Case Studies for Higher Education Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leading in

Tough

Times

Workbook

Case

 

Studies

 

for

 

Higher

 

Education

 

Leaders

 

 

By Brent D. Ruben and Susan Jurow

About

 

the

 

Authors

 

Brent   D.

  Ruben   is   executive   director   of   the   University   Center   for   Organizational   Development   and  

Leadership   and   distinguished   professor   of   communications   at   Rutgers   University.

 

 

Susan   Jurow   is   leadership   consultant   for   the   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business  

Officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NACUBO   would   like   to   thank   Lumina   Foundation,   an   Indianapolis ‐ based   private   foundation   dedicated   to   expanding   access   to   and   success   in   education   beyond   high   school,   for   supporting   this   project,   and   in   particular   Kevin   Corcoran,   Lumina   program   director.

 

 

The   authors   would   like   to   acknowledge   and   thank   Donna   Klinger   for   her   editorial   assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©   2012   by   NACUBO  

 

All   rights   reserved.

  No   portion   of   this   publication   may   be   reproduced   or   transmitted   in   any   form   or   by   any   means,   electronic   or   mechanical,   including   photocopying,   recording,   or   by   any   information   storage   and   retrieval   system,   without   permission   in   writing   from   the   publisher.

 

National   Association   of   College    and   University   Business   Officers  

Washington,   DC   www.nacubo.org

 

 

2   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

 

Table   of   Contents  

Using   This   Workbook…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4  

South   Ridge   State   College:   Role   of   the   Chief   Business   Officer……………..…………….……………………..7

 

Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study………………….………………………………………….………………………7  

Case   Study…………………………………….…………………………………………….………………………………………8  

Recorder’s   Form………………..……………………………………………..……………………………………………….14

 

Skyline   State   University:   Travel   Policy   Procedures   and   Practices   Task   Force………………….………..15

 

  Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study………………………………….………………………..………..…………….15

 

Case   Study………………………………………………………..…..…………………………………..………………………16  

Recorder’s   Form………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………24  

Samuel   Waters   College:   Budget   Futures   Summit   Retreat………………………………………………………..25

 

        Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study…………….…………………………………..…………………………………25  

Case   Study………………………………….……………….…………………………………………………………………….26

 

    Recorder’s   Form……………….…………………………….…………………………………………………………………32  

Reginald   Murphy   College:   Gender   Equity   Issues………………………….………………………………………….33

 

         Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study……………………………….…………….……………………………………33  

Case   Study…………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………….34

 

Recorder’s   Form………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………..40

 

Timberline   University:   Art   Gallery   Faculty   Exhibits   Program   Controversy…………….…….…………..41

 

          Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study……………………………………………………….………………………..41

 

Case   Study………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………42  

Recorder’s   Form………………………………….…………………………………….…………………………………….49

 

San   Pedro   College:   Staff   Productivity   and   Morale………………………….….……………………………………50  

          Abbreviated   Version   of   Case   Study………………………………………………….………………………………50  

Case   Study……………………………………………………………….………………………..…………………………….51

 

Recorder’s   Form…………………………………………………….………………………………..………………………56

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

3  

Using   This   Workbook  

In   these   uncertain   times,   campus   stakeholders   must   learn   to   make   the   best   decision   possible   in   ambiguous   situations   where   there   is   less   than   optimal   information   available   and   the   outcome   cannot   be   predicted.

   

The   case   studies   in   this   workbook   focus   on   financial,   cultural,   and   ethical   issues   that   have   occurred   on   many   campuses.

   They   raise   issues   that   are   not   easily   addressed   or   that   are   resistant   to   easy   consensus.

   They   provide   opportunities   to   practice   nimble   decision   making   and   engender   a   sense   of   shared   responsibility.

  The   higher   education   community   can   use   these   case   studies   in   a   variety   of   ways   to   focus   attention   and   foster   discussion   on   operational   and   strategic   concerns.

 

Campus   leaders   can   engage   their   constituents   in   substantive   discussions   about   the   impact   of   the   issues   raised   by   these   case   studies   on   their   campus,   helping   faculty,   trustees,   and   administration   develop   consensus   about   priorities   for   engagement,   levels   of   resources   required,   and/or   the   need   for   reallocation   of   resources.

   The   cases   also   can   be   used   in   a   teaching   or   training   environment.

   Because   these   cases   outline   contemporary   campus   issues,   they   are   useful   in   either   a   higher   education   administration   degree   program   or   a   leadership   training   program   managed   by   a   campus   or   higher   education   association.

 

Case   Study   Defined  

A   case   study   is   a   realistic   scenario   that   outlines   management   and/or   technical   problems   and   challenges   in   a   way   that   provides   practical   experience   with   how   best   to   approach   and   solve   them.

   It   describes   a   situation,   and   then   raises   questions   to   enhance   a   participant’s   understanding   of   the   range   of   issues   that   need   to   be   addressed.

   It   permits   the   participant   to   propose   and   test   solutions   and   strategies   in   a   “safe”   environment,   one   that   does   not   have   immediate   and   practical   consequences.

   

 

Case   studies   improve   a   learning   experience   because   they   get   the   participants   involved   and   encourage   immediate   use   of   newly   acquired   skills.

   They   help   participants   develop   skills   that   they   can   use   in   the   workplace.

   The   skill   set   may   include:  

 

Problem   identification   and   definition   

Analyzing,   understanding,   and   interpreting   data   

Analytical   and   critical   thinking    o

Recognition   of   assumptions   and   inferences   

Exercising o

  judgment

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Making   and   defending   decisions   

Understanding   interpersonal   relationships   

Communicating   ideas   and   opinions   

 

A   case   study   may   include   some   or   all   of   the   following:  

Setting   the   scene    o

Details   of   the   organization   o o

Description   of   the   players   or   stakeholders    

Outline   of   the   particular   challenge   or   problem   

Available   resources,   if   any   

Issues   in   the   work   environment   that   might   affect   the   project   

 

Case   Study   Components  

The   case   studies   in   this   workbook   have   five   parts:  

 

1.

Short   and   Long   Versions:   Each   case   study   is   provided   in   two   forms,   so   that   their   use   can   be   tailored   to   the   time   available   for   discussion.

  

 

2.

Recorder’s   Form:   A   form   is   provided   for   each   case   study   to   help   guide   discussion,   to   track   group   consensus   for   reporting   to   a   larger   group,   and   to   collect   group   discussion   for   further   analysis   if   desired.

 

 

3.

Discussion   and   Interactive   Options:   These   sections   within   the   case   studies   suggest   thought  

  provoking   questions   and   provide   guidance   for   managing   a   dialogue   on   the   topic.

 

 

4.

Debriefing   (Themes   and   Leadership   Competencies):   The   situations   in   these   case   studies   reflect   issues,   strengths,   and   flaws   found   in   most,   if   not   all,   organizations.

   The   case   studies   are   designed   to   focus   on   leadership   competencies   that   can   and   should   be   exhibited   at   all   levels   of   the   organization   to   mitigate   weaknesses   and   support   organizational   effectiveness   and   achievement.

   The   competencies   suggested   in   these   case   studies   are   tied   to   What  

Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do   by   Dr.

  Brent   Ruben,   published   by   NACUBO,   2006.

 

 

5.

Readings:   Additional   readings   are   suggested   for   those   who   are   interested   in   developing   a   greater   understanding   of   the   topic   under   discussion.

 

Examples   of   Uses  

These   case   studies   can   be   used   in   several   ways.

   The   most   appropriate   approach   will   depend   on   the   subject   matter,   the   time   available,   and   the   desired   outcome.

   The   more   time   expended,   the   greater   the   depth   of   comprehension,   skill   utilization,   and   personal   investment   in   the   goals   of   the   organization   are   likely   to   occur.

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

5  

One   Hour.

  With   a   short   amount   of   time,   a   presentation   or   individual   reading   of   the   case   can   be   followed   by   a   session   of   questions   and   answers   to   give   a   group   the   opportunity   to   clarify   and   enhance   their   understanding   of   the   topic   under   discussion.

  This   might   be   open ‐ ended   or   more   carefully   structured   with   specific   questions   designed   to   focus   participants   on   particular   aspects   of   the   problem   or   challenges   in   the   case.

  

Two   Hours.

  With   more   time,   case   studies   can   be   used   effectively   in   small   groups   to   deepen   the   discussion   and   insights.

   In   this   situation,   the   case   studies   are   first   read   and   discussed   by   small   groups,   using   worksheets   to   direct   the   dialogue.

   The   responses   of   each   group   are   reported   to   the   larger   group   in   a   plenary   setting,   and   similarities   and   differences   in   problem   definition   and   approach   can   enhance   the   participants’   appreciation   of   the   challenges   inherent   in   the   scenario   and   their   ability   to   think   through   the   various   ways   of   meeting   them.

 

 

Four   Hours.

  With   additional   time   and   preparation,   role   playing   can   be   introduced   into   the   case   studies.

   Participants   can   be   asked   to   consider   the   situation   from   the   perspective   of   different   stakeholders   and   to   present   that   individual’s   concerns   and   point   of   view.

  

 

 

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South   Ridge   State   University   Case   Study:  

Role   of   the   Chief   Business   Officer  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

 

 

The   Setting  

South   Ridge   State   College   (SRSC)   is   a   comprehensive   state   institution   with   an   enrollment   of   22,000   primarily   undergraduate   students.

   As   with   many   colleges   and   universities,   SRSC   is   experiencing   difficult   years   financially.

    State   support   has   been   declining  

  for   higher   education   and   other   state ‐ funded   agencies   and   activities.

   

To   address   the   state   funding   situation,   SRSC   has   increased   tuition   and   student   fees   substantially   in   recent   years   –   to   the   point   where   this   has   become   a   topic   in   the   local   media.

   Because   of   the   budget   situation,   the   university   has   imposed   a   temporary   hiring   freeze   for   the   current   academic   year,   which   will   likely   continue   for   at   least   another   year.

   There   will   be   no   salary   increases   this   year,   and   last   year   faculty   and   staff   increases   were   limited   to   contractual   payments   due   for   faculty   promotions.

   Campus   leaders   remain   optimistic   about   the   long ‐ term,   but   they   do   not   expect   the   situation   to   improve   in   the   next   several   years.

   Student   tuition   and   fees   will   have   to  

  increase   considerably   to   help   address   the   situation.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

In   your   capacity   as   CBO,   a   colleague   in   the   budget   office   mentions   to   you   that   she   has   heard   from   her   son—who   attends   SRSC   and   is   a   member   of   the   Student   Life,   Campus   Programming  

Committee—that   the   committee   is   planning   to   use   student   fees   to   hire   a   controversial   television   reality   show   star   as   an   evening   entertainer   for   the   annual   new   student   orientation.

  

 

You   understand   that   the   proposed   fee   is   $30,000.

 

 

Discussion  

1.

What,   if   any,   issues   are   of   concern   for   you?

  

2.

What   constituencies   might   be   concerned?

   What   might   their   concerns   be?

 

3.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   do   or   say,   and   to   whom?

   What’s   your   rationale?

 

4.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   think   should   be   done?

  Why?

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

7  

 

South   Ridge   State   University   Case   Study:  

Role   of   the   Chief   Business   Officer  

 

 

Background  

South   Ridge   State   University   (SRSU)   is   a   comprehensive   state   institution   with   an   enrollment   of   22,   000   primarily   undergraduate   students.

   A   majority   of   students   major   in   liberal   arts,   although   there   is   growing   enrollment   in   business,   communication,   and   education   degree   programs.

   SRSU   attracts   a   majority   of   its   students   from   within   the   state,   drawing   most   heavily   from   the   six   counties   surrounding   Ridge,   a   town   of   45,000,   which   is   the   county   seat   and   location   of   SRSU.

   Middletown,   population  

 

155,000,   is   located   33   miles   to   the   northeast.

   

State   support   to   SRSU   has   been   declining   in   recent   years,   and   it   appears   this   pattern   is   likely   to   continue.

   These   problems   are   not   unique   to   South   Ridge,   or   to   higher   education   in   the   state,   for   that   matter.

   In   fact,   all   state ‐ funded   agencies   are   going   through   difficult   times.

   The   challenges   to   SRSU   are   compounded   by   difficult   housing   and   job   markets   in   the   Ridge ‐

Middletown   area   that   show   few   signs   of   improvement.

  Exacerbating   the   gloomy   financial   outlook   is   the   flood   of   articles   and   stories   in   local   media   reminding   the   community   of   their   difficulties,   pointing   to   the   need   for   spending   cutbacks   on   public   sector   activities,   and   contributing   to   a   lack   of   confidence   in   local   and   state   leaders.

 

 

SRSU   has   offset   cuts   in   state   funding   with   rather   substantial   increases   in   tuition   and   student   fees   in   recent   years,   and   that,   too,   has   received   local   media   attention.

   One   recent   editorial   page   article   in   the   Middletown   Messenger ,   titled,   “Is   SRSU   Tone   Deaf?”   recounts   the   trend   of   tuition   increases,   noting   that   in   most   years   increases   at   South   Ridge   surpassed   state   cuts   to   the   institution,   and   arguing   that   the   university   must   begin   a   more   fundamental   reexamination   of   its  

  mission   and   operations   and   rethink   its   approach   to   fiscal   management.

 

The   article   calls   upon   the   SRSU   administration   to   respond   to   their   challenges   as   a   business   would,   by   refocusing   and   reprioritizing   rather   than   continually   raising   the   cost   of   products   and   services   –   tuition.

   The   editorial   severely   criticizes   SRSU’s   commitment   to   revenue ‐ generating   varsity   sports,   and   questions   whether   what   were   called   “the   excessive   expenditures   on   athletics”   make   sense   in   the   current   climate.

  “A   business   would   ask   how   athletics   contributes   to   the   core   mission   of   the   enterprise,   and   if   the   answer   is   that   the   contribution   is   peripheral,   then   the   activity   would   be   eliminated   or   downsized.

   Why   should   the   approach   be   any   different   in   higher   education?”    The   article   also   criticizes   the   use   of   “allegedly   scarce   resources   to   offer  

 

  courses   and   sponsor   events   that   have   no   demonstrable   educational   value.”  

