LGBTQA Management
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Accountability in Higher Education- The Role of Student Affairs Practitioners
Accountability has, indeed, become a salient issue nowadays. The author of chapter 6 outlined a number of reasons, which are all correct, but I think parents spend colossal sums of money on education and deserve better. Barham and Scott (2006) were right about the four responsibilities that student affairs practitioners need to ensure. That is, provision of high quality services delivered in an efficient manner; facilitation of students’ development; and contribution to students learning. If these three main responsibilities are well executed, stakeholders in higher education will surely be satisfied and those who provide funds will always pledge their unflinching support.
I also supported the idea that students need to be assessed based on competencies. In most of the universities in Europe, offices have been created and charge with the responsibilities of ensuring participatory learning. This makes students translate what they learn into real life situation. I think it’s about time student affairs professionals stopped being arm-chair officers and see to address the real developmental needs of students. If possible, student’s progress should be tracked at the time they are enrolled until graduation and even after graduation. Data collected in this regard can be evaluated to improve upon the learning situation.
I also supported the idea that students need to be assessed based on competencies. In most of the universities in Europe, offices have been created and charge with the responsibilities of ensuring participatory learning. This makes students translate what they learn into real life situation. I think it’s about time student affairs professionals stopped being arm-chair officers and see to address the real developmental needs of students. If possible, student’s progress should be tracked at the time they are enrolled until graduation and even after graduation. Data collected in this regard can be evaluated to improve upon the learning situation.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Religious diversity improvement on AU campus
Religious diversity is a topical issue and on the lips of student affairs professionals. In the public universities, it is not a big issue becasue students have the option to worship accordig to their faith. But in Christian universities including AU, there are some levels of limitation. This is because such universities would not like to compromise thier religious mission for any reason. The above video is an interview section during which the author wanted to know from a prominent student affairs professional how AU will improve religious diversity on campus so that the few non-adventists on campus will complete thier course of study and return home without feeling intimidated.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fiscal Pressure on Higher Education-The Family Factor
The fiscal challenges facing higher educational institution are enormous and require some prudent measures to deal with. The family factor to this problem should be given a due attention. Obviously, the federal government support is no longer reliable due to budgetary constraints. Most institutions, therefore, resort to program cut backs and increase in tuition fees.
The information in chapter five of this week reading prompted me that even though tuition increase is the surest way to raise revenue for the university, a lot of students really feel the heat in paying. If US has the largest percentage of divorce cases and also has more single parents in the system, then it sounds reasonable to infer that majority of students live below the poverty line. These students need support to enable them go through their academic work. This is where I think as student affairs professionals we have a role to play.
Apart from the difficulties that such students face in paying their tuition, psychologically, they are disadvantaged. Student affairs practitioners must be proactive in support in their support agenda. This can be done by a close collaboration with the admission and counseling services to truck all students with single parents. They should be identified first and thereafter, put pragmatic measures in place to support them in order to solve their psychological and emotional problems.
The information in chapter five of this week reading prompted me that even though tuition increase is the surest way to raise revenue for the university, a lot of students really feel the heat in paying. If US has the largest percentage of divorce cases and also has more single parents in the system, then it sounds reasonable to infer that majority of students live below the poverty line. These students need support to enable them go through their academic work. This is where I think as student affairs professionals we have a role to play.
Apart from the difficulties that such students face in paying their tuition, psychologically, they are disadvantaged. Student affairs practitioners must be proactive in support in their support agenda. This can be done by a close collaboration with the admission and counseling services to truck all students with single parents. They should be identified first and thereafter, put pragmatic measures in place to support them in order to solve their psychological and emotional problems.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Orientation for Whites
This is an interesting but debatable issue and calls for student affairs practitioners to air out their views if confronted with a similar development. This perspective about how people can debate mainly motivated me to choose the article.
