Community | Diversity | Equality | Accountability | Success for Students | Suggestions
The move towards flattening of the hierarchal leadership model, as far as voice and contribution within the division, has helped develop the commitment to equality made by the Campus Compact. Many departments reported an enhanced sense of equality among coworkers and commented on the value of individual contribution to initiatives. Interviewees commented on how they were better able to follow the energy of concepts and increase productivity because of the shift towards more even ground.
"It doesn't matter who the person is, with the Campus Compact you are empowering them at all levels to work with people. It doesn't matter if you have a doctorate, a bachelor's, or no degree at all you are empowered to make this a successful university. From the most minor position to the President's office, they are all important positions and they all deal with people. We all have impacts on the lives of students and other faculty members. It enables people to be involved in conversations."
"There are some work environments that are hierarchical and constrain employees into levels of stratification. As a result people's intelligence and value are judged by what title they have rather that who they really are. In Student Affairs we have discovered the value of recognizing each person's value. The Campus Compact exemplifies that. I'm glad to be a part of an organization which values me and gives me the opportunity and belief that I have something to add. This has meant a lot to me so I like to see what I can do to pass it on and create opportunities for others or help someone else recognize their value. In response to a question on why, at an institution of higher education, such as, OSU they experience so much snobbery and hierarchy. Someone said 'Higher education is the breeding ground for classism'. I feel proud that the Campus Compact is a document that empowers every person and lets the air out of the tires of classism and elitism."
"We really strive for our student workers to be an actual part of our office. They don't just come to work every day and do their job, they are part of our family. We had one student worker in the MEO from the day that it started and she was here the entire time. So she grew with us and became part of our family. Then she became a very important part of NCBI and Student Affairs. We watched her grow from the teenager that came out of high school to the wonderful young woman that she is today and she is finishing her Master's degree and she's going into teaching. I feel that she played an integral part in who we are. We have another student now that stepped in when Rashanna left and I am learning as much from her as she is from me. I feel that that has been a very unique experience that I don't necessarily know is offered in other work places. I think that is really unique to Student Affairs or maybe just this office... I believe that the students have just as much to contribute to the MEO as some of us that show up here to work everyday. I think that without the input of the students we wouldn't go anywhere. I don't know that it is like that all over campus, but I know that I see that a lot in Student Affairs and I believe that it certainly comes out of the Campus Compact."
"One thing I have noticed at the other universities is that there is a big disconnect between the administrators and the people who have to do more of the face-time with the students and the facilities. I have always felt that it is almost like a classist situation. We worry about people being racist and homophobic, but a lot of times people don't think about how classist we often are. It's not like that here, but I try to make sure that the people that I work with have a sense that however anybody contributes, that is important and there is value in what they contribute."
Some people commented on how at times it has been difficult because individual interests have compromised the camaraderie in working towards the vision of the Campus Compact.
"Sometimes it doesn't seem that people want to working towards a vision. Some people want more management more of a pyramid structure. Which is fine, there is always a place for that sort of thing, but sometimes I think that it conflicts with the vision of what our Compact is all about. Sometimes I have to resist my own temptation to be a top down manager."