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Viewed   from   the   perspective   of   the   leaders   of   SRSU,   changes   are   being   made   to   increase   efficiency   and   effectiveness   and   to   be   responsive   to   fiscal   and   public   pressures.

   In   this   regard,  

South   Ridge   leadership   has   decided   to   implement   a   temporary   hiring   freeze   for   the   current   academic   year,   and   it   will   likely   be   continued   for   at   least   another   year.

   There   have   been   no   salary   increases   this   year,   and   last   year   faculty   and   staff   increases   were   limited   to   contractual   payments   due   for   faculty   promotions.

   Campus   leaders   remain   optimistic   about   the   long   term,   but   they   acknowledge   that   there   is   no   reason   to   expect   the   situation   to   improve   in   the   next   several   years.

   Clearly,   salaries   and   vacated   positions   can’t   be   frozen   indefinitely,   and   overhead   and   administrative   costs   continue   to   rise.

   SRSU’s   leaders   clearly   see   that   student   tuition   and   fees   will   have   to   be   increased   considerably   in   the   years   ahead   to   help   address   the   shortfall.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

 

As   the   senior   financial   and   administrative   officer,   you   have   a   number   of   thoughts   on   the   challenges   facing   SRSU.

   You   understand   that   the   fiscal   pressures   are   real   and   are   unlikely   to   dissipate   soon.

   You   also   understand   the   basis   of   the   critique   that   the   institution   is   not   necessarily   being   run   as   a   business   would   be,   and   you   can   appreciate   the   view   of   those   who   point   to   the   need   to   streamline   and   focus   on   the   mission ‐ critical   activities   necessary   to   educate   tomorrow’s   workforce.

   However,   you   also   understand   and   can   appreciate   the   “academic”   view   that   public   higher   education   was   never   envisioned   to   be   a   business   in   the   usual   sense   of   the   term   and   that   it   has   a   special   mission   within   society.

   It   should   serve   not   only   the   employment   needs   of   students   and   parents,   but   also   should   advance   knowledge,   promote   general   education   and   critical   thinking,   and   should   thereby   further   the   values   of   a   democratic   society.

   It   also   should   serve   the   community   at   large.

 

 

The   essential   challenge   you   face   as   chief   business   officer   is   determining   how   to   reconcile   the   various   economic   and   marketplace   cross ‐ pressures   that   confront   the   institution   and   deciding   how   to   act   most   appropriately   on   your   insights.

   So,   for   example,   what   responsibility—if   any— do   you   have   in   promoting   a   leadership   team   discussion   of   and/or   response   to   the   critique   that   the   university   is   not   being   run   using   sound   business   practices   or   the   attack   on   athletics?

   When   you   hear   about   decisions   being   made   that   seem   to   reinforce   the   idea   that   higher   education   is  

“tone   deaf”   to   the   fiscal   realities   and   marketplace   perceptions,   what   responsibility,   if   any,   do  

  you   have   to   address   these   issues?

 

Here’s   one   recent   example:   A   colleague   in   the   budgeting   office   mentions   to   you   that   she   has   heard   from   her   son—who   attends   SRSU   and   is   a   member   of   the   Student   Life,   Campus  

Programming   Committee—that   the   committee   is   planning   to   use   student   fees   to   hire   a   controversial   television   reality   personality   as   evening   entertainment   for   the   annual   new   student   orientation.

   You   understand   that   the   proposed   fee   is   $30,000,   all   of   which   will   come   from   a   student   fees   set ‐ aside   account.

    

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

9  

 

You   are   aware   that   the   show   and   the   celebrity   in   question   have   received   a   fair   amount   of   public   criticism,   particularly   from   conservative   organizations,   for   the   “excessively   liberal”   approach   to  

  sexual   activity   and   drug   use   portrayed   on   the   program.

  

 

Discussion  

Take   20   minutes   to   prepare   a   plan   for   how   best   to   address   the   potential   hiring   of   a   controversial   television   celebrity.

   As   a   group,   consider   what   principles   would   guide   your   thinking—as   an   individual,   as   a   member   of   the   senior   administration   of   the   institution,   and   as   the   chief   financial   officer.

   As   chief   financial   officer,   what   responsibility,   if   any,   do   you   have   to   raise   concerns   relative   to   this   pending   decision?

   What   factors   would   you   consider   in   arriving   at   a   decision   in   the   matter?

   If   you   decided   it   was   appropriate   to   “raise   concerns,”   what   process  

  would   be   most   appropriate?

  

 

 

Interactive   Options  

1.

The   facilitator   can   provide   reactions   to   the   draft   plan   submitted,   raise   questions,   raise   concerns,   describe   possible   consequences,   and/or   add   additional   information   for   consideration.

   

 

2.

Depending   on   goals   of   the   session,   the   time   available,   and   the   size   of   the   group,   the   process   can   be   structured,   so   that   participants   share   responses   across   multiple   tables   and   analyze   common   themes,   differences,   and   similarities.

 

 

3.

Additional   information   or   time   pressures   can   be   introduced,   and   the   group   can   be   asked   to   develop   a   plan   to   address   them.

 

 

4.

The   facilitator   can   introduce   an   additional   context   or   higher   level   issue   for   consideration.

   These   issues   might   include   feedback   that   indicates   a   significant   concern   on   the   part   of   the   faculty   or   threats   from   the   state   legislature   regarding   potential   consequences   if   the   celebrity   is   hired.

   

 

 

Debriefing  

 

Themes  

Chief   Business   Officer   Role:    What   is   the   CBO’s   role?

   To   what   extent   do   the   responsibilities   of   the   role   extend   to   matters   that   occur   outside   of   the   scope   of   activities   of   the   individuals   who   report   directly   to   you?

 

 

• Leadership   Principles   and   Values:   What   principles   and/or   values   should   guide   day ‐ to ‐ day   decision ‐ making   by   senior   leaders   in   general   and   CBOs   more   specifically?

   In   situations  

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  where   one’s   principles   and   values   don’t   necessarily   point   in   the   same   direction   or   action,   how   should   one   prioritize?

 

 

• Role   Expectations:    In   a   situation   such   as   the   one   described,   what   are   the   risks   and   negative   consequences   of   enacting   your   role   in   a   manner   that   doesn’t   align   with   other’s   ideas   about   what   your   role   should   be?

   What   possible   benefits   and   positive   consequences   may   result?

    Are   the   strategies   available   that   may   help   to   mitigate   the   risks?

 

 

• Culture:    In   what   ways   is   the   culture   of   an   institution   and   of   higher   education   in   general,   an   important   consideration   in   making   a   decision   about   how   to   handle   a   situation   like   this?

   What   differences,   if   any,   between   the   academic   and   administrative   cultures   are   likely   to   come   into   play   with   this   type   of   issue?

   How   can   these   differences   be   best   addressed?

 

 

 

Communication   and   Language:   If   you   decided   to   address   the   issue,   what   process   would   be   most   appropriate?

  With   whom   would   you   communicate   and   in   what   sequence,   and   what   channels   would   you   think   most   appropriate   in   this   instance?

  In   what   ways   are   communication   style,   word   choice,   message   content,   and   tone   important   considerations   for   a   leader   who   chooses   to   address   an   issue   such   as   this   one?

 

In   this   case,   what   are   some   words   and   phrases   that   might   be   emphasized,   such   as  

“potential   benefits   for   all,”   “avoid   reinforcing   a   view   of   ‘institutional   tone ‐ deafness’”,  

“potential   teaching   and   learning   moment   for   student   leaders   if   they   are   involved   in   a   discussion   of   risks   and   benefits   of   the   decision”   and   others   that   should   probably   be   used   with   caution,   such   as   “PR   consequences   of   moving   forward”   and   “political   sensitivities”   in   talking   about   this   project   because   they   may   be   red   flags   for   particular   groups   on   campus   such   as   the   faculty.

 

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

 

• Self ‐ assessment:   In   this   instance,   as   more   generally,   it   is   important   to   begin   a   task   with   some   critical   self ‐ reflection   to   identify   one’s   leadership   principles,   values,   and   responsibilities   associated   with   a   particular   role.

   Also   important   to   consider   are   one’s   comfort   level   in   addressing   the   situation   and   possible   institutional   and   personal   consequences,   as   well   as   strategies   for   preparing   and   presenting   one’s   ideas   if   a   decision   is   made   to   address   the   issue   in   some   way.

   

 

• Problem   Definition:    In   what   ways   is   problem   definition   and   problem   clarity   particularly   critical   for   situations   like   this   one?

   Is   action   required?

   From   what   perspectives   is   this   a  

“problem”   that   requires   CBO   action?

   Are   there   perspectives   of   this   situation   that   lead   to   a   conclusion   that   it   is   not   a   problem,   or   at   least,   not   a   CBOs   problem?

   How   can   reflecting   on   the   issue   of   problem   definition   be   helpful?

 

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• Credibility   and   Influence:   What   credibility   issues   may   be   influences   in   a   situation   such   as   this   one?

   What   might   be   done   to   enhance   both   credibility   and   influence   should   a   decision   be   made   to   address   the   issue?

 

 

• Stakeholder   Analysis:    In   situations   such   as   this,   there   are   a   number   of   stakeholders   to   be   aware   of   and   to   be   concerned   about—stakeholders   who   will   hear   and   react   to   your   words   and   actions   (if   you   decide   to   address   the   issue)   What   are   some   of   the   most   critical   constituency   groups,   what   issues   will   likely   be   of   particular   importance   to   each   group,   and   how   might   these   concerns   be   addressed?

 

 

 

• Communication,   Problem ‐ Solving,   and   Engagement:    If   you   decide   to   address   the   issue,   how   do   you   proceed?

   How   do   you   decide   who   to   communicate   with,   in   what   sequence,   and   using   what   channels?

   Giving   particular   attention   to   identifying   the   most   appropriate   sequence   and   messages   for   each   stakeholder   group   would   be   quite   important   to   the   success   of   your   efforts,   and   to   minimizing   negative   consequences.

 

 

Tolerance   for   Uncertainty   and   Risk   Taking:    Voicing   your   concerns   in   an   instance   such   as   this   may   represent   a   departure   from   present   practice—yours   or   the   institution’s.

   If   that   is   the   case,   in   what   ways   and   for   whom   will   issues   of   uncertainty   tolerance   and   change   management   come   into   play,   and   what   strategies   may   be   helpful   in   diminishing   negative   consequences,   and   in   fact,   reinforcing   the   likelihood   of   future   actions   of   a   similar   type   by   you   and   others   in   leadership   positions.

 

 

Teamwork   and   Collaboration:    How   might   the   handling   of   this   situation   contribute   to,   or   detract   from,   a   sense   of   community   and   teamwork   within   the   institution’s   leadership?

  

What   approaches   might   contribute   to   positive   outcomes   in   this   regard?

 

 

Crisis   Management:    In   a   case   such   as   this   one,   what   are   the   potential   crisis   management   challenges   that   could   result   if   the   scenario   proceeds   as   planned?

   How  

  might   an   understanding   of   the   dynamics   of   crisis   management   help   lead   to   the   adoption   of   preventative   strategies?

 

 

 

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Readings  

Becker,   E.,   and   Wortmann,   J.

   Mastering   Communication   at   Work .

  New   York:   McGraw ‐ Hill,  

2009.

 

 

The   Chronicle   of   Higher   Education .

  “What   the   Hell   Happened   to   College   Sports?

   And   What  

Should   We   Do   About   It?”   December   11,   2011.

  http://chronicle.com/article/What ‐ the ‐ Hell ‐ Has ‐

Happened ‐ to/130071/  

 

Hignite,   Karla.

  “Stewards   by   Nature,”   Business   Officer   Magazine ,   December    2011,   pp.

  19 ‐ 25.

 

 

Kotter,   J.

  P.

  What   Leaders   Really   Do .

  Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School   Press,   1999.

 

 

Kotter,   J.

  P.

  Urgency ,   Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School   Press,   2008.

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  What   Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do:   A   Leadership   Competencies   Scorecard .

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2006.

 

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Understanding,   Planning,   and   Leading   Organizational   Change .

  Washington,   DC:  

 

National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2009.

 

Stone,   D.,   Patton,   B.,   and   Hen,   S.

  Difficult   Conversations.

  How   to   Discuss   What   Matters   Most .

  

New   York:   Penguin,   1999.

 

 

Walaski,   P.

  Risk   and   Crisis   Communication:    Methods   and   Messages .

  New   York:   John   Wiley,  

 

2011.

 

Zdziarski,   E.

  L.,   Dunkel,   N.

  W.,   Rollo,   J.

  M.

  Campus   Crisis   Management   A   Comprehensive   Guide   to   Planning,   Prevention,   Response   and   Recovery .

   San   Francisco:   Jossey ‐ Bass,   2007.

 

 

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Recorder’s   Form  

South   Ridge   State   University  

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

What,   if   any,   issues   are   of   concern   for   you?

  

 

 

2.

What   constituencies   might   be   concerned?

   What   might   their   concerns   be?

 

 

 

 

 

3.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   do   or   say,   and   to   whom?

   What’s   your   rationale?

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   think   should   be   done?

   Why?

 

 

 

5.

Are   there   issues   or   principles   you   can   generalize   from   this   case?

 

 

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

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Skyline   State   University   Case   Study:  

Travel   Policy   Procedures   and   Practices   Task   Force  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

 

The   Setting  

Skyline   State   University   (SSU)   is   a   comprehensive   public   institution   founded   in   1922.

   With   an   enrollment   of   26,000   students   and   its  

4,300   faculty   and   staff,   SSU   plays   a   very   significant   educational   role   in   its   city   and   region.

   Skyline   meets   a   broad   array   of   educational   needs   through   its   undergraduate,   graduate,   and   continuing   professional   education   schools.

   Like   many   other   institutions,   the   university   faces   significant   budget   challenges   in   the   period  

  ahead,   and   the   situation   is   unlikely   to   improve   in   the   foreseeable   future.

