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Clackamas Community College
ccc
Thursday,
February
10, 1977
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power
structure
debated
By Harry Bielskis
News Editor
In a forum held at Clackamas Community
lege last week, an Associated Student
ernment senator attacked the "tradi-
hal" philosophy and structure of CCC's
ministration. The gathering was an open
cussion attended by members of the stu
nt body, faculty and administration.
The topic of the discussion was govern-
ce ■■ the philosophy and structure of
Ministration - and remarks were centered
round a panel of representatives consisting
| Jerry Bellavita, ASG senator; Jacque-
arie Arellano, math instructor; and Dr.
•ward Fryett, assistant to the president.
A present at the meeting was Bonnie
Ones, chairperson of the CCC Board of
■cation.
"We are a community of diverse interests
baring a need for educational service," said
Bellavita. "This service should be as flexible
Ind effective as possible. Our present admi-
nistrative structure will not allow that quali-
L to come through."
1I Bellavita directly related the problems of
I function in administration at CCC to its use
ijthe "managerial concept" - the idea that
jple need to be "directed and held to-
:her by a group body or an individual in
jer to accomplish a given task.
Plant paramedic
Photo by Jerry Wheeler
Horticulture student Linda Corbett examines an avacado suffering from what seems t<>
be 'witches broom" disease. This and other sick plants are treated in the horticulture
department greenhouse located near Clairmont Hall. See related story, page 4.
"This concept is weak because the flow
information and decision-making appa
lls is directed to only one group of peo-
i where administrative leadership is exer-
ed," said Bellavita.
Bellavita then suggested a "community of
terest" concept which involves a central
¡erest (in this case education) that brings
Ople into common relationship.
I Bellavita likened this concept to a cir-
:ular structure or sphere containing the
¡ommunity's central interest in the center,
a handout distributed at the forum on col
lege management philosophy.
"Communication seems to be our biggest
problem," said Arellano. "No structure can
work effectively without it." Her remark
reflected criticism voiced by other faculty
members in recent years, she said.
Faculty
believe that communication
downward is not always as good as it should
be, said Arellano. They complain that cur
riculum planning and instructional materials
are not always done by specialists and feel
nd a hierarchy of outer rings consisting
that the college philosophy needs to be
;f the Board of Education, staff, commu
more democratic.
nity and students respectively.
To improve communications between
I Bellavita felt the concentric circle con
cept had an advantage over the presently- deans and themselves, faculty members re
commended some changes. They believed
used managerial concept which he likened
more individuals in all departments needed
to a pyramid power structure that emanates
to communicate with each other beyond
all authority from the top to each lower
Revel.
I "In order to accomplish a broad and
complex mission involving many people
and multiple resources in a great variety of
activities, it is necessary to structure an
organization which is built around the con-
cepts of authority, accountability, involve-
ment, and communication," said Fryett in
centimeters
Colors by Muriseli Color Services Lab
their respective departments. Another sug
gested improvement was that more explicit
job descriptions were needed to clarify
roles.
"This suggestion could come in the form
of a job description handbook which should
be updated and include responsibilities,"
said Arellano.
Collective bargaining plays a key role in
governance for some at the forum. Once the
closed door decision-making process was
initiated, friction between faculty and ad
ministration increased.
"Before collective bargaining came in,
the staff had more decision-making influ
ence. As collective bargaining increases,
governance will decrease," said Fryett. "This
is an unfortunate situation of course, but
this is the way it happens."