STUDY OF A SELF-STUDY COMMITTEE Using Schein’s Categories of Culture Theory and Berlo’s SMCR Communication Theory Trish Halder – LDR 630 March 9, 2011

Introduction Mission of Kellogg Community College (KCC): To prepare and graduate students with meaningful degrees so they can either enter the work world or transfer to four-year colleges.* Accreditation is crucial if educational institutions wish to accomplish their mission of preparing and graduating students with meaningful degrees Definition of accreditation: “to certify [a school, college, or the like] as meeting all formal official requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities, etc.” (Dictionary.com) KCC is up for reaccreditation in 2012 KCC is preparing a comprehensive self-study document in preparation for the reaccreditation process, using nine self-study teams * Trish’s unofficial definition

TEAM 2 BREAKDOWN Role on CommitteeKCC Organizational Level or “Sub-Culture” Co-Team LeaderAdministration Co-Team LeaderFaculty Committee Members (6)Administration Committee Members (2)Faculty Committee MemberSupport Staff Committee Member/RecorderSupport Staff Total Administration: 7 Total Faculty: 3 Total Support Staff: 2 Total Team: 12

Schein’s Categories of Culture Diagram MACROCULTURES Nations, ethnic and religious groups, occupations that exist globally ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURES Private, public, non-profit government organizations SUBCULTURES Occupational groups within organizations Three generic subcultures: operator, engineering, executive MICROCULTURES Microsystems within or outside organizations

Schein’s Categories Applied to Team 2 MACROCULTURE United States ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE Kellogg Community College SUBCULTURE Operator = Support Staff Engineering = Faculty Executive = Administration MICROCULTURE Self-Study Team 2

SUBCULTURE DETAILS SUPPORT STAFF (OPERATOR): Serve in “front-line” positions Must react as situations arise Share similar educational background – both have Bachelor degrees FACULTY (ENGINEERING): Only subculture with flexible working hours (based on teaching schedules) Have more personal and consistent contact with students Share similar educational background – two Doctorates and one Masters degree ADMINISTRATION (EXECUTIVE): Each is in charge of a division, center, or department at KCC Experience similar concerns/stress associated with their levels of responsibility Share similar educational background – five Masters (two exceptions: one Bachelor, one Associate degree) UNIFYING MISSION THAT BONDS TEAM 2 AS A MICROCULTURE: To work together to write a comprehensive chapter of KCC’s self-study document, which will be used to determine if the College receives reaccreditation.

Berlo’s SMCR Diagram (

Berlo’s SMCR Communication Theory Explanation SOURCE: the person who originates a thought they wish to convey to someone ENCODING: the process of the source converting their thought into words MESSAGE: the actual information the Source is relaying CHANNEL: the medium used to deliver the message (1 or more of the 5 senses) DECODING: the process of the Receiver interpreting the Source’s message RECEIVER: the person to whom the Source’s message was directed PROs: One of the first communication theories to recognize the receiver as integral to the process; encoding and decoding emphasized the difficulty we all face when translating our thoughts and deciphering others’ words. CONs: The theory assumes the Source and Receiver share common levels of skills and knowledge; it ignores humans’ sixth sense – the ability to think, understand and analyze.

Berlo’s Theory Applied to Team 2 SOURCEMESSAGECHANNELRECEIVER 2 TEAM LEADERSSELF-STUDY INFOHEARING10 TEAM MEMBERS Keep it clear; check with receivers; listen to questions Specific to mission (Content) Face-to-face meetings; phone calls between meetings Seek clarification and ask questions when appropriate Upbeat/positive; understanding of the committee’s stress Body language: engaged (faculty); relaxed (admin.) (Elements/Code) Willing to put forth considerable effort Obvious they’ve done research; honest about still learning Importance of staying on task stressed (Treatment) SEEING Computer image on screen; printed handouts; ; Minutes Knowledge of self- study is growing and evolving Both value the College and believe in the mission of the committee Clear/concise (Structure) All U.S. citizens and share common cultural values and beliefs

Conclusions Team 2 is a microculture, comprised of three distinct subcultures, which is bound by the mission of writing an effective chapter of the self- study to help the College gain reaccreditation. We have been successful so far due in part to effective, clear, and concise communication that has kept us on track. We have turned in our second draft to the Steering committee by their deadline and are awaiting their feedback.