   

Organizationally,   SSU   has   two   major   divisions:   1)   the   Office   of   the   Senior   Vice   President   for  

Academic   Affairs   to   which   all   academic   deans   and   directors   report   as   well   as   the   leaders   of   other   academic,   student,   and   academic   support   functions,   and   2)   the   Office   of   the   Senior   Vice  

President   for   Administration   and   Finance   to   which   budgeting,   procurement,   facilities,   human  

  resources,   public   safety,   auxiliary   services,   and   all   other   administrative   areas   report.

 

 

The   Challenge  

SSU’s   president   has   decided   to   form   an   Administrative   Efficiencies   Advisory   Group,   to   be   headed   by   the   senior   vice   president   for   business   and   finance.

   Its   mandate   is   to   conduct   a   university ‐ wide   review   of   administrative   operations   and   to   identify   areas   where   potential   savings—time,   human   resource,   and   dollar—can   be   realized.

   The   senior   vice   president   of   business   and   finance   has   identified   travel   as   an   area   with   many   potential   opportunities   for   efficiency   and   cost   savings.

   He   has   appointed   you,   the   new   director   of   purchasing,   who   has   just   arrived   at   the   institution   from   a   corporate   setting,   to   head   the   Travel   Policy   Task   Force,   charged   with   “reviewing   current   travel   policies   and   practices   and   procedures,   and  

  recommending   change   to   enhance   efficiency   and   effectiveness.”    

In   informal   conversations   with   colleagues,   you   learn   that   travel   policies   and   practices   have   always   been   handled   in   a   decentralized   manner,   which   is   consistent   with   the   university’s   culture.

  Faculty   and   staff   make   their   own   travel   arrangements,   pay   for   travel   themselves,   and   then   submit   requests   for   reimbursement.

   Based   on   your   experience,   you   know   that   SSU  

  could   cut   expenses   by   standardizing   and   centralizing   travel   policies   and   procedures.

 

Discussion  

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   as   you   see   it?

 

2.

What   do   you   propose?

   Why?

 

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  Skyline   State   University   Case   Study:  

Travel   Policy   Procedures   and   Practices   Task   Force  

 

 

 

Background  

Skyline   State   University,   like   many   other   institutions,   faces   significant   budget   challenges,   and   there   are   few   signs   that   the   situation   will   improve   in   the   foreseeable   future.

   

 

SSU’s   president   has   decided   that   she   will   soon   form   an   Administrative   Efficiencies   Advisory  

Group   (AEAG)   to   be   headed   by   the   senior   vice   president   for   business   and   finance.

   The   mandate   to   the   AEAG   is   to   conduct   a   university ‐ wide   review   of   administrative   operations   and   to   identify   areas   where   potential   savings—time,   human   resource,   and   dollar ‐‐ can   be   realized.

   Once   potential   targets   for   savings   are   identified,   the   AEAG   will   develop   a   list   of  

  high ‐ priority,   high ‐ return   improvement   projects.

   

The   senior   vice   president   of   business   and   finance   will   then   form   broadly   inclusive   project   task   force   groups,   which   will   be   charged   with   conducting   an   analysis,   identifying   options,   and   making   recommendations   on   a   plan   of   action   for   each   targeted   area   for   improvement.

   The   details   of   the   structure   and   process   are   still   being   worked   out.

 

 

You   are   the   newly   hired   assistant   vice   president   for   purchasing   and   procurement.

  You   come   to   SSU   with   private   sector   experience   and   have   a   number   of   ideas   about   areas   where   more   efficiency,   better   operations,   and   reduced   costs   are   possible.

  Travel   is   one   area   in   which   you  

  see   many   possible   cost   and   time   savings.

 

Talking   informally   to   colleagues   in   preparation   for   this   effort,   you   learn   that   faculty   and   staff   work ‐ related   travel   policies   and   practices   have   always   been   handled   in   a   decentralized   manner,   which   is   consistent   with   the   general   administrative   traditions   of   the   institution.

  

This   means   that   faculty   and   staff   throughout   the   institution   make   their   own   travel   arrangements,   pay   for   travel   themselves,   and   then   submit   requests   for   reimbursement.

  

Based   on   your   experience   in   the   travel   area,   it   is   clear   to   you   that   SSU   could   save   considerable   money   if   the   travel   policies,   procedures,   and   practices   were   standardized   and  

  centralized.

 

You   schedule   a   meeting   with   the   senior   vice   president,   to   whom   your   report,   to   share   your   thinking.

  The   senior   vice   president   is   excited   by   your   ideas   and   sees   this   as   a   perfect   pilot   project   given   the   upcoming   AEAG   effort   that   will   soon   be   implemented.

   He   decides   to   form   a   Travel   Policy   Task   Force   Committee   (TPTF)   charged   with   “reviewing   current   travel   policies   and   practices   and   procedures   and   recommending   change   to   enhance   efficiency   and   effectiveness.”    Cognizant   of   your   experience   and   appreciative   that   you   have   taken   the  

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initiative   to   bring   the   idea   forward,   he   has   decided   to   name   you   to   head   this   important   pilot   initiative.

   You   are   flattered   by   the   confidence   implied   by   the   appointment,   and   you   begin  

  thinking   about   the   task   ahead.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

The   senior   vice   president   asks   you   to   develop   a   draft   plan   for   the   task   force   and   to   share   it   with   him   before   work   begins.

   The   draft   is   to   include   an   agenda   for   the   first   three   meetings,   outlines   of   initial   memos   or   communication   that   might   be   needed,   a   list   of   materials   that   might   be   distributed   to   the   campus,   and   a   list   of   major   deliverables   and   milestones   in   the   work   of   the  

  group   with   target   dates   for   each.

 

 

Your   task   force   will   be   a   campuswide   group   including   the   following   tentative   list   of   members,   none   of   whom   you   know:  

• University   auditor   

Assistant   director,   budgeting   

Administrative   assistant,   facilities   

Assistant   director,   athletics   

Distinguished   professor,   biology   

Dean,   School   of   Communication   

Academic   department   chair,   public   policy  

Assistant   professor,   School   of   Business   

Associate   vice   president   for   academic   affairs   

• Associate   director,   university   media   relations   

• Assistant   director,   information   technology   

 

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Skyline

 

State

 

University

 

Profile

 

 

Skyline   State   University   (SSU)   is   a   comprehensive   public   institution   founded   in   1922.

   With   an   enrollment   of   26,000   students   and   its   4,300   faculty   and   staff,   SSU   plays   a   very   significant   educational   role   in   the  

Capital   City   and   the   region.

 

 

Skyline   meets   a   broad   array   of   educational   needs   through   its   undergraduate,   graduate,   and   continuing   professional   development   schools   and   major   programs   in   arts   and   sciences,   business,   communication,   public   and   community   administration,   health   and   allied   health   sciences,   education,   and   performing   arts.

  

 

The   institution’s   mission   emphasizes   teaching   and   learning,   research   and   scholarship,   and   service   and   outreach.

  Growing   emphasis   is   being   placed   on   research/scholarship   grants,   and   training   contracts   are   becoming   an   increasingly   important   source   of   funding   for   the   work   of  

  the   institution.

  

Organizationally,   SSU   has   two   major   divisions:   1)   the   Office   of   the  

Senior   Vice   President   for   Academic   Affairs   to   which   all   academic   deans   and   directors   as   well   as   leaders   of   other   academic,   student,   and   academic   support   functions   report,   and   2)   the   Office   of   the   Senior   Vice  

President   for   Administration   and   Finance   to   which   budgeting,   procurement,   facilities,   human   resources,   risk   management,   public   safety,   auxiliary   services,   and   all   other   administrative   areas   report.

 

 

 

 

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Discussion  

Take   40   minutes   to   prepare   a   draft   plan.

   As   a   group,   consider   what   advice   you   might   give   to   the   assistant   vice   president   about   how   best   to   proceed   with   this   project.

   Consider   both   the   perspectives   of   the   people   who   will   serve   on   the   task   force   and   the   campus   community   who   will   be   asked   to   make   significant   changes   to   the   manner   in   which   they   undertake   a   basic  

  function.

 

 

 

Interactive   Options  

1.

The   senior   vice   president   (the   facilitator)   can   provide   reactions   to   the   draft   plan   submitted,   raise   questions   and   concerns,   describe   possible   consequences,   and/or   add   additional  

  information   for   consideration.

   

2.

Depending   on   goals   of   the   session,   the   time   available,   and   the   size   of   the   group,   the   process   can   be   structured,   so   that   participants   share   responses   across   multiple   tables   and   analyze  

  common   themes,   differences,   and   similarities.

 

3.

Additional   information   or   time   pressures   can   be   introduced,   and   the   assistant   vice   president   for   purchasing   and   procurement   can   be   asked   to   develop   a   plan   to   address   them.

 

 

4.

The   senior   vice   president   (the   facilitator)   can   introduce   an   additional   context   or   higher   level   issue   for   consideration.

   These   issues   might   include   feedback   to   the   senior   vice   president   from   his   academic   counterpart   that   indicates   faculty   concern   that   the   new   approach   is   being   too   aggressively   pushed   without   sufficient   campuswide   consultation   or   cost ‐ benefit   analysis.

   Alternatively,   questions   of   the   AVPP’s   credibility   due   to   his   lack   of   higher   education   experience   could   be   raised.

 

 

 

Debriefing  

 

Themes  

Planning:    What   are   the   critical   elements   in   planning   for   an   initiative   like   this   one?

   Why?

  

 

• Preparation:    What   kind   of   preparation   is   helpful   for   task   force   members?

   What,   if   any,   background   materials,   information,   and/or   assignments   should   be   shared   with   task   force   members,   and   when   is   it   most   appropriate   to   do   so?

 

 

• Stages:    What   are   the   critical   and   predictable   stages   a   task   force   will   go   through?

 

 

• Leadership   Style:   What   leadership   style   or   approach   is   most   appropriate   for   this   kind   of   project?

   Does   the   value   or   impact   of   a   particular   style   or   approach   vary   with   the   stage  

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  of   the   effort?

   How   so?

   What   leadership   competencies   are   particularly   helpful   in   this   kind   of   scenario?

 

 

• Sponsorship:    What   role   does   ownership,   sponsorship,   and/or   endorsement   by   senior   administrators   play   in   the   success   of   a   project   such   as   this?

   At   what   stages,   with   whom,   and   in   what   ways   should   this   level   of   engagement   be   communicated?

   What   should   be   the   content   and   frequency   of   ongoing   communication   between   the   leader   of   the   task   force   and   the   project   sponsor?

 

 

• Culture:    What   are   differences   between   the   academic   and   administrative   culture?

   How   might   these   differences   come   into   play   in   a   project   like   this   one?

   What   leadership   strategies   are   helpful   in   addressing   these   differences?

 

 

Vision:   In   what   ways   is   it   helpful   or   detrimental   for   the   task   force   leader   to   begin   the   initiative   with   a   clear   vision   that   she   shares   at   the   outset   with   colleagues   on   the   task   force?

   What   elements   of   a   vision   are   likely   to   be   helpful?

 

 

Meeting   Climate:   What   should   be   the   ideal   climate   for   the   first   meeting?

   What   can   be   done   by   the   task   force   leader,   with   the   room   setup,   in   pre ‐ meeting   communication,   etc.

  to   increase   the   likelihood   that   this   climate   will   emerge?

 

 

Delegation   and   Roles:    How   might   roles   and   responsibilities   be   structured   within   this   task   force?

 

 

Timeline:   Should   a   timeline   of   milestones   or   deliverables   be   established,   and   if   so,   when   and   how?

 

 

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

Experience,   Expertise,   Familiarity   with   Task,   Language   and   Vocabulary:    Experience,   expertise,   and   familiarity   with   travel   policy,   procedures,   and   efficiencies   are   all   significant   assets   for   this   project.

 

 

Knowledge   of   Sector:    Lack   of   extensive   knowledge   of   higher   education   may   be   a   detractor,   either   in   fact   or   in   the   perceptions   of   others.

   Being   attentive   to   potential   barriers   this   lack   of   knowledge   and   experience   may   create   will   be   important   in   leadership   of   each   phase   of   the   project.

 

 

• Self ‐ assessment:   As   assistant   vice   president   of   purchasing   and   procurement,   it   is   important   to   recognize   strengths   and   vulnerabilities.

   You   can   easily   recognize   experience   and   expertise   that   is   relevant   to   the   problem.

   Others   may   question   the  

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  applicability   of   that   experience   because   it   derives   from   the   corporate   sector.

   For   some,   this   background   could   be   seen   as   a   liability.

  

 

• Problem   Definition:    One’s   first   impression   may   be   that   the   primary   problem   in   this   case   relates   to   developing   a   new   set   of   procedures   and   policies.

   In   fact,   overcoming   cultural   traditions   such   as   decentralization   is   the   more   critical   challenge.

   Unless   the   traditions   of   centralization   and   faculty   autonomy   are   considered,   it   is   unlikely   that   any   solution,   no   matter   how   efficient   and   effective,   will   be   embraced.

 

 

• Stakeholder   Analysis:    This   case   features   many   key   stakeholders:    the   senior   vice   president,   members   of   task   force,   the   senior   administration,   departmental   administrators,   staff   members,   faculty   members,   travel   providers,   IT   support   personnel,   and   others.

   Each   of   these   groups   will   be   affected   by   potential   changes;   each   will   have   a   stake   in   the   new   approach.

   Identifying   the   needs   and   concerns   of   each   group   and   addressing   them   as   a   part   of   the   process   will   help   to   assure   the   eventual   acceptance   of   the   plan.

 

 

Analysis   of   Technology:    Communication   and   information   technology   will   be   important   considerations   as   they   relate   to   gathering   and   disseminating   information   as   a   part   of   the   planning   process   and   in   the   implementation   process.

 

 

Enthusiasm,   Personal   Conviction,   and   Persistence:    Maintaining   and   displaying   enthusiasm,   personal   conviction,   and   persistence   will   be   helpful   as   a   team   leader,   particularly   since   the   new   policies   and   procedures   will   likely   move   in   directions   new   to   team   members   and   the   university   community.

   Persistence   and   patience   will   be   critical   because   the   pace   of   change   in   higher   education   is   predictably   slower   with   more   consultation   than   in   comparable   problem ‐ solving   situations   in   corporate   settings.