It’s all about orientation, which is organized for different groups of people in a college. The substantive issue is that Mount Holyoke College, which has for many years had a voluntary program for minority students in advance of the general orientation, now decides to organize a similar orientation for the White students. Different schools of thought feel that it creates segregation and discrimination. The object for the separate organization was to talk extensively about racial issues, but is it correct? Will a time come when male students will also request for a separate orientation? What are your views about this innovation? Please. Follow the link below, read the entire article and let me know your stand on this issue http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/13/holyoke
It’s all about orientation, which is organized for different groups of people in a college. The substantive issue is that Mount Holyoke College, which has for many years had a voluntary program for minority students in advance of the general orientation, now decides to organize a similar orientation for the White students. Different schools of thought feel that it creates segregation and discrimination. The object for the separate organization was to talk extensively about racial issues, but is it correct? Will a time come when male students will also request for a separate orientation? What are your views about this innovation? Please. Follow the link below, read the entire article and let me know your stand on this issue http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/13/holyoke
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Staff and Professional Development
After reviewing chapter seventeen, I was so impressed about the ideas expressed by the authors concerning traditional avenues for professional development. The creation of guiding philosophy for professional development, for instance, is a laudable idea. It is crucial and should be created especially to benefit the young employees. It gives a sense of direction and prepares individuals for future development.
In addition, recognition of the mutuality of individual and organization needs is equally important. This avenue is what the Ghana Education Service uses to enhance the professional competencies of both faculty and staff in higher educational institutions. Most often than not, opportunities are given to young faculty, for example, to pursue some courses while working. This reading reminds me of what my District Director of Education said before I set off to Andrews University. He said, “Sylvester, there are so much frustrations in our profession and the only way to overcome such frustrations is to pursue additional courses. Therefore, I encourage you to go and study”. The new ideas and skills being acquired here will help me to contribute effectively when I go back.
All that I want to express is that staff and professional development is important and it helps both the individual and the organization to improve.
In addition, recognition of the mutuality of individual and organization needs is equally important. This avenue is what the Ghana Education Service uses to enhance the professional competencies of both faculty and staff in higher educational institutions. Most often than not, opportunities are given to young faculty, for example, to pursue some courses while working. This reading reminds me of what my District Director of Education said before I set off to Andrews University. He said, “Sylvester, there are so much frustrations in our profession and the only way to overcome such frustrations is to pursue additional courses. Therefore, I encourage you to go and study”. The new ideas and skills being acquired here will help me to contribute effectively when I go back.
All that I want to express is that staff and professional development is important and it helps both the individual and the organization to improve.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Personal Conscience
Out of the five domains of ethical responsibility we read this week (i.e., students welfare, the institution, the profession, the community and personal conscience), personal conscience is my favorite one and would like to share a few thoughts about it.
Sometimes the environment in which we work, the circumstances under which we present our situation and other factors make it extremely difficult to obey our conscience when it comes to ethical responsibilities. More often than not we ignore our conscience and take decisions with the view to protecting the image of our institution, or secure our profession and more so to satisfy the members of the community in which we serve. There is nothing wrong with that but I think our conscience must supersede. I always maintain that conscience is the secrete word from God. God speaks to us in diverse ways. At any point in time we face dilemma or acute problem, what comes to our mind is direct voice from God especially if we are to choose between good and bad. Our life experience may come into play but God has an absolute control of our mind if we rely on Him. Let’s therefore pray to GOD for His intervention in such circumstances. We cannot do it all by ourselves but we have an assurance that if we belong to Christ, God has given us His Spirit and through Him we have an understanding of what is right and wrong.
One Russian writer, Alexander Soizhenitsyn said, “Even the most rational approach to ethics is defenseless if there isn't the will to do what is right”. He explained further that, “The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man”. What I personally learned from Alexander is that we may have institution’s name to protect, we may have our profession to secure and be loyal to the community we serve, but the students welfare should be paramount if we have the will to do so. Let’s therefore use our conscience in the perspective of Christianity to handle the four other domains.
Sometimes the environment in which we work, the circumstances under which we present our situation and other factors make it extremely difficult to obey our conscience when it comes to ethical responsibilities. More often than not we ignore our conscience and take decisions with the view to protecting the image of our institution, or secure our profession and more so to satisfy the members of the community in which we serve. There is nothing wrong with that but I think our conscience must supersede. I always maintain that conscience is the secrete word from God. God speaks to us in diverse ways. At any point in time we face dilemma or acute problem, what comes to our mind is direct voice from God especially if we are to choose between good and bad. Our life experience may come into play but God has an absolute control of our mind if we rely on Him. Let’s therefore pray to GOD for His intervention in such circumstances. We cannot do it all by ourselves but we have an assurance that if we belong to Christ, God has given us His Spirit and through Him we have an understanding of what is right and wrong.
