Situation:
The sudden and unprecedented impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) created unique and critical planning challenges for UBC. SDS, in direct partnership with Planning and Institutional Research (PAIR), was engaged by the Provost’s Office to understand:
- To what extent might COVID-19 disrupt the delivery of academic programming and for how long?
- What might the financial impact of this disruption be to UBC?
- What corresponding mitigation strategies could be deployed to offset the financial impact?
Our Actions:
- Articulated three overarching enrolment scenarios, largely characterized by the mode of program delivery in each academic term of the fiscal year
- Consulted with key subject matter experts in admissions & recruitment, Graduate Studies, and Faculties to develop a more fulsome understanding of enrolment impact
- Devised an enrolment and tuition revenue model for each scenario, with drivers at the institution, campus, and Faculty level
- Identified key mitigation strategies with stakeholders, and estimated the impact on enrolment and tuition revenue
Results:
- Scenario impact assessment that directly supported Executive, Board and Faculty leadership-level key decision making
- Broad participation across UBC, including all Faculties, in planning efforts ensured greater degree of support for findings
- Enhanced information sharing across campuses and units
- Model and templates for further analysis
SDS and PAIR's collaboration on scenario modeling was a key part of UBC's planning efforts in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The scenarios allowed us to 'face the music' about what might lie ahead."
– Andrew Szeri, Provost and Vice-President Academic