Communication and Decision-making at Guilford
Three special Web-based publications entitled Where to Go? Whom to Call?, Who Gets to Decide? and Myths and Facts were introduced to campus in the fall of 2003 as part of President Kent Chabotar's comprehensive plan to improve campus communications and decision-making processes.
In the president's inauguration address in April 2003 he stated, "Decision-making processes must be transparent. We need open windows and not closed doors. People of good will are more likely to agree when information is accurate, accessible and abundant."
Where to Go? Whom to Call? is reminiscent of the theme song for the 1980s hit movie Ghostbusters (Who ya gonna call?). It is a listing of subjects about which students and employees frequently have questions. Positions and contact people are listed for each subject.
Who Gets to Decide? is a list of important issues that are decided on a regular basis, with references to the decision-maker(s). Many decisions outside the classroom are made after wide consultation and even by consensus in line with our Quaker principles. The ultimate decision-maker is often the president or the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the president.
Myths and Facts is a list of myths related to the academic, admission/campus life, advancement and finance areas of the college, as well as some college-wide myths. Facts are supplied for each myth, with the source of accurate information cited.
The publications are the product of nearly six months of work by task groups who researched points of information that will be helpful to faculty, staff, students and other constituents of the college. Editors consulted with people across campus as they put together drafts of each publication, which were then shared with small focus groups of faculty, staff and students. Suggestions for change offered by the focus groups were incorporated into the current versions of the publications.
In their Web-based format, the publications are subject to change based on additional feedback. Questions or suggestions should be submitted to Ty Buckner in the Office of Communications and Marketing (rbuckner@guilford.edu).