This is a major sub heading under education.
I was troubled reading an article in the LA Times June 19th, 07, front page entitled “A killing kept in the shadows”. Here is the background to the story. It seams that Eastern Michigan University allegedly tried to keep from the public the killing of one of its students in Hill Hall. Hill Hall is located in Ypsilanti and is a ten-story brick building. A 22-year-old women student was killed in her room. Allegedly, the college officials knew a lot…
Most state universities have what is called “fund based accounting”. This is where a staff member or department applies for money by making a proposal. Sounds pretty straightforward and simple. Problem is this. There is no incentive to spend less money after the project is approved. Usually if less money is spent a dean or VP sweeps it up at the end of the fiscal year. Very few staff members will try to cut costs. Guess who gets to pay…
Reported to us is this situation at one state university campus known for its koi and roses. The president of the university has a vision, which appears well thought out and probably does properly serve the customer. Part of the problem is this; the focus is lost. Allegedly there is a large turn over of managers at various levels for a variety of reasons. One reason is the hiring practices are manual meaning that no Internet or e-mail processing is…
Sent by the university president’s office by e-mail: Good Morning, Could you please let me know if you plan to attend the retirement dinner on Thursday, May 24? Whether you plan to attend or not please RSVP by responding to this email as we are trying to finalize our count. Thank you and Congratulations on your retirement! Office of the President My reply: A faculty member friend came to me and suggested that I retire before the university moved our…
State educational institutions typically under perform private institutions for attracting top students and gaining financial endowments for a number of reasons. For proof of this allegation, one only needs to look at the college and university rankings offered by some of the major news and business magazines. This division of performance, or stated differently, making a longer continuum ruler of differences, perpetuates the current society condition of the rich getting more and the have not categories of our society never…
In the April 30th issue of Newsweek in the article devoted to “Making of a Massacre” numerous examples were made describing not one but just about all of the bureaucratic offices could not effectively communicating with one another. For anyone that has worked for a college or university it just might not surprise that body of people. The reason? Colleges and universities are based upon the military model of leadership. It is top down command. Lateral communication is possible but…