 

 

Tolerance   for   Uncertainty   and   Risk   Taking:    Because   new   policies   and   procedures   are   likely   to   differ   from   tradition,   it   will   be   important   to   convey   and   encourage   a   high   comfort   level   with   the   exploration   of   new   paths   and   approaches.

 

 

• Credibility   and   Influence:   Establishing   credibility   will   be   a   key   success   factor.

   Being   named   the   task   force   leader   by   the   senior   vice   president   is   likely   to   be   helpful;   perceptions   of   the   Administrative   Efficiencies   Advisory   Group   (AEAG)   initiative   are,   as   yet,   unclear.

   Credibility   can   be   enhanced   by   sharing   personal   background   with   the   task   force   in   a   low ‐ key   way   and   conveying   the   belief   that   working   closely   with   colleagues   can  

  be   helpful   in   enhancing   the   utility   of   this   knowledge.

   To   address   the   concerns   of   those   who   question   the   relevance   of   corporate   experience,   the   key   will   be   to   establish   credibility   and   influence   through   insights   and   good   work   rather   than   through   asserting   credentials.

 

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Interpersonal   and   Group   Orientation;   Listening,   Question ‐ Asking,   and   Learning:   These   competencies   are   always   vital   in   group   problem   solving   situations.

   Listening   to   and   learning   from   task   force   members   and   others   in   the   community   will   help   to   identify   needs,   questions,   concerns,   impediments,   and   opportunities   to   be   leveraged.

   It   also   will   help   to   identify   which   individuals   are   potential   sources   of   support   or   resistance.

 

 

• Vision   Setting:    Vital   to   the   successful   leadership   of   this   task   will   be   helping   to   keep   the   team   and   the   campus   focused   on   a   vision   of   what   is   possible   and   how   the   outcome   will   be   beneficial   to   the   institution,   faculty,   and   staff.

 

 

• Management   and   Facilitation:    Competencies   in   this   area   are   important   in   the   planning,   preparation,   coordination,   and   guidance   of   the   work   of   the   task   force   and   its   interaction   with   various   campus   constituencies.

   Effective   planning   and   implementation   of   pilot   projects   are   critical   to   the   success   of   the   overall   project,   in   this   case,   the   Administrative  

Efficiencies   Advisory   Group   (AEAG)   initiative.

   They   help   to   identify   attributes   and   problems   with   the   identification   and   implementation   of   useful   new   policies   and   procedures,   and   to   build   grass   roots   support   for   the   larger   effort.

 

 

Information   and   Knowledge   Management:    An   important   facet   of   project   leadership   is   to   determine   what   information   to   share   with   whom   and   when.

   Many   critical   decisions   will   need   to   be   made   relative   to   sharing   technical,   best   practices,   and   process   information   with   task   force   members   and   also   with   the   campus   community.

  

 

 

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Readings  

HigherEdUtah.org.

  2011   Efficiency   Report .

  July   14,   2011     http://www.higheredutah.org/2011 ‐ efficiency ‐ report/  

 

Kotter,   J.

  P.

  Urgency ,   Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School   Press,   2008.

 

 

Lederman,   Doug.

  Maintenance   Over   Management:    A   Survey   of   Business   Officers .

  Inside   Higher  

Ed ,   July   6,   2011.

  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/survey/maintenance ‐ over ‐ management ‐ survey ‐ business ‐ officers  

 

“New   Ways   to   Create   Savings.”    Business   Officer   Magazine .

   September   2011.

   http://www.nacubo.org/Business_Officer_Magazine/Magazine_Archives/September_2011/Sou thern_Disclosure/New_Ways_to_Create_Savings.html

 

 

OhioHigherEd.

   Efficiencies,   2010 .

  http://www.ohiohighered.org/efficiencies  

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  What   Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do:   A   Leadership   Competencies   Scorecard .

 

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2006.

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Understanding,   Planning,   and   Leading   Organizational   Change.

  Washington,   DC:  

National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2009.

 

 

Strober,   M.

  H.

  Communicating   Across   the   Academic   Divide.

  The   Chronicle   of   Higher   Education ,  

 

January   2,   2011.

 

Tromp,   S.

  A.,   and   Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Strategic   Planning   Higher   Education .

  Washington,   DC:   National  

Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2010.

 

 

University   of   California ‐ Berkeley.

  Operational   Excellence   2012 ,  

  http://oe.berkeley.edu/process/index.shtml

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

23  

Recorder’s   Form  

Skyline   State   University  

 

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   as   you   see   it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

What   do   you   propose?

   Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

What   issues   or   principles   can   you   generalize   from   the   case?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

24   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Samuel   Waters   College   Case   Study:  

Budget   Futures   Summit   Retreat  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

 

 

The   Setting  

Tight   budgets   are   the   reality   at   Samuel   Waters   College   (SWC)   again   this   year   as   they   are   at   so   many   colleges   and   universities.

   With   endowment   balances   showing   only   modest   gains,   and   other   sources   of   support   flat   or   trending   downward,   even   moderately   aggressive   tuition   increases   have   not   allowed   SWC   to   maintain   level   funding.

   

For   the   past   several   years,   when   funding   shortfalls   were   more   modest,   SWC’s   approach   was   to   ask   faculty   and   staff   to   minimize   waste   and   improve   efficiency   within   their   own   departments.

  

SWC’s   budgeting   approach   constituted   minor   savings   from   these   requests   coupled   with   across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   in   operating   budgets,   largely   in   administrative   areas,   and   annual   tuition   increases.

   Unfortunately,   cuts   in   operational   areas   and   peripheral   academic   services   have   resulted   in   work   overloads   and   poor   morale.

   Many   units   are   barely   able   to   fulfill   their   missions.

 

In   light   of   this   history,   news   that   SWC   is   heading   into   a   two ‐  to   five ‐ year   period   of   intensifying   economic   difficulty   is   particularly   troubling.

   The   customary   budget ‐ cutting   strategies   of    across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   (larger   on   the   administrative   side,   smaller   and   more   targeted   on   the   academic   side)   and   substantial   annual   increases   in   tuition   will   no   longer   be   satisfactory   to   carry   the   institution   through   the   challenges   of   the   next   several   years   and   beyond.

  

Your   Challenge  

To   address   daunting   circumstances,   President   Swanson   has   announced   that   he   will   host   a   two ‐ day   College   Budget   Futures   Summit   Retreat   at   his   home   in   three   weeks.

   He   has   asked   members   of   his   cabinet   to   come   prepared   to   present   their   views   of   how   SWC   should   consider   and   address   the   next   three   year   period,   given   that   across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   and   generic   calls   for  

“belt ‐ tightening”   will   no   longer   be   adequate.

 

 

 

Discussion  

1.

What   options   do   you   propose   for   consideration?

 

2.

What   are   the   benefits   and   downsides   associated   with   each?

 

3.

What   option   would   you   recommend?

   Why?

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

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25  

 

Samuel   Waters   College   Case   Study:  

Budget   Futures   Summit   Retreat  

 

Background  

 

Tight   budgets   are   the   reality   at   Samuel   Waters   College   (SWC)   again   this   year   as   they   are   at   many   colleges   and   universities.

   With   endowment   balances   showing   only   modest   gains,   and   other   sources   of   support   flat   or   trending   downward,   even   moderately   aggressive   tuition   increases   have   not   allowed   SWC   to   maintain   level   funding.

   

 

For   the   past   several   years,   when   funding   shortfalls   were   more   modest,   SWC’s   approach   was   to   ask   faculty   and   staff   to   look   for   ways   to   minimize   waste   and   to   improve   efficiency   within   their   own   departments.

   SWC’s   budgeting   approach   constituted   minor   savings   from   these   requests   coupled   with   across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   in   operating   budgets,   largely   in   administrative   areas,   and   annual   tuition   increases.

   Unfortunately,   cuts   in   operational   areas   and   peripheral   academic   services   have   resulted   in   work   overloads   and   poor   morale.

   Many   units   are   barely   able   to   fulfill   their   missions.

 

   

Tuition   increases   don’t   seem   to   be   the   answer.

   With   recent   increases,   SWC   is   now   near   the   upper   level   of   tuition   compared   to   its   peers.

   Even   with   the   current   tuition   levels,   the   perception—and   reality—of   the   institution’s   commitment   to   broad   access   are   increasingly   at  

  risk.

 

In   light   of   this   history,   news   that   SWC   is   heading   into   a   two ‐  to   five ‐ year   period   of   intensifying   economic   difficulty   is   particularly   troubling.

   The   customary   budget ‐ cutting   strategies   such   as   across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   (larger   on   the   administrative   side,   smaller   and   more   targeted   on   the   academic   side)   and   substantial   annual   increases   in   tuition   will   no   longer   be   satisfactory   to   carry  

  the   institution   through   the   challenges   of   the   next   several   years   and   beyond.

  

 

Your   Challenge  

To   address   daunting   circumstances,   President   Swanson   has   announced   that   he   will   host   a   two ‐ day   College   Budget   Futures   Summit   Retreat   at   his   home   in   three   weeks.

   He   has   asked   members   of   his   cabinet   to   come   prepared   to   present   their   views   of   how   SWC   should   consider   and   address   the   next   three ‐ year   period,   given   that   across ‐ the ‐ board   cuts   and   generic   calls   for  

“belt ‐ tightening”   will   no   longer   be   adequate.

 

 

Each   member   of   the   cabinet   has   been   asked   to   identify   and   briefly   describe   possible   options   that   the   institution   might   consider   to   address   this   mounting   crisis   and   to   provide   a   high ‐ level   cost ‐ benefit   analysis   for   each.

   In   developing   options,   each   cabinet   member   is   urged   to   be  

26   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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  creative   and   to   think   broadly   about   possibilities   related   to   structure,   programs,   revenues,   and   costs.

 

 

Members   of   the   EC   include   the   provost,   vice   president   for   administration   and   chief   financial  

 

  officer,   vice   president   for   student   affairs,   general   counsel,   vice   president   for   advancement,   and   vice   president   for   communication   and   public   affairs.

 

 

Discussion  

 

At   each   table,   one   person   should   represent   the   perspective   of   each   of   the   cabinet   members.

  

 

Take   15   minutes   to   prepare   a   response   to   the   questions   below.

 

1.

What   options   do   you   propose   for   consideration?

 

 

2.

What   are   the   benefits   and   downsides   associated   with   each?

 

3.

What   option   would   you   recommend?

   

4.

Why?

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

27  

 

Samuel

 

Walters

 

College

 

Profile

 

Samuel Walters College is an independent comprehensive liberal arts college, recognized for excellence in a variety of fields, and listed among the leading regional colleges by

U.S. News & World Report and Barron's Best Buys in College Education.

Founded in 1914, SWC’s 165-acre campus overlooks Greenway Valley Reservoir, and is located 50 miles east of Ellis City, with its population of 275,000.

SWC offers 52 B.A. programs, 15 M.A. programs, and various professional certificate programs taught by 250 full-time faculty and 400 adjuncts. Full-time undergraduate tuition is $31,000 and room and board costs are approximately $14,000 annually. The student body consists of 6,250 students, 4,500 of whom are undergraduates. Nearly

3,000 live on campus. SWC employs 475 faculty members and 460 administrative staff.

SWC facilities include 65 buildings, including 40 student housing facilities. In addition to the main campus, SWC has three satellite facilities and four overseas study and research sites operated in partnership with local higher education institutions.

Centralized administrative areas include: student affairs, budgeting and finance, legal affairs, human resources, payroll, alumni affairs, office of development and advancement, the library and information, planning and assessment services, university public affairs and media relations, IT, grants and contracts, and distance learning center.

Centralized services for students include: dining services (two full-service and two satellite locations); student life and services, housing (15 residence halls) and residence life, clubs and activities, college activities, health services, computer support, the computer store, religious and spiritual, and public safety.

The major academic units include: the School of Business (with three departments),

College of Liberal Arts (with 14 departments), School of Computer Science (3 departments), College of Communication (5 departments), College of Fine Arts (4 departments), College of Labor Studies (2 departments), College of Social and

Behavioral Sciences (5 departments), College of Natural and Life Sciences (6 departments), and the College of Law.

Each school and college also provides unit-based advising and career placement services, budgeting, human resources, IT services, student services, communication and public relations, and online courses and services.

 

 

28   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Each   individual   will   report   their   responses   to   the   group.

   The   group   will   take   15   minutes   to   decide   which   three   options   they   will   recommend   in   priority   order   to   the   president   and   the  

  rationale   for   their   choices.

   Be   prepared   to   discuss   the   process   used   to   make   the   decisions.

 

 

Interactive   Options  

1.

After   reviewing   suggested   options,   the   SWC   president   (the   facilitator)   can   provide   reactions   to   the   draft   plan   submitted,   raise   questions,   introduce   concerns,   describe   possible   consequences,   and/or   provide   further   information   for   consideration   such   as   an   additional   context   or   higher   level   issue.

 

 

2.

Depending   on   goals   of   the   session,   the   time   available,   and   the   size   of   the   group,   the   process   can   be   structured,   so   that   participants   share   responses   across   multiple   tables   and   analyze   common   themes,   differences,   and   similarities.

 

 

3.

One   or   several   of   the   proposed   options   may   be   selected   and   participants   asked   to   go   to   the   next   stage   of   planning—who   should   be   involved   with   leading   the   change   planning   and   implementation   effort,   what   communication   plans   should   be   developed,   how   the   new   approach   will   be   assessed,   and   other   details.

 

 

 

Debriefing  

 

Themes  

Planning:    What   are   the   critical   elements   to   be   considered   in   the   description   and   analysis   of   options   in   this   case?

 

 

Preparation:    What   kinds   of   preparation   (personal,   informational,   materials)   should   be   used   for   a   task   and   meeting   such   as   this   one   scheduled   by   the   president?

 

   

Goals:    What   personal,   professional,   and   institutional   goals   would   guide   your   thinking   about   and   preparation   for   the   event?

 

 

Culture:    In   what   ways   is   the   culture   of   an   institution   and   of   higher   education   in   general,   an   important   consideration   in   undertaking   this   kind   of   assignment?

