Fitting Form to Function : A Primer on the Organization of Academic Institutions

Rudolph H. Weingartner

ISBN 10: 1442211997 / ISBN 13: 9781442211995

Editore: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2011

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nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - Written informally, Fitting Form to Function that the way in which the various departments within colleges and universities are organized has a direct impact on their effectiveness. Factors such as reporting structures, what kinds of committees are formed, and how the administration and faculty collaborate to make decisions all play key roles in how well an institution meets its objectives. Weingartner also includes 27 maxims, such as #17 Boundaries are less likely to create solidarity among those who live within them than they constitute barriers for those residing outside them.

Codice articolo 9781442211995

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Fitting Form to Function : A Primer on the Organization of Academic Institutions
• Editore: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Data di pubblicazione: 2011
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 1442211997
• ISBN 13: 9781442211995
• Rilegatura: Taschenbuch
• Edizione: seconda edizione
• Condizione: Neu
• Dimensioni: 229 L x 152 A x 9 P (millimetri) 229 millimetri di larghezza per 152 millimetri di altezza per 9 millimetri di profondità
• Peso: 254 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Institutions of higher education are not like corporations: they have multiple goals, not even limited to the central ones of teaching and research, nor are they organized hierarchically. One class of leading inhabitants, faculty members, are a cross between independent contractors and employees; another class, administrators, are a cross between bosses and colleagues. Fitting Form to Function discusses how such institutions are best organized; how decisions are best made at various levels; how administrators and faculty can effectively collaborate in giving shape to a university or college. The book takes up such topics as the office of the president, of the provost, the dean and the chairperson of a department. It considers how committees are formed to function effectively-from a faculty senate to budget and planning committees to those that advise on promotions and others that adjudicate when there are grievances. Fitting Form to Function is written in an informal style. No jargon, no footnotes, but sporting 27 recurring maxims, such as Maxim 1, In academic institutions, the forces of nature are centrifugal; organizational art must be used to create propensities toward coherence; Maxim 17, Boundaries are less likely to create solidarity among those who live within them than they constitute barriers for those residing outside them; and Maxim 23, 'A' people hire (or retain) 'A' people, while 'B' people hire 'C' people.

Informazioni sull?autore

Rudolph H. Weingartner emigrated to New York from Nazi Germany in 1939. He earned his doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University. His career as a teacher and scholar has included chairing three philosophy departments, serving as dean at Northwestern, and as provost at the University of Pittsburgh. He has written books and articles on numerous topics and has variously pursued his strong interests in music and art.