Don’t Wait for Disaster: Why Your Institution Needs a Business Continuity Plan Now

Are you struggling to get leadership support for your continuity plans? You’re not alone. Many institutions face challenges in securing buy-in from leadership, yet the COVID-19 pandemic proved beyond doubt that those who had a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place faced far fewer disruptions than those who didn’t.

Institutions that prioritized continuity planning before the pandemic were able to seamlessly shift to digital environments, maintaining operations and protecting students and faculty. Those that didn’t? They scrambled—resulting in administrative chaos, disrupted learning, and financial losses. Don’t let that happen to your institution.

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The High Cost of Not Being Prepared

The National Center for Campus Public Safety (NCCPS) reported that, as of 2016, only 36% of more than 420 institutions had an existing BCP. Fast forward to 2020, and the lack of preparedness was evident. Universities without continuity plans struggled with ad hoc solutions, technology gaps, and financial strain, leading to faculty burnout and student dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, institutions like Boston University, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and Sacramento State, which had BCPs in place, navigated the pandemic with far fewer disruptions. These institutions used Kuali Ready, a higher-ed-focused continuity planning tool, to ensure operational resilience.

Boston University’s Proactive Approach

Boston University, which had already integrated Kuali Ready for continuity planning, was able to maintain critical functions and transition quickly when unexpected events arose. According to Stephen Morash, Director of Emergency Management at Boston University, having an automated and scalable BCP system meant that leadership could quickly identify critical functions, develop workarounds, and implement remote work strategies without disruption.

CSUMB’s Push for Engagement and Accountability

At CSUMB, continuity planning was once a fragmented process—with outdated plans and a lack of institutional engagement. By implementing Kuali Ready, the university streamlined its continuity planning, ensuring that department leaders took ownership of their plans and remained accountable for updates. This proactive approach enabled CSUMB to recover more quickly from disruptions, reducing downtime and ensuring academic continuity.

Sacramento State’s Real-World Readiness

Sacramento State recognized the importance of BCPs beyond just IT recovery—it needed plans that accounted for physical campus disruptions, such as wildfires and floods. Through Kuali Ready, the university customized its BCPs to fit academic and operational needs, ensuring flexibility in response to various crisis scenarios.

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The COVID-19 Wake-Up Call: What We Learned

The pandemic was a stress test for universities worldwide. Institutions that had robust BCPs in place before COVID-19:

✅ Transitioned quickly to online learning
✅ Had clear communication strategies for students and faculty
✅ Protected institutional revenue streams by maintaining operations
✅ Minimized academic disruptions

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On the other hand, universities that lacked preparedness:

❌ Scrambled to implement virtual learning with untested platforms
❌ Faced leadership indecision and slow response times
❌ Suffered financial losses due to operational shutdowns
❌ Lost student trust, leading to lower retention rates

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Getting Leadership On Board: The Key to Successful BCPs

One major hurdle to business continuity planning is leadership buy-in. As Matthew Hart of Tufts University emphasized, “If a BCP isn’t on leadership’s radar, it won’t be on anyone else’s.” Without leadership support, continuity planning remains an afterthought rather than a strategic necessity.

How to Secure Leadership Support for a BCP

1. Tie Business Continuity to Institutional Success

• Highlight how a BCP protects revenue, reputation, and student satisfaction

2. Showcase Real-World Disruptions

• Use COVID-19, cybersecurity threats, and campus incidents as case studies to illustrate the need for preparedness.

3. Leverage Data and Reports

• Share statistics on institutions that successfully navigated crises due to strong BCPs.

4. Use a Scalable, Easy-to-Implement Solution

• Introduce tools like Kuali Ready, which simplify planning and ensure ease of use across departments.

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Don’t Wait for the Next Crisis—Act Now

COVID-19 won’t be the last disruption higher education faces. From natural disasters to cyberattacks and financial crises, institutions must be prepared to maintain operations under any circumstances.

• Boston University saw firsthand how business continuity planning enhances institutional resilience.
• CSUMB increased engagement and accountability, ensuring that continuity plans remain up to date.
• Sacramento State customized its BCPs for various real-world threats, ensuring long-term preparedness.

Don’t let your institution be caught off guard. Get your leadership on board and implement a robust business continuity plan today.

🔗 Learn more about how Kuali Ready can help: Kuali Ready Overview