One Russian writer, Alexander Soizhenitsyn said, “Even the most rational approach to ethics is defenseless if there isn't the will to do what is right”. He explained further that, “The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man”. What I personally learned from Alexander is that we may have institution’s name to protect, we may have our profession to secure and be loyal to the community we serve, but the students welfare should be paramount if we have the will to do so. Let’s therefore use our conscience in the perspective of Christianity to handle the four other domains.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Role of Religio-Spirituality in the Workplace
This article reminds me of how some professors I first met at Andres University preceded all their lectures with short prayers. On each day we met, a student was volunteered to pray regardless of his/her spiritual background. I now understand how religio-spirituality was working in them. It is a good action to emulate and I will never forget it wherever I may be!
I think it is a big challenge to us as future student affairs professionals. We need to display an utmost religio-spirituality in all our endeavors no matter where we find ourselves. I know that we need not boast of our beliefs and condemn others, but we can in a more subtle manner share our experiences with others. Again, I agree with the author that religio-spirituality shapes the development of relationship-building characteristics and values. The problem is how to start. First of all, I believe we can side with Paula who says we can use spirituality as a frame of reference for our leadership style just as we use leadership handbook. Your leadership style tells outsiders who you are. In other words, a religio-spiritual administrator promotes unity and brings harmony at work places and everyone sees you as such.
Students are our target group. We need to bring them to the level that we want. It is true as we read in the article that students are unique beings made by God and have strengths and weaknesses. My favorite university professor once said, “Students are equally intelligent as faculty only that they did not come to university earlier”. He therefore suggested students should be handled with extra care and love for they stand the chance of becoming as intelligent as they were. Now, I understand the perspective within which he was admonishing. It is a clear manifestation of religio-spiritual commitment, which I think should be the hallmark of all administrative work.
Lastly, we need to bring our religio-spiritual development to bear by supporting students and colleagues in times of adversity. Even though it is extremely difficult sometimes in certain environment to discuss our beliefs, with determination and subtle approach, we can make an impact. It is equally important to be open minded, good listener, tolerant, and appreciate people the way they are and by so doing we can build a better educational system
I think it is a big challenge to us as future student affairs professionals. We need to display an utmost religio-spirituality in all our endeavors no matter where we find ourselves. I know that we need not boast of our beliefs and condemn others, but we can in a more subtle manner share our experiences with others. Again, I agree with the author that religio-spirituality shapes the development of relationship-building characteristics and values. The problem is how to start. First of all, I believe we can side with Paula who says we can use spirituality as a frame of reference for our leadership style just as we use leadership handbook. Your leadership style tells outsiders who you are. In other words, a religio-spiritual administrator promotes unity and brings harmony at work places and everyone sees you as such.
Students are our target group. We need to bring them to the level that we want. It is true as we read in the article that students are unique beings made by God and have strengths and weaknesses. My favorite university professor once said, “Students are equally intelligent as faculty only that they did not come to university earlier”. He therefore suggested students should be handled with extra care and love for they stand the chance of becoming as intelligent as they were. Now, I understand the perspective within which he was admonishing. It is a clear manifestation of religio-spiritual commitment, which I think should be the hallmark of all administrative work.
Lastly, we need to bring our religio-spiritual development to bear by supporting students and colleagues in times of adversity. Even though it is extremely difficult sometimes in certain environment to discuss our beliefs, with determination and subtle approach, we can make an impact. It is equally important to be open minded, good listener, tolerant, and appreciate people the way they are and by so doing we can build a better educational system
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
TYPES OF RELATIONSHIP
My reflection for this week reading will be on “types of relationship”. It became crystal clear that cordial relationship amongst co-workers in education intuition is crucial for effective management. One important type of relationship that student affairs personnel need to foster is among colleagues and constituents of the institution. This is because a good relationship is a key to success.
There is a common saying that together we stand, divided we fall. This is especially true in decision making. I agree with Rogers, 2003 by pointing out that a true collaborative leadership characterised by dialogue in which all voices are valued and power is shared is essential. Effective communication, tolerance, humility and love are necessary ingredients to promote good relationships.
