Sunday,
July 24, 2001
Monday,
July 25, 2001
Facilitator: Janeil Guerra
Recorder: Amy Persell
·
Difficulty of relating the message of the learning college
within the classified staff structure
·
Communication within the organization
·
It is important to have focused marketing and recruitment
materials specifically to classified staff
·
It is important to involve Human Resources staff at
Learning College project seminars
·
It is important to involve people at all levels of the
institution in the Learning College project—administration, classified staff,
faculty and students. The Learning College is here and we cannot exist without
it.
·
How do classified staff roles need to change to help the
institution become more learning centered? Classified staff need to take a role
in changing the architecture.
·
Bonuses and incentives need to be equitable among
classified staff, administration, and faculty.
·
Training is needed on the historical role of the community
college and the funding structure of the institution.
·
Customer service training. Training staff on how to deal
with all kinds of customers.
·
The role of all members of the campus community needs to
be clear with regards to the orientation and engagement of students and student
success processes.
·
Classified groups are important for communication and
support, unionized or not. Classified
senates have been successful in the past as a communication tool. Many felt these are especially successful
when the President has a strong role. It is important to have opportunities to
bring concerns to administration.
·
Involve all members of the campus community in hiring
search committees.
·
Classified staff need to have a role in all campus
committees, task forces, and teams. Representation is important and
administration needs to take a role in making sure this takes place.
·
Maintain the attitude and belief that anything is
possible, regardless of campus size, unionization of classified staff, etc…
·
Survey all classified staff on relevant issues at their
shift time. For example, meet with the night custodial staff at midnight. It
shows that their opinion is valued.
·
Formalize conversations with classified staff,
administration, and faculty on what the community college means. One idea:
orientation sessions and open forums.
·
Provide moral boosters! Give away t-shirts that say
“Celebrate Learning.” This shows a
clear involvement in the Learning College Project by all members of the campus
community as well as uniting employees.
·
Have all staff college meetings and in-services at a time
when all classified staff can attend. Provide subs for all–day retreats or have
administration take over. It is
important to not just chose times that are good for faculty or administration.
·
Utilize a mentor program. Either student to employee or
employee to employee.
·
Incorporate the role of a classified staff member of a
Learning College into the job description. Then it is important to educate
employees on what that means so the conversations can take place at any time,
any place, and with any member of the campus community.
·
Introduction and orientation of part-time, hourly,
classified staff.
·
Require that all employees attend an orientation.
·
Provides opportunities for interaction with administration
other than supervisors. For example,
hold a drawing for lunch with the President/Chancellor.
·
Get support staff out of their offices and in touch with
students. It is important to have administrators and supervisors support and
encourage these activities.
·
Wear “ask me” badges.
Everyone can help students, it brings the college back to the reality of why we are here and everyone has a responsibility of sending the messages of a Learning College. Providing the student with additional connections to campus increases the likelihood of retention and chances for success.