In the case of SJSU's most-recent PR gaffe, no one takes responsibility for the poor decision-making process applied in the original action to withdraw the invitations. Instead, the problem is framed as a breakdown in communication. Rather than examining the actions, interactions, and perspectives that went into the decision, the problem is glossed over--to be repeated at a later time. SJSU is well known for its classical approach to communication, with an emphasis on top-down communication, rules and regulations, and crushing paperwork. The uninvited students followed part of the rules--indicating their initial acceptance and sending in their money (and SJSU cashed the checks). But they failed to complete the other two steps, registering for orientation and placement tests. This experience should provide an important lesson for these students in navigating the massive bureaucracy that is SJSU.
Can SJSU alter its approach to organizing? Is it possible for the university to adopt a different metaphor for organization? As part of larger bureaucratic systems--the CSU and the State of California--changing the metaphor will prove challenging. Can SJSU survive without changing? Consider this from the first article about the uninvites:
SJSU got a whopping 24,500 applications from high school seniors hoping to enroll this fall. Harris credits this record-breaking popularity to its Silicon Valley location. But unlike most other CSU campuses, SJSU is confined by its urban geography - so it can't grow.
A traditional approach to higher education would suggest that SJSU is bounded by San Fernando, Fourth, Tenth, and San Salvador Streets. But is a university just its physical location. What about online learning? How might SJSU grow in other ways that don't involve constructing new buildings? For example, the School of Library and Information Sciences uses Second Life to teach some classes. Is it possible for a bureaucracy to promote creativity and innovation? How has SLIS managed to do that at SJSU?
Just a few questions to consider near the end of this first week in COMM 144.--Professor Cyborg
2 comments:
There are many opportunities for online learning. I'm quite surprised by the comment that the university "can't grow". Especially in Silicon Valley, where there are new technology products developed each day, there are ample opportunities to grow, learn and collaborate.
Social networking sites (myspace, facebook), SecondLife, blogs, wikis, collaboration tools, etc. all support 'breaking down the walls' to traditional learning methods and allow people to share information faster and more creatively.
lotusblossom, Thank you for your comment. You've hit precisely on the point I'm trying to make. The university needs to get over its antipathy toward online learning (focusing more on the tomorrow part of the 150th anniversary and less on the tradition part). Hiring more forward-looking faculty and staff (especially in eCampus) would go a long way toward growing the campus in innovative ways. At this point, the emphasis is on Blackboard, which students and faculty find cumbersome, clunky, user unfriendly, and boring.
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