There is a common saying that together we stand, divided we fall. This is especially true in decision making. I agree with Rogers, 2003 by pointing out that a true collaborative leadership characterised by dialogue in which all voices are valued and power is shared is essential. Effective communication, tolerance, humility and love are necessary ingredients to promote good relationships.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES
Helping students with health and wellness issues touched my heart and would like to share some thought with you. There is a common Latin proverb which states that, “mens sana, incopore sano”, which literally means, “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body”. This is true and confirms what Ernest Boyer (1990) wrote that, “Students cannot be intellectually proficient if they are physically and psychologically unwell.” With this in mind, how do we as prospective administrators, student affairs professionals, teachers, Pastors, to name but a few, ensure that students entrusted into our hands get health support?
As rightly stated in the text (p. 267), the causes of health problems are many and vary from place to place. Majority, however, are due to genetic and environmental factors as well as attitude. My concern is about the environmental and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart diseases and several others. Once these theses are mostly contracted through our lifestyle, we can do something to facilitate their prevention. For instance, we can form a group to handle health problems and dissipate health information to students and the college community as a whole. This group collaborates with the health services in the institution to inform and educate students anytime there is a pandemic like the swine flu. Anytime health issue looms, members of this group look out of information and put it in public domain as swiftly as possible. An ounce of prevention, they say, is better than a pound of cure.
Obesity with its concomitant health problems can be prevented by educating vulnerable students to change their lifestyle. Too much sugar intake, late dinner, and excessive intake of refined starch should be avoided. With effective education and support, most physical and mental health problems prevalent in our schools can be prevented if not curtailed.
As rightly stated in the text (p. 267), the causes of health problems are many and vary from place to place. Majority, however, are due to genetic and environmental factors as well as attitude. My concern is about the environmental and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart diseases and several others. Once these theses are mostly contracted through our lifestyle, we can do something to facilitate their prevention. For instance, we can form a group to handle health problems and dissipate health information to students and the college community as a whole. This group collaborates with the health services in the institution to inform and educate students anytime there is a pandemic like the swine flu. Anytime health issue looms, members of this group look out of information and put it in public domain as swiftly as possible. An ounce of prevention, they say, is better than a pound of cure.
Obesity with its concomitant health problems can be prevented by educating vulnerable students to change their lifestyle. Too much sugar intake, late dinner, and excessive intake of refined starch should be avoided. With effective education and support, most physical and mental health problems prevalent in our schools can be prevented if not curtailed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
African movies
For full and unlimitted African movies, please click me It's free and you can watch it 24/7.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mission statement: Importance, challenges and suggestions
Every organisation including educational institutions has a mission statement, which is an articulation to its customers, employees and the entire world of the purpose of its existence. A careful and well-planned mission has some benefits. A few of such benefits have been discusses as follows:
Barr (2000) and Martin (1982) explanation of a mission gives one of the benefits. They say, "a mission reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there." p. 19. I would like to refer a mission as GPS that directs the institution to its desired destination. The exclusive purposes and values stated in the mission help its clientele to make prudent choices. In other words, for the institution to be successful, it has to have a clear and broad mission that resonates with the public and tells them why it would be beneficial to choose.
Besides, the mission represents the institution’s vision of how it would like to be seen by its clients (students and parents). Programs of the institution can easily be evaluated with a clear mission statement. These, and several others, are the reasons why mission statements are important for every organisation.
My concern lies in the fact that even though a mission statement is very important and serves as a guide for the development and expansion of every institution, why is it that a number of them fail to realize their objectives. For example, there has been secularization of most Christian institutions despite their well articulated mission statements. I think there are challenges that confront such institutions and make it difficult for the outlined objectives to be realized. I am glad to share with you some of the challenges and recommendations that will help decision makers particularly, student affair profession to overcome the academic turbulence.
First and foremost, competition makes authorities take some decisions to the detriment of the mission. Again, economic factors and lack of modern teaching/learning materials contribute to such constraints. Some faculty members are not dedicated to follow the values and several others.
There is a saying that you cut your coat according to the size of your cloth. Administrators should work within available resources in order not to ignore the intended purposes of the institution. Moreover, student affair professional should understand such mission statements and translate into academic programs. Values set out should be rigorously followed.