   What   differences   between   the   academic   and   administrative   culture   are   likely   to   come   into   play   in   a   project   such   as   this   one?

   How   can   these   differences   be   best   addressed?

 

 

• Vision:   In   developing   and   advocating   options   for   major   change,   what   role   does   vision  

  play?

   How   should   this   perspective   be   taken   into   account   in   preparing   for   and   presenting   options   to   colleagues   in   a   case   like   this   one?

   

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

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29  

 

Communication   and   Language:   In   what   ways   are   communication   style,   word   choice,   message   content,   and   tone   important   considerations   for   the   leader?

  In   this   case,   what   are   some   words   and   phrases   that   might   be   emphasized   (e.g.,   “potential   benefits   for   all”   and   “greater   efficiency”)   and   others   that   should   probably   be   used   with   caution   (e.g.,  

“centralization”   and   “standardization”)   in   talking   about   this   project   because   they   may   be   red   flags   for   particular   groups    on   campus   (in   these   examples,   the   faculty).

 

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

 

• Self ‐ assessment:   In   this   instance,   as   more   generally,   tone   should   begin   a   leadership   task   with   some   critical   self ‐ reflection   to   identify   strengths,   vulnerabilities,   and   personal   goals,   and   to   consider   strategies   for   preparing   and   presenting   one’s   ideas.

   What   might   be   some   of   the   benefits   of   this   kind   of   reflective   process?

 

 

Experience,   Expertise,   and   Familiarity   with   Task:    In   this   case,   each   member   of   the   cabinet   will   have   extensive   experience   and   intimate   knowledge   of   his   or   her   own   areas,   but   more   limited   experience   and   knowledge   of   other   units.

   How   can   this   reality   be   addressed   in   the   planning   and   presentation   of   options?

   

 

Knowledge   of   Sector,   Information,   and   Knowledge   Management:   The   challenges   confronting   the   institution   in   the   case   study   are   not   unique,   and   a   wealth   of   information   describes   how   other   institutions   have   dealt   with   these   issues.

   Some   of   the   information   has   been   generated   by   higher   education   media,   such   as   The   Chronicle   of   Higher  

Education ,   Business   Officer   Magazine ,   and   Inside   Higher   Education .

   Consulting   companies,   colleges   and   universities,   and   regional   and   national   associations   have   generated   other   information.

   Having   a   familiarity   with   national   developments   and   being   able   to   consider   strategies   adopted   by   other   institutions   can   be   helpful   in   identifying   and   implementing   various   options.

 

 

Credibility   and   Influence:   What   credibility   issues   may   be   relevant   in   an   assignment   such   as   this   one?

 

 

• Problem   Definition:    In   what   ways   is   problem   definition   and   problem   clarity   particularly   critical   for   situations   like   this   one?

 

 

• Problem ‐ Solving   and   Engagement:    How   do   you   involve   other   leaders   and   the   campus   in   general   in   a   major   change   initiative?

   How   do   you   decide   who   to   involve   at   what   level?

 

 

• Stakeholder   Analysis:    There   are   a   number   of   different   stakeholders   to   be   aware   of   and   to   be   concerned   about   in   this   case—stakeholders   who   will   hear   and   react   to   your   options   and   stakeholders   who   will   ultimately   be   affected   by   the   proposals   that   will   be   adopted.

   Who   are   some   of   the   most   critical   constituency   groups,   what   issues   will   likely  

30   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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be   of   particular   importance   to   each   group,   and   how   might   these   concerns   be   addressed?

 

 

• Tolerance   for   Uncertainty,   Risk   Taking,   and   Change   Management:    Because   some   of   the   proposed   options   may   suggest   approaches   that   differ   dramatically   from   present   practice,   in   what   ways   and   for   whom   will   issues   of   uncertainty   tolerance   and   change   management   come   into   play?

    

 

Readings  

 

Becker,  

 

  E.,   and   Wortmann,   J.

   Mastering   Communication   at   Work.

  New   York:   McGraw ‐ Hill,   2009.

 

 

Kotter,   J.

  P.

  What   Leaders   Really   Do .

  Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School   Press,   1999.

 

 

Kotter,   J.

  P.

  Urgency .

  Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School   Press,   2008.

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  What   Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do:   A   Leadership   Competencies   Scorecard .

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2006.

 

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Understanding,   Planning,   and   Leading   Organizational   Change.

  Washington,   DC:  

 

National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2009.

 

 

 

Tromp,   S.

  A.

  and   Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Strategic   Planning   in   Higher   Education:   A   Leader’s   Guide.

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2010.

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

31  

Recorder’s

 

Form

 

Samuel

 

Waters

 

College

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   as   you   see   it?

 

 

 

2.

What   constituencies   might   be   concerned?

   What   might   their   concerns   be?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

What   do   you   propose?

   Why?

 

 

 

 

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

32   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Reginald   Murphy   College   Case   Study:  

Gender   Equity   Issues  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

 

 

The   Setting  

Reginald   Murphy   College,   located   in   the   foothills   of   the   Rocky  

Mountains,   enrolls   16,000   undergraduate   and   graduate   students   and   employs   just   over   4,000   faculty   and   staff.

   At   this   competitive   institution,   renowned   for   a   beautiful   campus   and   exceptional   facilities,   the   curriculum   emphasizes   liberal   arts.

  

The   college   takes   particular   pride   in   its   congenial   and   welcoming   culture,   and   its   many   programs   that   emphasize   collaboration,   collegiality,   and   good   will   among   faculty,   staff,   and   students.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

 

Creating   a   welcoming   and   equitable   environment   for   all   staff   has   always   been   both   a   personal   and   professional   goal   for   you,   and   you   take   pride   in   having   achieved   that   climate   in   your  

  administrative   area.

   

Last   week,   one   of   the   senior   administrators   in   your   unit,   Gerry   Watson,   came   to   you   to   share   a   recent   conversation   she   had   with   Jane   Martinez.

   Jane   approached   Gerry   to   discuss   her   concerns   about   diversity   issues   and   especially   the   treatment   of   women.

   Her   perception   is   that   women   are   not   treated   equally   in   hiring,   promotion,   and   professional   development.

   She   also   feels   that   women   are   marginalized   by   golf   outings,   workplace   conversations   about   sports,   and  

“working”   lunches   organized   and   attended   primarily   by   the   men   in   the   office.

   She   also   observed   that   men   talk   considerably   more   than   women   in   meetings,   and   she   believes   this   is   because   men   are   more   likely   to   have   their   comments   and   suggestions   taken   seriously.

 

 

At   the   conclusion   of   the   meeting   with   Gerry,   you   expressed   appreciation   for   the   conversation   and   indicate   that   you   need   to   give   the   matter   some   thought.

   Because   of   your   commitment   to   a   cordial   and   equitable   workplace   and   your   assessment   that   things   are   functioning   well   in   this   regard,   these   comments   surprise   and   trouble   you.

 

Discussion  

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   and/or   problems?

   

2.

What   strategies   would   you   employ   to   address   them?

 

3.

Who   would   you   include   in   your   process?

   Why?

 

4.

What   process   would   be   appropriate?

   What   is   your   rationale?

 

5.

Are   there   principles   that   you   can   generalize   from   this   case?

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

33  

 

Reginald   Murphy   College   Case   Study:  

Gender   Equity   Issues  

 

 

Background  

Reginald   Murphy   College   (RMC),   located   in   the   foothills   of   the  

Rocky   Mountains,   enrolls   16,   000   undergraduate   and   graduate   students   and   employs   just   over   4,000   faculty   and   staff.

   At   this   competitive   institution,   renowned   for   a   beautiful   campus   and   exceptional   facilities,   the   curriculum   emphasizes   the   liberal   arts.

  

The   college   also   offers   a   number   of   professional   programs.

   

 

Among   the   distinctive   features   of   RMC   is   the   particular   emphasis   on   creating   a   congenial   and   collaborative   learning   environment.

   The   college   explicitly   recognizes   the   institution’s   commitment   to   collaboration ,   collegiality   and   respect   in   its   slogan   “Reginald   Murphy   College…  

Where   collaboration,   collegiality   and   respect   for   others   are   core   values.”    The   slogan   is   posted   on   the   RMC   website   and   in   prominent   locations   in   many   buildings.

  

 

Consistent   with   these   values,   welcoming   activities   for   students—and   for   faculty   and   staff—are   extensive.

   The   college   has   a   number   of   residential   learning   communities   where   collaborative   learning   is   emphasized.

   Within   student   affairs   and   campus   life,   the   RMC   ideals   are   also   a  

  conscious   focus   of   attention.

 

Faculty   “collegiality”   is   a   familiar   concept   in   describing   ideals   of   faculty   life,   and   “collaboration”   is   often   mentioned   in   position   descriptions   for   staff.

   Moreover,   service   to   the   RMC   college   community   is   a   highly   valued   and   recognized   component   of   appointment   and   promotion   reviews   for   all   employees.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

 

You   serve   as   vice   president   of   administration   and   finance.

   Five   associate   vice   presidents   report   directly   to   you   and   serve   as   members   of   your   senior   leadership   team—Rich   Jerow,   Toni   Brown,  

Jane   Martinez,   Marvin   Rice,   and   Gerry   Watson.

   Each   associate   vice   president   has   from   two   to  

  four   directors   reporting   to   them.

   

You’ve   worked   at   RMC   for   26   years,   and   you’ve   never   seriously   considered   leaving.

   You   enjoy   your   job   and   the   people   you   work   with.

   Your   leadership   team,   particularly,   is   a   source   of   great   pride   and   pleasure   for   you.

   You’ve   worked   to   build   a   strong   and   collaborative   team   and   have   tried   to   encourage   social   bonding   as   well   as   collaborative   work   relationships   among   members  

  of   the   group.

  

34   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Creating   a   welcoming   and   respectful   environment   for   all   staff   has   always   been   a   personal   and   professional   goal   for   you,   and   you   take   pride   in   having   achieved   that   climate   in   your   administrative   area.

   You   make   an   effort   to   be   explicit   about   your   commitment   to   the   institution’s   core   values,   are   confident   that   your   views   on   this   topic   are   well   known   to   the   five   associate   vice   presidents   and   others   in   the   division,   and   have   a   personal   commitment   to  

“walking   the   talk.”   

 

Last   week,   one   of   the   direct   reports   and   a   long ‐ time   friend,   Gerry   Watson,   came   to   you   to   share   parts   of   a   conversation   he   had   had   over   coffee   with   a   highly   regarded   senior   director   who   reports   to   a   member   the   leadership   team.

   Gerry   tells   you   that   the   individual   is   a   female   and   has   worked   in   the   division   for   less   than   five   years,   a   profile   which   could   describe   a   number   of   employees.

   He   says   he’ll   refer   to   her   by   the   fictitious   name,   “Jane”   to   honor   her   request   for  

  confidentiality.

   

Gerry   explains   that   during   the   course   of   the   conversation,   Jane   asked   about   the   seriousness   of   the   commitment   to   diversity   issues   especially   as   it   relates   to   women   within   the   Administration  

  and   Finance   area.

   

Jane’s   perception   is   that   women   in   the   Administration   and   Finance   division   are   generally   not   treated   in   the   same   way   as   men   in   hiring   and   promotion   decisions,   or   with   regard   to   professional   development,   and   she   made   reference   to   the   departure   of   several   women   with   great   potential   for   more   advanced   positions   elsewhere.

  

 

She   explained   that   she   also   saw   numerous   gender   inequities   and   insensitivities   in   day ‐ to ‐ day   work   practices   such   as   a   preoccupation   with   sports   in   the   workplace.

   She   referred   to   frequent   conversations   about   the   outcomes   of   sporting   events,   common   use   of   sports   analogies   in   meetings,   the   annual   divisional   softball   game,   and   occasional   afternoon   golf   outings,   all   of   which   are   primarily   “men’s   events.”    She   also   noted   the   fact   that   informal   meetings   are   often   scheduled   before   the   beginning   of   the   work   day   at   times   when   women   with   families   typically   find   it   difficult   to   attend.

   

 

Jane   also   thinks   that   men   speak   considerably   more   and   for   longer   periods   of   time   in   meetings   than   women,   and   she   believes   this   is   because   men   are   more   likely   to   be   asked   for   their   opinions   and   more   likely   to   have   their   perspectives   and   suggestions   taken   seriously   by   senior   leaders.

  

Additionally,   she   commented   on   the   nonverbal   communication   during   meetings,   sharing   her   observation   that   men,   regardless   of   their   roles,   are   far   more   likely   to   position   themselves   at   the  

  head   of   conference   tables   or   in   other   positions   of   prominence   in   meetings.

 

The   director’s   view   is   that   the   marginalization   of   women   she   described   is   probably   not   intentional   or   conscious,   but   it’s   troublesome   nonetheless.

   She   concluded   her   comments   by   noting   how   ironic   it   is   that   these   problems   would   be   prevalent   at   RMC   and   in   this   division   given   the   ideals   and   philosophies   of   the   institution   and   its   leaders.

   For   women,   she   said,   “the   rhetoric   and   reality   simply   don’t   seem   to   match.”  

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Knowing   your   feelings   about   the   importance   of   these   topics,   Gerry   felt   you   would   want   him   to   share   Jane’s   concerns   with   you.

   You   are   stunned   by   what   you   hear.

   You   ask   Gerry   for   his   take   on   the   situation.

   He   indicated   that   he   hadn’t   really   thought   previously   about   the   issues   the   director   had   shared   with   him,   but   that   she   seemed   very   genuine   and   thoughtful   in   her   comments.

   She   obviously   was   frustrated,   but   seemed   to   be   sharing   her   views   more   as   observations   on   the   contradictions   she   observed   in   the   division   than   out   of   anger   or   personal  

  resentment.

 

You   thank   him   for   the   bringing   these   issues   to   your   attention,   and   indicate   that   you   need   to   give   these   concerns   some   thought.

 

 

Discussion  

 

Take   30   minutes   to   prepare   a   plan   for   how   best   to   address   the   issues   that   have   been   raised.

