2012
Online Education
A Look Inside Independence University
Jason Anderson
2/15/2012
Independence
University
Memo
To:
Ms. D
From: Jason Anderson
CC:
Salt Lake Community College students
Date:
2/6/2016
Re:
Analytical report
Dear Ms. D:
I have compiled this report as you requested on the corporate culture of a chosen career field.
The company that I chose to report on is my current employer Independence University.
This report will give you an idea of what it is like working for Independence University in an
online education setting.
Founded in 1978 as California College for Health Sciences and now known as Independence
University, we have been offering degrees in the healthcare field for more than 30 years.
Through my research this report will give you an understanding of what the corporate culture
is like at an online education provider. The report includes information about the rules and
regulations, management style, working environment, dress code, organizational behavior,
incentives, code of ethics, and technical writing style.
Sincerely,
Jason Anderson
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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to gain perspective about the culture of Independence University and
its corporate environment. In this paper the topics that will be exposed are the rules and
regulations, management style, working environment, dress code, organizational behavior,
incentives, code of ethics, and technical writing style that are used at the University.
As a current employee and Associate Director of Admissions at Independence University, I have
firsthand experience about the organizational culture in an office setting,as well as on the
corporate level.
Being a part of this culture as a representative of an accredited University, I recognize that I have
certain responsibilities toward students, the public, and the University; and will share the policies
and guidelines that are established by the University, the Department of Education, the
Accrediting Commission and any other legal agencies as well as the overall culture of the school.
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Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1
Methodology ....................................................................................................................................1
Electronic Text……...……………………………………………………………………..1
Printed Text………………………………………………………………………………..1
Empirical Sources..………………………………………………………………………..1
Results and Discussion ....................................................................................................................2
Code of Ethics……………………………………………………………………………..2
Work Environment………….………………………..……….…………………….……..3
Atmosphere……...………….………………………..……….…………………….……..3
Management...…...………….………………………..……….…………………….……..4
Writing Style………….………...………………..…………….…..……….……………..5
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................5
References ........................................................................................................................................6
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Introduction
Online education is becoming increasingly popular; Independence University takes students a
step in that direction in offering career online educational programs in a convenient manner that
meets the needs of today's busy adult. Our prospective students are typically working adults with
families. They save time not having to travel to a campus and by not having to think about what
class they should enroll in next. They can log into their courses any time of day, meaning that it
gives students flexibility with their school schedule. They obtain their degree and begin their
careers quicker than with the traditional college experience. This report is intended to give an
inside perspective about what the culture is like at an online education institution in
Independence University. The best way to understand the culture of the University is to be able
to see how the inside operations function at the college.
Methodology
In researching Independence University there are three different ways or methods that I went
about to gather information for this report. The first is using electronic resources, including
Independence Universities’ website to understand what programs are offered and also see the
mission statement to know what can be expected from the University. The second are print
resources; this includes materials around the office such as the code of ethics materials, rules and
regulations and any publications that pertain to the University. The third is empirical sources,
this is where I spoke with and interviewed fellow employees in person and got their perspective
about what it is like working here. The reason for gathering this information about the University
in each area is so that you do not have a limited view of about Independence University.
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Results and Discussion
“At Independence University, we are dedicated to helping our students graduate and get a much better
job sooner. We focus on educating people for careers. Our goal is for our students to achieve success
in career-oriented programs that will culminate in satisfactory career placement in entry-level
positions in their field of work or advancement in their current employment.”(Independence, 2012)
Respiratory Therapy and Healthcare Managementare a few educational programs for students to
choose from that will help the student get started into a great healthcare field.
One of the many reasons that Independence University feels that students can be successful in their
program of study is because of the level of support that is given to each student from the faculty to the
admissionsdepartment. One way that the University has strived to help prospective students is by the
Code of Ethics that each advisor in the admissions department is to follow. A brief description of their
Code of Ethics will help you understand how they treat each student that takes interest in their
programs at the University.
Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics according to the University (2012) is to be studied and discussed by admissions
consultants, financial planners, and all those who interact with prospective students. The idea is not to
memorize, but to understand why each of these parts of the code is important. Admissions Consultants
and Financial Planners are to do their best to honestly help prospective students change their lives.
They are to never abandon a prospective student entrusted to their care. It is an Admissions
Counselors responsibility to positively promote the University, to never criticize the staff, the
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University, or other colleges or universities to prospective students. The Admissions Department is
responsible to continually expand their knowledge of the University and its programs, accreditation
and hone their skills, read, learn, and apply the policies and procedures of the University. They are to
act professionally and reflect the highest credit upon themselves, the University, and private
education.
Work Environment
The physical layout of the office is a sea full of cubicles, each one decorated by the employee to
help them feel as “at home” as possible. There is one large conference room, three meeting
rooms, a lunch room and the director’s office. The meeting rooms are available for managers to
have one on one meeting’s with each other and their employees. The reason that most of the
management team does not have their own office is so that they are out on the floor being
actively involved with their staff and building relationships with their employees. The overall
atmosphere is that of a sales floor. You hear a constant buzz, with Admissions Consultants on
the phone with perspective students discussing the program of interest for each student that they
talk with, helping them evaluate what will be the best program and how it will coincide with the
educational goals of the student.
Atmosphere
At work we treat one another with respect, but we are jovial and always willing to help someone
who needs a smile. Along with individual goals for each employee, we enjoy motivational
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competitions within “Mini-Teams” on the floor. This enhances the feeling of community while
incentivizing top performers.
Each morning we share “Good News” from either our personal or professional lives. We
celebrate in each other’s successes and support one another in our dreams. Twice a week we
hold “Recharge Meetings,” which allows everyone to get together for a 15 minute activity to
blow off steam.
We also like to have a good time in the office; teasing and office pranks are common. From
favorite desk items being ‘desk-napped’ and held for ransom, to switching keyboards with
neighboring employees, we always find time to sneak just a little bit of fun into our work day.
Management
Management rewards the employees with not only prizes for the Mini Team contests, but also
rewards for each employee who reaches their individual goal to help recognize those that do an
exceptional job.Management is also responsible to meet with each Admissions Counselor every
month to reflect on each time they have students start. In these meetings they review the
Admissions Counselors performance to ensure they are performing all of their necessary duties,
obligations, and are following all rules and regulations. Calls are monitored on a regular basis by
management to ensure that policies are being followed.
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Writing Style
Independence University uses a variety of writing styles, but “Informal” may be the best way to
summarize it. Because we are an online university, we attempt to be as paperless as possible.
We mainly work in emails and reports, such as Excel or Google Docs. The reason that it is more
of an “Informal” writing style within the organization is because you work closely with each
department daily and you become familiar with each department and their duties in a short
amount of time. A more formal approach is taken when Admissions Counselors are
communicating with their students. Admissions Counselors emails to their students are formal
emails and are directed from a more authoritative position in order to keep a professional
relationship with the students and help them accomplish the educational goals they have set for
themselves.
Conclusion
I feel that Independence University is a rewarding career and a great place to work. Although the
stress levels are high, Admissions Consultants help new students enroll into school every month;
it can be very rewarding knowing that we are helping individuals reach their educational
goals. The University is more interested in enrolling quality students who are motivated to
graduate and begin their careers than focusing on how many enrollments we can secure each
month. As an Admissions Consultant, the training you receive is not that of an “order taker.”
Rather, you are taught the necessary skills a qualified salesperson needs in the environment of
higher education.
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References
Independence University, (2012):About Independence University. Retrieved from
http://www.independence.edu/about-us
Human resources (2012):Code of ethics. Independence University
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