Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sterotypes in education "here for the money"
We deal with students all the time and have many barely hidden stereotypes among faculty. The one that I hear the most is that students are only here until they get their financial aid check then leave and that this is particularly true of basic skills students. Let's start the discussion and look for evidence - to support or refute the stereotype. Then let's discuss other contributing factors to see if we can either change our attitudes or change the behavior of students.
Principles of Consultation
Let's discuss consultation. What do you think of the following "ground rules"
http://info.bahai.org/article-1-3-6-3.html
First, information should be gathered from the widest possible range of sources, seeking a diversity of points of view. Do we need input from specialists, such as doctors, lawyers, artists, or construction workers? If so, we bring them into the group. Will the decision affect an entire community? If so, we seek the input of community members from diverse backgrounds, be they racial, ethnic, economic, or the like. We do everything in our power to get all the information and as many points of view as possible.
Second, participants must make every effort to be as frank and candid as possible, but must also show courtesy and respect for the views of others. There is no room for personal attacks, prejudice, or efforts by any individual or subgroup to gain control of the proceedings.
Third, ideas become the property of the group as soon as they are brought up. No individual, subgroup, or constituency has any claim on any idea, nor do ideas exist in this setting to serve anyone but the group or community as a whole. You will not gain power or prestige from having your idea adopted. But neither will you descend into shame or be "cut out" of the process should your idea not be adopted. Every idea advances the consultative process, even if it is ultimately discarded. This principle not only safeguards the unity of the group, it also promotes the generation of ideas that are motivated by a sincere desire to serve rather than those born of selfish interest. The competition is no longer between competing individuals or subgroups, but between competing ideas. Compromise doesn't enter into the equation; the only goal is to find the best ideas.
Finally, in consultation we strive for unanimity. If at all possible, we want a decision that everyone feels comfortable supporting based upon its merits. But should this not prove possible, a majority vote can be taken. And here we find another difference between consultation and most other forms of decision-making. Once the vote is case, the result represents the decision of the entire group. There is no "minority report", no "dissenting opinion." Votes by individuals are not recorded and subsequently reported so everyone knows who was "for" the decision and who was "against" it. The decision is the decision of the group as a whole, as if it had been a unanimous vote. The entire group must in unity obey and support that decision.
But what if the decision was wrong? We are, after all, talking here about a group of human beings. Even with the best intentions and with the best information they can gather, it is possible that a majority vote, or even a unanimous decision, might be in error. Can nobody speak out if they feel an error has been made?
In fact, consultation is an ongoing process. A decision, once made, is not set in stone. Rather, it will be periodically reviewed to determine how well it is working and adjusted as necessary. But there is a difference between pointing out, in the spirit of consultation, a perceived problem and actively opposing a decision. Through consultation, the group or community is united in seeking and making a decision, in carrying out that decision, and in reviewing and improving upon that decision.
Of course, we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that Bahá'í consultation is a panacea, a magic formula that somehow cures all the ills found in traditional decision-making systems. Rather, it is a skill that must be learned, practiced, and perfected. It both relies upon and facilitates the spiritual growth of its participants. However, any group that dedicates itself to learning, practicing, and perfecting consultation skills will reap enormous benefits.
And the best thing is, you don't even have to be a Bahá'í to use it!
http://info.bahai.org/article-1-3-6-3.html
First, information should be gathered from the widest possible range of sources, seeking a diversity of points of view. Do we need input from specialists, such as doctors, lawyers, artists, or construction workers? If so, we bring them into the group. Will the decision affect an entire community? If so, we seek the input of community members from diverse backgrounds, be they racial, ethnic, economic, or the like. We do everything in our power to get all the information and as many points of view as possible.
Second, participants must make every effort to be as frank and candid as possible, but must also show courtesy and respect for the views of others. There is no room for personal attacks, prejudice, or efforts by any individual or subgroup to gain control of the proceedings.
Third, ideas become the property of the group as soon as they are brought up. No individual, subgroup, or constituency has any claim on any idea, nor do ideas exist in this setting to serve anyone but the group or community as a whole. You will not gain power or prestige from having your idea adopted. But neither will you descend into shame or be "cut out" of the process should your idea not be adopted. Every idea advances the consultative process, even if it is ultimately discarded. This principle not only safeguards the unity of the group, it also promotes the generation of ideas that are motivated by a sincere desire to serve rather than those born of selfish interest. The competition is no longer between competing individuals or subgroups, but between competing ideas. Compromise doesn't enter into the equation; the only goal is to find the best ideas.
Finally, in consultation we strive for unanimity. If at all possible, we want a decision that everyone feels comfortable supporting based upon its merits. But should this not prove possible, a majority vote can be taken. And here we find another difference between consultation and most other forms of decision-making. Once the vote is case, the result represents the decision of the entire group. There is no "minority report", no "dissenting opinion." Votes by individuals are not recorded and subsequently reported so everyone knows who was "for" the decision and who was "against" it. The decision is the decision of the group as a whole, as if it had been a unanimous vote. The entire group must in unity obey and support that decision.
But what if the decision was wrong? We are, after all, talking here about a group of human beings. Even with the best intentions and with the best information they can gather, it is possible that a majority vote, or even a unanimous decision, might be in error. Can nobody speak out if they feel an error has been made?
In fact, consultation is an ongoing process. A decision, once made, is not set in stone. Rather, it will be periodically reviewed to determine how well it is working and adjusted as necessary. But there is a difference between pointing out, in the spirit of consultation, a perceived problem and actively opposing a decision. Through consultation, the group or community is united in seeking and making a decision, in carrying out that decision, and in reviewing and improving upon that decision.
Of course, we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that Bahá'í consultation is a panacea, a magic formula that somehow cures all the ills found in traditional decision-making systems. Rather, it is a skill that must be learned, practiced, and perfected. It both relies upon and facilitates the spiritual growth of its participants. However, any group that dedicates itself to learning, practicing, and perfecting consultation skills will reap enormous benefits.
And the best thing is, you don't even have to be a Bahá'í to use it!
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