   As   a   group,   consider   what   principles   would   guide   your   thinking  ‐  as   an   individual,   as   a   member   of   the   senior   administration   of   the   institution,   and   as   the   vice   president   of   administration   and   finance.

   What   do   you   see   as   the   problem,   or   problems,   here?

   What   process   should   you   follow   in   moving   forward?

   

 

Assessment  

 

Should   you   begin   by   gathering   information   to   assess   the   accuracy   of   the   perceptions,   or   take   their   accuracy   as   a   given?

   If   you   decide   to   gather   information   for   clarification   or   validation,   how   do   proceed?

   Here   are   several   options.

   Which   seem   most   appropriate?

   What   are   the   benefits   and   possible   risks   of   this   approach?

 

1.

Do   you   have   a   follow ‐ up   discussion   with   Gerry   after   you’ve   collected   your   thoughts?

 

2.

Do   you   ask   Gerry   to   urge   the   director   to   talk   to   you   personally?

   

3.

Do   you   talk   with   members   of   your   leadership   team   about   the   allegations   and   core   issues   and   values   involved?

   If   so,   do   you   discuss   the   matter   with   the   members   individually   or   as   a   group,   and   how   would   you   frame   the   discussion?

   

 

Thinking   broadly   about   information   gathering   strategies,   what   are   the   benefits   and   risks   of  

  talking   about   this   issue   with   either   the   director   or   others   in   the   division?

  

Are   there   other   options   for   clarifying   or   validating   the   issues?

   For   instance,   might   you   develop   a   strategy   of   consistent,   carefully   observation   and   analysis   of   conversations,   meetings,   and  

  planning   activities   within   the   leadership   team   for   a   fixed   period   of   time?

 

Action  

After   you   assess   the   situation,   how   do   you   proceed?

   If   you   were   to   conclude   that   Jane’s   perceptions   are   inaccurate   or   exaggerated,   what   strategy   would   you   adopt?

   If   you   were   to   conclude   the   many   of   the   issues   were,   in   fact,   valid,   how   would   you   proceed?

   What   would   be   your   short ‐ term   strategy   and   your   longer ‐ term   approach?

 

36   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Interactive   Options  

1.

The   facilitator   can   provide   reactions   to   the   draft   plan   submitted,   raise   questions   and   concerns,   describe   possible   consequences,   and/or   add   additional   information   for  

  consideration.

   

2.

Depending   on   goals   of   the   session,   the   time   available,   and   the   size   of   the   group,   the   process   can   be   structured,   so   that   participants   share   responses   across   multiple   tables   and   analyze  

  common   themes,   differences,   and   similarities.

 

3.

Additional   information   or   time   pressures   can   be   introduced,   and   the   group   can   be   asked   to   develop   a   plan   to   address   them.

 

 

4.

The   facilitator   can   introduce   an   additional   context   or   higher   level   issue   for   consideration.

  

For   example,   one   of   the   issues   in   this   case   may   be   that   the   administrator   has   chosen   an   implicit   rather   than   explicit   approach   to   supporting   equity   in   the   workplace.

  The   group   could   discuss   how   best   to   demonstrate   a   commitment   to   diversity,   equity,   and   inclusion.

  Is   a   policy   appropriate   or   needed?

  What   might   it   include?

 

 

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

Problem   Naming   and   Problem   Solving:    This   case   highlights   the   importance   of   problem   naming   (and   analysis)   as   a   precursor   to   problem   solving.

   In   situations   such   as   this,   determining   whether   there   is,   in   fact,   a   problem,   and   more   basically   deciding   how   to   gather   the   information   to   make   such   a   determination   may   be   as   much   a   challenge   as   figuring   out   how   to   address   the   problem   once   its   existence   is   confirmed.

   

 

• Crisis   and   Conflict   Management:    The   act   of   gathering   information   to   clarify,   prevent,   or   address   a   pending   crisis   could   inadvertently   create   or   exacerbate   one.

   The   challenge   is   to   adopt   a   strategy   that   helps   to   clarify   the   situation   and   any   problem(s)   that   exist,   without   creating   or   intensifying   the   situation.

 

 

• Sensitivity   to   and   Appreciation   of   Diversity   and   Workplace   Equity:    To   the   extent   that   equity   or   marginalization   exist   in   any   organization,   there   is   a   potential   to   undermining   morale,   and   also   having   an   adverse   affect   on   productivity,   the   quality   of   work,   and   retention   of   valued   employees.

  Skill   in   prevention,   early   detection,   and   skillful   intervention   to   address   these   issues   is   an   increasingly   important   leadership  

  competency.

 

Often,   issues   of   equity   are   subtle   and   apt   to   be   missed.

   Reactions   may   be   triggered   cultural   nuances   or   symbols.

   Adverse   responses   can   be   triggered   by   certain   types   of   events,   language,   analogies,   or   stories   that   are   common   within   an   organization,   or   by  

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

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37  

  verbal   and   nonverbal   communication   patterns   such   as   talk ‐ time   and   conversational   turn ‐ taking,   eye   contact   and   its   absence,   or   seating   patterns   at   meetings.

   

 

Because   organizational   cultures   and   practices   come   to   be   taken   for   granted   over   time,   those   with   longer   tenure   may   be   less   likely   to   recognize   circumstances   that   are   quite   apparent   and   troublesome   to   newer   employees.

   How   leaders   can   learn   from   the   perceptions   and   insights   of   newer   employees   without   sacrificing   the   continuity   provided   by   ongoing   traditions   and   the   experiences   of   longer ‐ tenured   employees   can   be   a   significant   challenge.

 

 

• Leadership   Values   in   Principle   and   Practice:    Across   a   variety   of   situations,   the   rhetoric   of   equity   and   core   values   is   far   less   powerful   than   the   realities   people   experience.

   Given   this,   the   congruence   between   values ‐ advocated   and   values ‐ practiced   is   vital   to   effective   leadership.

 

 

Communication   Strategy:   Open,   direct,   and   immediate   communication   are   not   always   the   most   effective   strategy   when   it   comes   to   addressing   organizational   problems,   particularly   when   the   issues   of   concern   are   subtle   and/or   deeply   embedded   in   the   traditions   and   culture   of   the   organization.

   The   use   of   indirect   and   subtle   communication   can   be   very   effective   in   introducing   and   promoting   fundamental   change.

  

 

In   some   instances,   a   “time ‐ release”   communication   strategy   is   required.

 

In   the   case   at   hand,   for   example,   if   RMC   leaders   determine   that   the   current   emphasis   on   sports   is,   in   fact,   a   potential   problem,   initiating   additional,   alternative   events   that   are   more   likely   to   be   seen   as   “gender ‐ neutral”   may   be   a   far   superior   strategy   than   talking   directly   about   the   problem,   or   summarily   ending   events   with   a   long   tradition   within   the   organization.

   Similarly,   changes   in   eye   contact,   seating,   and   language   use   can   become   conscious   communication   strategies   of   a   senior   leader.

  Modeling   a   change,   rather   than  

  talking   about   it,   an   indirect   communication   strategy,   may   be   less   disruptive   and   more   effective   in   the   long   run.

  

 

 

38   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

 

 

Readings  

Central   Michigan   University,   Office   for   Institutional   Diversity,   Strategic   Plan   for   Advancing  

Diversity:   Blueprint   for   the   21st   Century   and   Beyond,   August   2008.

  

 

DiTomaso,   N.,   &   Hooijberg,   R.

  “Diversity   and   the   Demands   of   Leadership,”   Leadership  

 

Quarterly .

  7(2):   163 ‐ 187,   1996.

 

Kossek,   E.

  E.

  &   Lobel,   S.

  (Eds.),   Managing   Diversity:   Human   Resource   Strategies   for  

Transforming   the   Workplace.

   Cambridge,   MA:   Blackwell,   1996.

 

 

Ross,   Howard.

  Reinventing   Diversity:   Transforming   Organizational   Community   to   Strengthen  

 

People,   Purpose   and   Performance .

  Lanham,   MD:   Rowman   &   Littlefield   Publishers,   2011.

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  What   Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do:   A   Leadership   Competencies   Scorecard .

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2006.

 

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  Understanding,   Planning,   and   Leading   Organizational   Change.

  Washington,   DC:  

 

National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2009.

 

Stone,   D.,   Patton,   B.,   and   Hen,   S.

  Difficult   Conversations.

  How   to   Discuss   What   Matters   Most.

  

New   York:   Penguin,   1999.

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

39  

Recorder’s   Form  

Reginald   Murphy   College  

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   and/or   problems?

 

 

 

 

 

2.

What   strategies   would   you   employ   to   address   them?

 

 

 

3.

Who   would   you   include   in   your   process?

   Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

What   process   would   be   appropriate?

   What   is   your   rationale?

 

 

 

5.

What   principles   can   you   generalize   from   this   case?

 

 

 

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

 

40   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Timberline   University   Case   Study:  

Art   Gallery   Faculty   Exhibits   Program   Controversy  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

       The   Setting  

The   current   exhibit   at   the   Timberline   University   (TU)   Art   Gallery   and   Museum,   an   on ‐ campus   facility   that   also   serves   the   campus   and   the   local   community,   opened   two   days   ago.

   It   features   the   work   of   two   faculty   members,   Marisa  

Johannson   and   Raul   Mendoza,   both   recently ‐ hired   tenure   track   faculty   in   the   TU  

School   of   Performing   Arts   undergraduate   and   graduate   programs.

   Both   are   noted   artisans—

Marisa   as   a   photographer   and   Raul   as   a   watercolorist.

 

William   Jefferson,   the   Gallery   and   Museum   director,   has   just   received   a   copy   of   an   email   to   his   boss,   Ray   Argery,   the   vice   president   for   external   and   community   affairs,   sent   by   Mary   Reba,   an   active   TU   alumna,   local   business   owner,   generous   TU   donor,   and   a   former   member   of   the   TU  

Board   of   Trustees.

  A   copy   of   the   email   was   also   sent   to   Jill   Highstein,   TU   vice   president   for   finance   and   administration,   with   whom   Mary   worked   closely   on   several   committee   assignments   while   she   was   a   member   of   the   board;   Maria   Bossa,   provost;   Jeff   Germane,   director   of   development;   and   Jennifer   Smithers,   university   chief   counsel.

 

The   purpose   of   her   email   is   to   express   her   grave   concerns   about   the   exhibit   that   just   opened.

  

Her   distress   focuses   on   two   photographs   that   depict   what   she   refers   to   as   “inappropriate   touching   between   two   nude   females,   one   of   the   individuals   appears   to   be   no   older   than   12   or  

13.”    

Your   Challenge  

Because   of   her   active   role   with   the   institution,   Mary   Reba’s   concerns   must   be   addressed.

   The   individuals   who   make   up   the   president’s   cabinet   as   well   as   others   involved   in   the   situation   will   have   their   own   perspectives   based   on   their   role   and   personal   values.

   As   leaders   and/or   key   stakeholders,   they   ultimately   will   play   a   part   in   the   situation’s   final   resolution  

Discussion  

1.

What   are   the   issues   of   concern?

 

2.

What,   if   anything,   should   be   done   in   response   to   the   email…by   and   to   whom?

   Why?

 

 

 

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Timberline   University   Case   Study:  

Art   Gallery   Faculty   Exhibits   Program   Controversy  

             

      Background  

Part   One  

William   B.

  Jefferson   is   director   of   the   Timberline   University   (TU)   Art   Gallery   and  

Museum,   an   on ‐ campus   facility   that   also   serves   the   campus   and   the   local   community.

    Jefferson   reports   to   Ray   Argery,   vice   president   for   external   and   community   affairs.

   Prior   to   assuming   his   present   position   five   years   ago,   Jefferson   was   curator   of   the   Boise   Civic   Art   Museum,   where   he   developed   an   impressive   record   for   cultivating   community   involvement   and   fund   raising.

   

In   his   TU   post,   Jefferson   has   begun   a   number   of   programs   to   more   actively   engage   the   faculty,   students,   and   the   local   community.

   One   such   program   which   has   drawn   particular   praise   is   the  

Faculty   Showcase.

   Twice   a   year,   the   Gallery   and   Museum   hosts   a   month ‐ long   show   featuring   the   work   of   two   faculty   members   from   the   School   of   Performing   Arts.

   Before   and   during   this   show,   a   number   of   activities   are   introduced   to   attract   students,   local   schools,   and   local   residents.

 

The   current   exhibit,   which   opened   two   days   ago,   features   the   work   of   two   faculty   members,  

Marisa   Johannson   and   Raul   Mendoza,   both   recently ‐ hired   tenure   track   faculty   in   the   TU   School   of   Performing   Arts   undergraduate   and   graduate   programs.

   Both   are   noted   artisans—Marisa   as   a   photographer   and   Raul   as   a   watercolorist.

 

Jefferson   has   just   received   a   copy   of   an   email   to   his   boss,   Vice   President   Argery,   sent   by   Mary  

Reba,   an   active   TU   alumna,   local   business   owner,   generous   TU   donor,   and   a   former   member   of   the   TU   Board   of   Trustees.

  A   copy   of   the   email   was   also   sent   to   Jill   Highstein,   TU   vice   president   for   finance   and   administration,   with   whom   Mary   Reba   worked   closely   on   several   committee   assignments   while   she   was   a   member   of   the   board;   Maria   Bossa,   provost;   Jeff   Germane,   director   of   development;   and   Jennifer   Smithers,   university   chief   counsel.

 

The   purpose   of   Reba’s   email   is   to   express   her   grave   concerns   about   the   exhibit   that   just   opened.

   Her   distress   focuses   on   two   photographs   that   depict   what   she   refers   to   as  

“inappropriate   touching   between   two   nude   females,   one   of   the   individuals   appears   to   be   no   older   than   12   or   13.”    She   also   is   deeply   troubled   by   a   painting   depicting   Jesus   dressed   in   work   clothes   and   a   shirt   that   appears   to   be   fashioned   from   an   American   flag.

   Her   email   states   that   she   regards   all   three   pictures   as   wholly   inappropriate   for   a   community   show.

   The   photographs   are   the   work   of   Johannson;   the   painting   was   done   by   Mendoza.

