In May 2020, Ad Astra partnered with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to provide a live webinar series on course scheduling in the time of COVID-19. The goal was to provide actionable, data-informed strategies and resources for academic leaders who want to move to long-term planning for academic operations in a financially responsible manner while still attending to the short-term realities of an uncertain fall semester. Parts I and II focused on short-term strategies to impact summer and fall 2020. Parts III and IV focused on long-term planning strategies.
The details of each webinar, including a list of the distinguished panelists and moderators, are included below. We are pleased to present the recordings of these webinars in the Academic Planning Resource Center under the AASCU Webinar Series tab.
Course Scheduling in the Time of COVID-19 Part I: Practical Strategies for Fall 2020 Scheduling
Now more than ever, chairs, deans, and provosts must use data in revising the course schedule to respond to changes in students’ needs, enrollment, and financial pressures. This webinar will provide concrete and practical strategies that academic leaders can take to adjust the course schedule to reduce costs without inhibiting students' progress toward their degrees.
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Course Scheduling in Time of COVID-19 Part 2: Monitoring Course Registration and Responding in Real-Time to Enrollment Fluctuations
Despite best efforts to plan for fall 2020 and beyond, campuses are anticipating significant, but unpredictable, fluctuations in enrollment. Responding in real-time to those changes is as important as ever to support student success and remain fiscally responsible. Monitoring registration and refining the course schedule is paramount. This webinar will provide strategies to help institutional leaders monitor registration and respond effectively to enrollment changes.
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Course Scheduling in Time of COVID-19 Part 3: Enrollment and Academic Program Health Planning
Over time, the course schedule has become more complex due to multiple variables such as the number of campuses, restricted day/evening cohort programs, online-only offerings, and accelerated programs. Attempts to meet the various needs of students and faculty may fragment the schedule, dispersing students among several courses rather than concentrating enrollment in fewer options. This webinar will help chairs, deans, and provosts use data strategically to plan the course schedule.
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Course Scheduling in Time of COVID-19 Part 4: Using the Course Schedule to Strategically Manage Financial Sustainability
Many institutions are grappling with how to sustain academic excellence in a time of constrained resources. Since academic decisions drive most of the costs and revenue at an institution, course and academic program data are essential for leaders to make strategic decisions about the future. This webinar will introduce actionable short- and long-term strategies for using the course schedule and academic program data to manage efficiencies while improving student success.
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