Lecture Notes: Governing in a World of Law,

Policy and Politics

HEOC 725

There are two keys to a successful career in college in administration. First one must have a well-developed sense of self. Second, one must know how to interact effectively with others. This seems simple, but in reality very few people possess both of the key attributes.

Legally, the governance of a college is vested in its board. Boards are called by various names such as “board of trustees,” “board of control,” “board of governors,” or “board of visitors.”.

Almost without exception, board members are volunteers and spend only part of their time on board activities. For that reason, they expect that their boards will be guided by the institution’s chief executive officer. The CEO may be called a “president” or a chancellor.”

The most effective boards form close partnerships with the chief executive officer. Although they employ and evaluate the performance of the CEO, they also expect the CEO to act as their teacher or coach. The CEO can remind the board of its legal and moral role and responsibilities and can keep the board informed on policy issues that will demand board attention and action.

Ideally, the board governs with guidance of the CEO. This does not mean that the board always accepts the CEO’s judgment, but if the CEO’s recommendations are routinely discarded by the board, it is probably time for a new college president. In this session, we will assume a good working relationship of board and CEO.

Governing a college or university is complicated because those who govern:

1) serve multiple constituencies, 2) are constrained in the choices

they can legally make, and 3) face ethical “right vs. right” dilemmas4) function as symbols of the institution

Rushworth Kidder has identified four common, moral dilemmas:- truth vs. loyalty- individual vs. community- short-term vs. long-term- justice vs. mercy

These are all “right vs. right” dilemmas.

Shall I be loyal or tell the truth?Is the individual more worthy than the group?Is it better to have something good today than to have something good later?Is it better to do justice or to love mercy?

What if I have a friend and patron who could benefit from some inside information about an impending college real estate purchase.

Would it by wrong to tell my friend about a pending real estate purchase that is officially “confidential”?

Is it wrong to jeopardize the state’s system of colleges and universities in order to gain some advantage for my college?

When some departments are going without, does it make sense to lay aside some money to guard against even worse situations in the future?

When I am crossed by a colleague, should I simply put the matter behind me or should I seek some sort of concession from him/her in retribution?

These are choices that administrators make on a daily basis.

Before embarking on an administrative career, it is best to know one’s preferences when it comes to resolving ethical dilemmas.

Administrators need to realize that they are never “off duty.” Like all professionals, they carry their profession with them wherever they go.

A college administrator is always a symbol of the college that employees him or her. His or her behavior will affect the institution.

Within the institution, the administrator will be judged constantly – even when he or she is not on center stage.

College administrators have lost standing because they read their email or filed their nails during a curriculum committee meeting . Administrators are expected to be “always on.”

College officials must model and encourage:1) mutual respect;2) transparency while protecting confidences3) communication4) vision5) moral courage6) leadership

College leaders must invest time in their own physical, moral and spiritual health. Overwork is usually counterproductive when it reaches the (sometimes unrecognizable) level of sheer exhaustion.

Leaders with rewarding personal lives ore more effective than those who devote everything to their career.

Be cautious about turning official travel into recreation and relaxation. More than one college leader has been fired when his junkets became common knowledge.

Vacations are a good idea. Spend your own money and not that of the institution your serve.

Keep your sense of humor but control it. You simply are not as free to use humor as you were when you did not occupy a position of authority.

Never ridicule. Ridicule should be left to those who do not represent the college.

Self-deprecating humor is often appreciated as a sign of humanity in the administrator.

Be generous in sharing your vision and hopes for the institution. People who work and study at the college often feel strained and strain can lead to discouragement and despair. In his famous leadership of a group of shipwrecked explorers, Commander Ernest Shackleton demonstrated the value of optimism. It can inspire the rank and file and produce remarkable results in an organization.

When asked why he had announced that Americans would land on the moon, John F. Kennedy told a story he had heard from Irish poet Frank Connolly.

According to Connolly, as a youth he and his friends had wandered fields near his home. The fields were separated by walls and when the boys came to a wall that seemed too high to climb, they would throw their caps over the wall. Then it was clear they HAD to find a way to get over the wall.

One of the most important jobs of the president is to throw a cap over the wall

When an administrator combines a strong sense of self with the ability to persuade others, she probably will succeed in whatever positions she takes.

Take some time to reflect on whether you are that kind of person. If not, you probably will be happier in another calling.

If a career in college or university administration seems right for you, learn to take satisfaction in your work. It’s likely that you’ll never be compensated adequately for your long hours work. But if the career is right for you, satisfaction will come from a job well done.