   

 

A   copy   of   the   email   has   also   been   sent   to   the   provost,   Maria   Bossa,   the   director   of   development,   Jeff   Germane,   and   university   chief   counsel,   Jennifer   Smithers.

 

42   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

Your   Challenge  

Because   of   her   active   role   with   the   institution,   Reba’s   concerns   must   be   addressed.

   The   individuals   who   make   up   the   president’s   cabinet   as   well   as   others   involved   in   the   situation   will   have   their   own   perspectives   based   on   their   role   and   personal   values.

   As   leaders   and/or   key   stakeholders,   they   ultimately   will   play   a   part   in   the   problem’s   final   resolution.

   These   people   include:  

• Ray   Argery,   vice   president   for   external   and   community   affairs  

• William   Jefferson,   gallery   and   museum   director  

• Jill   Highstein,   vice   president   for   finance   and   administration  

• Maria   Bossa,   provost  

Jeff   Germane,   development   director  

Jennifer   Smithers,   university   chief   counsel  

Professors   Marisa   Johannson   and   Raul   Mendoza  

Mary   Reba,   alumna,   local   business   owner,   donor,   former   TU   Board   member  

 

Part   One:   Discussion  

At   each   table,   one   person   should   represent   the   perspective   of   each   of   the   key   players.

   Take   10   minutes   to   prepare   a   response   to   the   questions   below   from   this   individual’s   point   of   view.

 

1.

What   are   your   issues   of   concern?

 

2.

What,   if   anything,   should   you   do   or   say   in   response   to   the   email…and   to   whom?

 

3.

What   actions   are   you   likely   to   recommend   and/or   undertake?

   Why?

 

 

Additionally:  

For   Mary   Reba   

What   was   your   intent   in   sending   the   email?

  What   are   you   expecting   will   be   done   in  

  response   to   your   letter…   and   by   whom?

 

For   professors   Johannson   and   Mendoza  

 

 

 

 

• What   actions   would   these   two   individuals   likely   think   should   be   taken   by   director   Jefferson,   provost   Bossa,   and   vice   president   for   external   and   community   affairs   Argery?

  Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

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43  

 

 

Background  

Part   Two:   New   Information  

Vice   President   Argery   called   Director   Jefferson   to   indicate   that   he   and   the   provost   had   been   determined   that   this   situation   demanded   an   active   response.

   Two   options   were   presented:   1)   remove   the   controversial   works   from   the   exhibit   or   2)   close   the   show.

 

William   Jefferson   was   deeply   troubled   by   this   decision   and   the   options   presented,   and   he   communicated   his   concerns   to   Vice   President   Argery   as   a   part   of   the   phone   conversation.

  

Argery’s   response   was   “I   understand   what   you’re   saying,   but   I   have   to   tell   you   that   a   decision   has   been   made,   and   now   we   need   to   move   forward   with   one   of   the   two   options.”     

Jefferson   called   the   professors,   explained   the   situation,   and   asked   them   to   give   the   matter   some   thought   and   let   him   know   within   24   hours   which   option   they   preferred.

   The   faculty   members   were   outraged   and   went   immediately   to   the   dean   of   the   School   of   Performing   Arts,  

Art   Fahn,   to   discuss   the   situation   and   their   contention   that   their   academic   rights   –   and   indeed   academic   freedom   more   generally   –   had   been   violated.

   This   was   the   first   the   dean   had   heard   of   the   situation,   and   he   said   he   wanted   to   talk   with   members   of   the   administration   to   discuss   the   matter.

   He   called,   but   was   told   the   provost   was   at   meetings   off   campus   until   noon   the   next   day.

   Dean   Fahn   left   a   message   for   the   provost.

 

In   the   meantime,   Dr.

  Mendoza   was   so   angered   by   the   situation   that   he   called   the   editor   of   the   local   newspaper   and   gave   a   full   account   of   the   situation   and   the   censorship   that   he   believed   was   being   imposed   by   the   University.

   Reporters   called   the   provost’s   office   requesting   an   interview   about   the   “censorship   issue,”   and   left   a   message   for   the   provost   to   call   immediately   upon   her   return.

   The   reporters   also   tried   to   contact   the   president’s   office   for   a   statement.

   

When   the   provost   checked   her   email   that   evening,   she   had   a   flood   of   messages   from   community   and   school   newspapers   and   a   message   to   contact   the   president   at   his   home   that   evening.

 

Two   days   later,   the   newspapers   were   filled   with   stories   about   the   show,   the   controversial   art   works   and   the   “censorship   issue,”   including   interviews   and   incendiary   comments   from   the   faculty   members.

   The   articles   noted   that   when   contacted,   the   president’s   and   provost’s   offices   had   failed   to   return   calls.

   William   Jefferson   also   had   made   several   calls   to   the   administration   asking   for   guidance—should   the   exhibit   be   closed   or   should   the   pieces   in   question   be   removed?

  

His   calls   also   had   yet   to   be   answered.

   

The   media   coverage   included   two   newspaper   editorials,   one   arguing   the   works   were   in   poor   taste   and   not   appropriate   for   display   in   a   community   facility.

   The   other   opined   that   this   was   clearly   a   freedom   of   speech   issue   and   was   critical   of   the   administration   for   failing   to   take   a   strong   stand   on   behalf   of   the   faculty   and   their   rights.

  Meanwhile,   attendance   at   the   Showcase   had   exceeded   all   estimates   with   particular   attention   being   paid   to   the   controversial   pieces.

   

44   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Part   Two:   Discussion  

1.

What   should   be   done   now?

   And,   by   whom?

 

2.

What   is   your   rationale?

 

 

Interactive   Options   –   Additional   Discussion   Questions  

1.

How   might   you   “debrief”   this   case   with   the   parties   involved   to   draw   out   lessons   to   be   learned?

  

2.

Are   the   issues   raised   by   this   case   unique   to   this   circumstance   or   can   they   be   generalized?

  

3.

Were   there   strategies   available   to   the   provost   and   administration   that   might   have   prevented   these   problems?

   What   were   some   options?

   

4.

What   other   individuals   or   groups   might   have   been   helpful   in   dealing   with   this   situation?

 

5.

If   you   had   been   a   coach   or   consultant   to   the   administrators   involved,   what   advice   would   you   have   given   as   to   how   best   to   approach   this   situation   when   you   learned   the   email   had   been   received   and   had   reviewed   its   contents?

   Had   you   been   a   friend   or   colleague   of   the   faculty   members,   what   counsel   would   you   have   given   them?

 

 

Debriefing  

 

Themes  

Short ‐  and   Long ‐ Term   Impact   of   Leadership   Decision ‐ making:    What   is   the   short ‐ term   impact   of   this   case?

   Are   there   longer ‐ term   consequences?

   (For   the   provost?

   The   faculty   members?

   The   School   of   Performing   Arts?

  The   dean?

  William   Jefferson?

  The  

Faculty   Showcase?

  Relations   among   these   various   parties?)   

 

Identifying   Core   Issues   and   Critical   Success   Factors:    What   were   the   root   causes   of   the   problems   in   this   case?

   What   needed   to   happen   for   the   situation   to   be   successfully   addressed   and   resolved?

 

 

Communication:    What   communication   problems   and   principles   are   exemplified   by   this   case?

   Were   the   most   appropriate   and   effective   communication   channels   used?

 

 

• Culture:    What   is   the   role   of   culture   (academic   versus   administrative   versus   community)   in   this   scenario?

 

 

• Crisis   (“Issues")   Management:   As   viewed   from   the   perspective   of   the   individuals   involved,   was   the   situation   described   in   this   case   study   a   “crisis?”    Would   the   answer   to   the   question   influence   the   way   one   would   think   about   and   deal   with   this   type   of  

  situation?

 

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Crisis   (“Issues”)   Management   Planning:    What   might   be   done   to   plan   for   situations   such   as   this   one?

 

 

• Leadership   and   Leadership   Development:    Are   there   implications   in   this   case   for   leadership   development   and   leadership   training?

 

 

• Decision   Making:    Were   there   alternative   approaches   to   decision ‐ making   that   might   have   proved   more   useful?

   Discuss.

 

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

• Problem   Definition   and   Solving:    The   way   one   thinks   about   the   nature   of   a   problem   is   often   vital   for   the   strategies   that   follow.

   In   this   case,   as   in   others,   there   are   alternative   ways   to   define   “the   problem.”    The   first   instinct   was   to   devise   a   plan   to   remove   the   art   that   Mary   Reba   had   referred   to   as   “inappropriate.”   That   may   not   have   been   the   only   way   to   address   Reba’s   concerns.

   Depending   on   the   factors   motivating   her   communiqué,   a   phone   call   or   meeting   with   Jill   Highstein   and   a   follow ‐ up   meeting   with   William  

Jefferson   as   a   first   step   could   have   clarified   the   nature   and   intensity   of   her   concerns.

  

This   approach   might   have   pointed   toward   a   variety   of   strategies   to   pursue   before   the   situation   escalated.

  

 

Systems/Organizational   Analysis;   Stakeholder   Analysis:    Thinking   not   only   about   the   specifics   that   need   to   be   attended   to,   but   also   the   “big   picture”   issues   that   could   be   triggered   as   this   scenario   unfolds   is   essential   to   early   planning   and   strategy   development.

  There   are   a   number   of   stakeholders   to   be   aware   of   and   concerned   about   in   this   case—alumni,   donors,   community   members,   administrative   and   academic   leaders,   faculty,   the   media,   and   the   general   public.

   Anticipating   the   needs   and   perspectives   of   each   would   be   vital   to   the   successful   handling   of   this   and   similar   cases.

   

 

• Analysis   of   Technology:    In   this   case,   communication   and   information   technology   became   important   considerations.

  It   appears   that   appropriate   communication   channels  

(face ‐ to ‐ face,   phone,   email)   were   either   unavailable   or   not   well   utilized.

   As   a   consequence,   the   difficulties   arising   from   the   multiple   individuals   and   perspectives   involved   were   substantially   intensified.

 

 

• Listening,   Question ‐ Asking,   and   Learning:   Greater   attention   to   listening   to   and   learning  

 

  about   the   sources   of   concern   expressed   initially   by   Mary   Reba,   and   then   later   by   others   involved—the   director,   faculty   members,   and   media—would   have   been   helpful   ingredients   for   developing   and   implementing   a   more   effective   strategy   for   dealing   with   the   situation   before   it   intensified.

 

46   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Vision   Setting,   Values,   and   Goals:   Having   a   clear   vision   and   value   set   is   helpful   when   it   comes   to   dealing   with   a   situation   such   as   this   one.

   These   philosophies   should   guide   decisions   about   community   functions,   exhibits,   and   other   events.

   If   perceived   problems   crop   up,   they   provide   a   helpful   rationale   for   explaining   the   institution’s   philosophy,   values   and   goals.

   These   will   not   satisfy   all   critiques,   but   they   provide   a   solid   grounding   for   communication.

 

 

• Management   and   Facilitation:    Competencies   in   this   area   are   important   in   the   planning,   preparations,   coordination   and   guidance   of   the   work   of   the   administrative   team   in   its   interaction   with   various   campus   constituencies.

   

 

• Information   and   Knowledge   Management:    Information   and   message   management   was   a   critical   issue   in   this   case.

  While   the   situation   might   have   been   comfortably   and   cordially   dealt   with   at   the   outset,   the   choices   about   information   sharing,   and   the   lack   thereof,   as   well   as   the   content   of   specific   messages   contributed   to   an   escalation   of   conflict   that   ultimately   led   to   media   and   public   involvement.

 

 

Diversity   and   Intercultural   Relations:   While   not   an   explicit   theme   of   this   case,   diversity   and   intercultural   issues,   campus   or   departmental   histories,   and   personal   sensitivities   should   be   a   leadership   concern   in   all   decision ‐ making.

   This   is   particularly   true   where   there   is   potential   for   misinterpretations   of   the   motives   underlying   decisions   or   actions.

 

Such   concerns   point   to   the   general   importance   of   thoughtful   attention   to   interpersonal,   group,   and   organizational   communication,   and   attention   to   information   sharing   and   inclusion.

 

 

Facilitation,   Negotiation,   Conflict   Resolution,   and   Crisis   Management:   Skills   in   facilitation   and   negotiation   were   sorely   needed   in   the   early   phases   of   this   case,   and   conflict   resolution   competencies   became   important   later.

   Due   to   these   and   other   leadership   shortcomings,   a   crisis   of   sorts   evolved,   and   it’s   quite   possible   that   there   will   be   a   number   of   longer ‐ term   consequences   of   the   situation.

  

 

 

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47  

 

 

Readings:  

Becker,   E.,   and   Wortmann,   J.

   Mastering   Communication   at   Work.

  New   York:   McGraw ‐ Hill,  

2009.

 

Bennis,   W.

  Managing   People   Is   Like   Herding   Cats .

  Provo,   UT:   Executive   Excellence   Publishing,  

1997.

 

Harvard   Business   Review   on   Effective   Communication.

  Cambridge,   MA:   Harvard   Business   School  

Press,   1999.

 

Fortunato,   J.A.

   “Restoring   a   Reputation:   The   Duke   University   Lacrosse   Scandal,”    Public  

Relations   Review,   34 ,   116 ‐ 123,   2008.

 

Ledingham,   J.

  A.

  “ Relationship   Management:   A   General   Public   Relations   Theory .”   In   C.

  H.

  Botan  

&   V.

  Hazleton   (Eds.),   Public   Relations   Theory   II   (pp.

  465–483).

  Mahwah,   NJ:   Lawrence   Erlbaum  

Associates,   2006.

 

Ledingham,   J.

  A.,   &   Bruning,   S.

  D.

  Public   Relations   as   Relationship   Management:   A   Relational  

Approach   to   the   Study   and   Practice   of   Public   Relations .

  Mahwah,   NJ:   Lawrence   Erlbaum  

Associates,   2000.

 

Pearce,   C.

  L.,   and   Conger,   J.

  A.

  Shared   Leadership .

  Thousand   Oaks,   CA:   Sage,   2003.

 

Ruben,   B.

  D.

  What   Leaders   Need   to   Know   and   Do:   A   Leadership   Competencies   Scorecard .

