Symbols and Rituals in Higher Education: Davidson County Community College
How do leaders use symbols and rituals to influence organizational culture on your campus?
To begin the discussion of symbols and rituals in higher education and formulate an analysis of how they impact organizational culture, the reader must understand the working definition of that culture. As noted in the readings, many definitions exist, consequently for the scope of this paper we will take the lead of Kuh and Whitt. Defining organizational culture as the “collective, mutually shaping patterns of norms, values, practices, beliefs, and assumptions that guide the behavior of individuals and groups in an institute of higher education and provide a frame of reference …show more content…
College administrators utilize a variety of rituals to establish themselves as the dominant power on campus. Here at Davidson County Community College, each semester is called to order with a mandatory opening session, led by the president of the college. This ritual calls together the college faculty to hear campus updates, discuss the summer required reading and other housekeeping items as seen fit by the president’s staff. This ritual cements the leadership in the position of ultimate authority over each subordinate …show more content…
These range from offices which overlook prominent areas of campus to murals painted on the walls of various buildings. The most entrenched symbols of control is the location of the college president’s office, commonly referred to as the “Glass Palace”, located in the B.E. Mendenhall building. This office overlooks the expansive grassy knoll of the college entrance where graduation has been traditionally held for many years. This second story area houses the most influential members of the president’s staff and is at the center of decisions made on campus. There is also enormous symbolism in the fact that this office is located at the highest point on campus. Connection to the community, both past and present, is found in the mural painted at the entrance to the meeting rooms in the Rittling Conference Center. Here a colorful portrayal of the colleges past and future can be found spreading across the expansive hallway. Just across the hall one will find one of the most ornate rooms on campus, the College History Room. Housing historical documents and items given to the college, this room remains locked to all but the most influential visitors. Spread around campus are several commemorative plaques in front of trees bequeathed by various organizations on campus. These are symbolic of the growth that was established with represented groups. A fountain spraying brilliant blue
How do leaders use symbols and rituals to influence organizational culture on your campus?
To begin the discussion of symbols and rituals in higher education and formulate an analysis of how they impact organizational culture, the reader must understand the working definition of that culture. As noted in the readings, many definitions exist, consequently for the scope of this paper we will take the lead of Kuh and Whitt. Defining organizational culture as the “collective, mutually shaping patterns of norms, values, practices, beliefs, and assumptions that guide the behavior of individuals and groups in an institute of higher education and provide a frame of reference …show more content…
College administrators utilize a variety of rituals to establish themselves as the dominant power on campus. Here at Davidson County Community College, each semester is called to order with a mandatory opening session, led by the president of the college. This ritual calls together the college faculty to hear campus updates, discuss the summer required reading and other housekeeping items as seen fit by the president’s staff. This ritual cements the leadership in the position of ultimate authority over each subordinate …show more content…
These range from offices which overlook prominent areas of campus to murals painted on the walls of various buildings. The most entrenched symbols of control is the location of the college president’s office, commonly referred to as the “Glass Palace”, located in the B.E. Mendenhall building. This office overlooks the expansive grassy knoll of the college entrance where graduation has been traditionally held for many years. This second story area houses the most influential members of the president’s staff and is at the center of decisions made on campus. There is also enormous symbolism in the fact that this office is located at the highest point on campus. Connection to the community, both past and present, is found in the mural painted at the entrance to the meeting rooms in the Rittling Conference Center. Here a colorful portrayal of the colleges past and future can be found spreading across the expansive hallway. Just across the hall one will find one of the most ornate rooms on campus, the College History Room. Housing historical documents and items given to the college, this room remains locked to all but the most influential visitors. Spread around campus are several commemorative plaques in front of trees bequeathed by various organizations on campus. These are symbolic of the growth that was established with represented groups. A fountain spraying brilliant blue