Barr (2000) and Martin (1982) explanation of a mission gives one of the benefits. They say, "a mission reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there." p. 19. I would like to refer a mission as GPS that directs the institution to its desired destination. The exclusive purposes and values stated in the mission help its clientele to make prudent choices. In other words, for the institution to be successful, it has to have a clear and broad mission that resonates with the public and tells them why it would be beneficial to choose.
Besides, the mission represents the institution’s vision of how it would like to be seen by its clients (students and parents). Programs of the institution can easily be evaluated with a clear mission statement. These, and several others, are the reasons why mission statements are important for every organisation.
My concern lies in the fact that even though a mission statement is very important and serves as a guide for the development and expansion of every institution, why is it that a number of them fail to realize their objectives. For example, there has been secularization of most Christian institutions despite their well articulated mission statements. I think there are challenges that confront such institutions and make it difficult for the outlined objectives to be realized. I am glad to share with you some of the challenges and recommendations that will help decision makers particularly, student affair profession to overcome the academic turbulence.
First and foremost, competition makes authorities take some decisions to the detriment of the mission. Again, economic factors and lack of modern teaching/learning materials contribute to such constraints. Some faculty members are not dedicated to follow the values and several others.
There is a saying that you cut your coat according to the size of your cloth. Administrators should work within available resources in order not to ignore the intended purposes of the institution. Moreover, student affair professional should understand such mission statements and translate into academic programs. Values set out should be rigorously followed.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Theory resistance
Theory and practice debate is like chicken and egg scenario-which one comes first or which is more important. The debate keeps going and those who feel it is useless to adopt theory have a point just as those who think otherwise. the authors for this week's assigned reading hit the nail right on the head by addressing those misconceptions as why some administrators do not incorporate theory into thier work. it is true that experienced administrators perfom well without necessarily applying any particular theory. But it is said that practice makes perfect: every strategy adopted by such experienced administrators has theoretical underpinning. the problem arises when the administrator is not proactive and thinks theory can solve all problems. that is not the case. Theory must must backed by practice and practice should be supported by theory. I believe a combination of the two makes a singnificant difference.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Supporting online students
The week two assigned readings left me some vital points which I want to share with you.Iit is obvious that technology has woven into the fabrics of higher education. However, little has been discussed about specific roles that student affairs professionals should play to support online students. To my understanding, student services cut accross-from admission office, financial services, library through academic support personnel- all have crucial roles to play in assisting both online and campus students. From what I've observed, in Andrews University and other institutions that I attended, there is no proper coordination among these offices. In executing thier duties, they tend to support students in areas they may not even be skillful.
I think there should be a well coordinated efforts to support online students and these officials should also be trained in specific areas to acquire the requisit skills. For example, if Natasha is not tech-saavy, how could she support students online to perform creditably. Is there any concrete measures put in place to train her or give her the needed support? You cannot give what you do not have! therefore, support of staff and faculty in technology is crucial.
I therefore agree with the recommendations made by Dare and other writers that student affairs professionals should establish positions with duties focused entirely on the needs of online students. I also subscribe to the fact that with lack of resources, the university should participate in a consortium to deliver online students services. If these admonitions are adhered to, there is no doubt that technology can be used to improve online delevery systems in higher educational institutions and competetions will be vibrant.
I think there should be a well coordinated efforts to support online students and these officials should also be trained in specific areas to acquire the requisit skills. For example, if Natasha is not tech-saavy, how could she support students online to perform creditably. Is there any concrete measures put in place to train her or give her the needed support? You cannot give what you do not have! therefore, support of staff and faculty in technology is crucial.
I therefore agree with the recommendations made by Dare and other writers that student affairs professionals should establish positions with duties focused entirely on the needs of online students. I also subscribe to the fact that with lack of resources, the university should participate in a consortium to deliver online students services. If these admonitions are adhered to, there is no doubt that technology can be used to improve online delevery systems in higher educational institutions and competetions will be vibrant.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My first posting
I really struggled to have this blog done but I hope to master it. I must first of all thank Natasha for infusing this great innovation into the system. It's an opportunity for me to know more about communication systems that facilitate student services.
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