 

Washington,   DC:   National   Association   of   College   and   University   Business   Officers,   2006.

 

 

 

48   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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   Recorder’s   Form  

Timberline   University  

 

 

 

 

 

1.

What   issues   are   of   concern   for   you?

  

 

 

 

 

2.

What   constituencies   might   be   concerned?

   What   might   their   concerns   be?

 

 

 

3.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   do   or   say,   and   to   whom?

   What’s   your   rationale?

 

 

 

 

 

4.

What,   if   anything,   do   you   think   should   be   done?

   Why?

 

 

 

 

5.

What   issues   or   principles   can   you   generalize   from   this   case?

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

 

 

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San   Pedro   College   Case   Study:  

Staff   Productivity   and   Morale  

(Abbreviated   Version)  

 

The   Setting  

San   Pedro   College   (SPC)   is   a   comprehensive   teaching   institution   with   13,200   undergraduate   and   3,000   graduate   students,   and   340   FTE   faculty   and   staff.

   SPC   is   located   in   a   scenic   and   relatively   isolated   setting   in   Mission   Ridge,   CA.

 

 

SPC   has   confronted   multiple   challenges   in   recent   years.

   Despite   annual   tuition   increases,   resources   for   new   initiatives   have   been   limited.

   Few   resources   are   available   for   capital   improvements,   or   the   initiation   of   new   programs   or   services.

   Other   than  

1.5

  percent   across ‐ the ‐ board   faculty   and   staff   salary   cost ‐ of ‐ living   and   standard   promotion   adjustments,   there   have   been   no   significant   faculty   or   staff   raises   in   several   years.

 

 

A   Faculty   Distinction   Program   (FDP)   and   the   Staff   Performance   Excellence   Program   (SPEP),   initiated   in   2002   and   2003   respectively,   were   designed   to   recognize   and   motivate   outstanding   performance,   but   neither   program   has   been   funded   since   2006.

  The   performance   documentation   and   employee ‐ supervisor   discussion   component   of   the   SPEP—which   once   played   a   central   role   in   determining   eligibility   and   levels   of   merit ‐ based   salary   increases—have   been   continued,   but   it   is   not   tied   in   any   way   to   compensation   and   is   not   taken   all   that   seriously   by   most   staff.

  The   Faculty   Distinction   Program   has   been   deferred   for   the   past   two   years.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

 

Morale   is   quite   low,   and   a   number   of   the   most   motivated   and   talented   faculty   and   staff   are   exploring   alternative   employment   opportunities.

  These   actions—and   the   conversations   which   precede   and   follow   them—are   contributing   further   to   a   negative   campus   climate   and   a   contagious   downward   spiral   of   morale   with   a   good   deal   of   time   spent   in   “water   cooler”   and   lunch   discussions   of   the   depressing   future   that   many   envision   for   SPC.

   All   these   dynamics   combine   to   have   an   adverse   effect   not   only   on   organizational   morale,   but   also   on   personal  

  initiative   and   productivity.

   

President   Jamison   and   Provost   Iberia   have   asked   you,   as   CBO,   to   propose   some   options   for   dealing   with   the   staff   productivity,   initiative   and   morale   problems,   which   they   see   as   undermining   the   core   mission   of   SPC.

   No   constraints   have   been   placed   on   you   in   your   thinking,   other   than   the   stipulation   that   there   is   little   or   no   money   available   for   raises.

 

Discussion  

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   as   you   see   it?

 

2.

What   do   you   propose?

   Why?

 

50   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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San   Pedro   College   Case   Study:  

Staff   Productivity   and   Morale

 

 

 

 

Background  

Founded   in   1897,   San   Pedro   College   (SPC)   is   a   comprehensive   teaching   institution   with   13,200   undergraduate   and   3,000   graduate   students,   and   340  

FTE   faculty   and   staff.

   SPC   is   located   in   a   scenic   and   relatively   isolated   setting   in  

Mission   Ridge,   CA.

 

 

Like   many   other   institutions,   SPC   has   confronted   multiple   challenges   in   recent   years.

   Despite   annual   tuition   increases,   resources   for   new   initiatives   have   been   limited,   and   there   have   been   few   resources   available   for   capital   improvements,   or   the   initiation   of   new   programs   or   services.

   Other   than   1.5%   across ‐ the ‐ board   faculty   and   staff   salary   cost ‐ of ‐ living   and   standard   promotion   adjustments,   there   have   been   no   significant   faculty   or   staff   raises   in  

  several   years.

 

The   hope   voiced   by   many   within   the   institution,   that   “this   too   will   pass,”   seems   unrealistic.

  

Discussions   in   the   media   and   on   campus   indicate   that   the   institution’s   financial   challenges   are   likely   to   continue   into   the   future.

   Increasingly,   one   hears   comments   on   campus   expressing   concern   that   there   seems   to   be   no   clear   plan   to   address   the   realities   the   institution   faces.

  

Underscoring   this   sentiment   was   the   following   headline   of   a   faculty   editorial   in   the   campus   newspaper:    “Hope   Is   Not   a   Strategy.”   

 

The   college’s   pressures   are   apparent   in   many   spheres   of   institutional   functioning.

   One   area   of   particular   concern   is   faculty   and   staff   morale.

   Much   of   the   conversation   about   morale   problems   seem   to   center   on   compensation.

   A   Faculty   Distinction   Program   (FDP)   and   the   Staff  

Performance   Excellence   Program   (SPEP),   initiated   in   2002   and   2003   respectively,   were   designed   to   recognize   and   motivate   outstanding   performance,   but   neither   program   has   been   funded   since   2006.

  The   performance   documentation   and   employee ‐ supervisor   discussion   component   of   the   SPEP,   which   once   played   a   central   role   in   determining   eligibility   and   levels   of   merit ‐ based  

 

  salary   increases,   has   been   continued,   but   it   is   essentially   an   academic   exercise.

   It   is   not   tied   in   any   way   to   compensation,   and   it   is   not   taken   all   that   seriously   by   most   staff.

  The   Faculty  

 

Distinction   Program   has   been   deferred   for   the   past   two   years.

 

 

 

While   the   compensation   situation   is   the   most   frequent   topic   in   discussions   of   morale,   it   may   well   be   but   one   aspect   of   the   problem.

   Other   less   obvious   factors   related   to   morale   have   not  

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51  

  been   addressed.

   The   lack   of   meaningful   communication   regarding   the   compensation   situation   other   than   official   emails   informing   faculty   and   staff   of   policy   decisions   relative   to   their   deferral  

  could   well   be   part   of   the   problem.

  

Noticeably   absent   have   been   efforts   to   improve   communication   and   create   a   shared   sense   of   the   challenge   the   institution   faces,   recognition   of   the   dedication   of   faculty   and   staff   in   the   face   of   difficult   times,   celebration   of   the   numerous   innovations   and   efficiency   measures   faculty   and   staff   have   initiated,   and   information   about   institutional   plans   and   strategies   for   addressing  

  these   challenges   in   the   longer   term.

 

 

Your   Challenge  

A   number   of   the   most   motivated   and   talented   faculty   and   staff   are   exploring   alternative   employment   opportunities.

  These   actions   and   the   conversations   which   precede   and   follow   them   are   contributing   further   to   a   negative   campus   climate   and   a   contagious   downward   spiral   in   confidence.

   A   good   deal   of   time   is   spent   in   “water   cooler”   and   lunch   discussions   of   the   depressing   future   that   many   envision   for   SPC.

   All   these   dynamics   combine   to   have   an   adverse   effect   not   only   on   institutional   drive,   but   also   on   personal   initiative   and   productivity.

   

 

President   Jamison   and   Provost   Iberia   ask   you   to   propose   some   options   for   dealing   with   the   staff   productivity,   initiative   and   morale   problems,   which   all   parties   see   as   beginning   to   seriously   undermine   the   core   mission   of   SPC   and   the   quality   of   the   institution’s   programs   and   services.

  

No   constraints   have   been   placed   on   you   in   your   thinking,   other   than   the   stipulation   that   there   is   little   or   no   money   available   for   raises.

 

 

Discussion  

 

Take   30   minutes   to   prepare   a   plan   for   how   best   to   address   the   issues   that   have   been   raised.

   As   a   group   consider   what   principles   would   guide   your   thinking.

   What   do   you   see   as   the   problem,   or   problems,   here?

   What   process   should   you   follow   in   moving   forward?

 

 

Assessment  

Should   you   begin   by   gathering   information   to   assess   the   accuracy   of   the   perceptions,   or   take   their   accuracy   as   a   given?

   If   you   decide   to   gather   information   for   clarification   or   validation,   how   should   you   best   proceed?

   Here   are   several   options.

   Which   seem   most   appropriate?

  

What   are   the   benefits   and   possible   risks   of   each   approach?

 

1.

Do   you   talk   with   members   of   your   leadership   team?

   If   so,   do   you   discuss   the   matter   with   the   members   individually   or   as   a   group,   and   how   would   you   frame   the   discussion?

   

2.

Do   you   have   a   discussion   with   particular   individuals   and   unit   heads?

 

3.

Do   you   organize   interviews   or   focus   groups   with   representative   members   of   the   faculty   and   staff?

 

 

Action  

52   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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After   you   assess   the   situation,   how   do   you   proceed?

  

• What   would   be   the   primary   elements   of   your   plan?

   

• What   goals   and   strategies   might   you   consider   to   address   the   morale   problems?

   

• How   would   you   decide   if   these   particular   plans,   goals   and   strategies   were   appropriate   and   likely   to   be   effective?

 

• Would   focus   groups,   an   advisory   group,   or   pilot   projects   be   helpful?

 

• What   offices   within   the   university   would   you   likely   want   to   involve   in   helping   to   plan   and   implement   your   plan?

 

To   what   extent   might   your   efforts   encounter   cynicism?

   How   might   this   be   anticipated   and   mitigated   to   some   degree?

 

 

 

Interactive   Options  

1.

After   reviewing   suggested   options,   the   SPC   president   (the   facilitator)   can   provide   reactions   to   the   draft   plan   submitted,   raise   questions,   introduce   concerns,   describe   possible   consequences,   and/or   provide   additional   information   for   consideration   such   as   an   additional   context   or   higher   level   issue.

 

 

2.

Depending   on   goals   of   the   session,   the   time   available,   and   the   size   of   the   group,   the   process   can   be   structured   so   that   participants   share   responses   across   multiple   tables   and   analyze   common   themes,   differences,   and   similarities.

 

 

3.

One   or   several   of   the   proposed   options   may   be   selected   and   participants   asked   to   go   to   the   next   stage   of   planning—who   should   be   involved   with   leading   the   change   planning   and   implementation   effort,   what   communication   plans   should   be   developed,   how   should   the   new   approach   will   be   assessed.

 

 

Debriefing  

 

 

Themes  

• Problem   Naming   and   Problem   Solving:    This   case   highlights   the   importance   of   problem   naming   (and   analysis).

   In   situations   such   as   this,   determining   whether   there   is,   in   fact,   a   problem,   and   more   basically   deciding   how   to   gather   the   information   to   make   such   a   determination   may   be   as   much   a   challenge   as   figuring   out   how   to   address   the   problem   once   its   existence   is   confirmed.

   If   the   problem   is   solely   one   of   compensation,   there’s   not   much   that   can   be   done.

   But,   it   seems   likely   that   there   are   other   factors   contributing   to   the   morale   problem   that   can   be   addressed.

 

 

• Leadership   Values   in   Principle   and   Practice:    Particularly   in   difficult   situations,   leadership   communication   becomes   extremely   important.

   Faculty   and   staff   look   to   leaders   for   reassurance,   direction,   and   recognition   of   the   realities   of   a   situation.

   

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• Communication   Strategy:   In   addressing   organizational   challenges   open,   direct,   and   immediate   communication   is   not   always   the   most   effective   strategy.

   Communication   implies   a   two ‐ way   (actually,   a   multi ‐ directional)   interactive   process,   where   listening  

  receives   as   much   emphasis   as   talking   or   explaining.

 

Leadership   Competencies   of   Particular   Importance  

 

• Listening,   Attention,   Question ‐ Asking,   and   Learning:    A   climate   of   malaise   and   low   energy   has   set   in   to   the   organization.

   While   there   may   appear   to   be   some   obvious   sources   of   dissatisfaction,   it   is   important   not   to   make   assumptions.

   Attending   verbally   and   visually   to   the   thoughts,   behaviors   and   actions   of   others   may   uncover   less   apparent   reasons   for   the   continued   erosion   of   vigor   and   optimism.

 

 

Vision,   Strategy   Development,   and   Goal   Attainment:   A   key   part   of   motivation   is   providing   a   sense   of   purpose   and   direction   for   those   who   work   in   the   organization.

   In   a   situation   where   the   future   appears   bleak,   how   can   leaders   focus   energy   and   establish   goals   that   support   a   feeling   of   accomplishment?

 

 

Stakeholder   Analysis:    Who   are   some   of   the   most   critical   constituency   groups,   what   issues   will   likely   be   of   particular   importance   to   each   group,   and   how   might   these   concerns   be   addressed?

 

 

Enthusiasm:    There   is   no   greater   challenge   in   higher   education   today   than   to   support  

  the   fervor   and   passion   that   most   people   employed   in   colleges   and   universities   feel   about   their   work.

   

 

 

54   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

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Readings  

Stone,   D.,   Patton,   B.,   and   Hen,   S.

  Difficult   Conversations.

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Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO  

55  

 

 

 

Recorder’s   Form  

San   Pedro   College  

 

 

 

1.

What   are   the   key   issues   as   you   see   it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

What   do   you   propose?

   Why?

 

 

 

3.

Are   there   issues   or   principles   you   can   generalize   from   the   case?

 

 

 

 

For   the   reporter  

• Briefly   summarize   your   case.

 

• List   any   major   problems   or   issues.

 

• Document   any   strategies   for   addressing   the   problems   or   issues.

 

• Generalize   issues   or   principles   from   the   case.

 

56   Leading   in   Tough   Times:   Case   Studies   for   Higher   Education   Leaders  

Copyright   2012,   NACUBO