Week 8: Political Model

This video is about Week 8: Political Model

[julielindburg]

One aspect of the political model that surprised me was the fact that a common characteristic of the model is fluid participation. I understood that inactivity is common, but I did not think about the fact that interest groups/coalitions commonly change depending on the current "conflict" or circumstance. In my past roles in higher education, specific groups were already created (ex: governing boards), so group think was more common rather than interest groups being created and dismantled depending on the circumstance. I am guessing this is more common in committees in which groups of people come together for a specific task. I am excited to learn more in class! Thank you Shanice, Kate, and Yousef!

[austinlujan]

4:01 Conflict is normal, but the conflict is complex. I like how you phrased that overarching political perspective. When I was reading that part in Manning it stood out to me as a "cop out" for dealing with the conflict but now that I've reflected on the content it makes sense that conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing and it can be approached through ways such as: collaboration, compromising, accommodating, avoiding, and competing.

I do find it interesting that when we talk about the "inactivity prevails" part, some people tend to forget the difference between staying busy and staying productive. Some faculty have the power to make decisions but are not as "busy" and it can be reflected as looking poorly. However, they may be extremely productive in the given role and responsibilities that is associated with their position, which then gives them more buy-in since they do hold positions of high authority.

[tyakaboski]

I like the connection of email and newer technologies and how they change how people negotiate within a political model. I'd be interested in hearing more specific examples of the role of technology within the political model.

[winner]

Love the video! at 4:56 you frame that faculty tend to shy away from the policy and decision making dynamics (inactivity) on a college campus, retreating to the comfort zone of research and teaching. This highlights the marginalized characteristic of service to the campus that some faculty may feel when it comes to finding time to serve on committees or participate in large scale policy development. Their efforts are better served working in a student-centered environment such as the classroom or contributing to their specific field of expertise. I totally agree and understand why faculty would feel this way. However, I believe that participating on committees would allow for more shared governance of a campus. Leaving the decision making to the power elites, represents a step back from academic freedom. Faculty members who allow administrators to make policy campus wide are not taking full advantage of their academic freedom. Perhaps faculty members in this day and age are more reactive than proactive with their approach to the administration and the political model?

[austinlujan]

4:01 Conflict is normal, but the conflict is complex. I like how you phrased that overarching political perspective. When I was reading that part in Manning it stood out to me as a "cop out" for dealing with the conflict but now that I've reflected on the content it makes sense that conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing and it can be approached through ways such as: collaboration, compromising, accommodating, avoiding, and competing.

I do find it interesting that when we talk about the "inactivity prevails" part, some people tend to forget the difference between staying busy and staying productive. Some faculty have the power to make decisions but are not as "busy" and it can be reflected as looking poorly. However, they may be extremely productive in the given role and responsibilities that is associated with their position, which then gives them more buy-in since they do hold positions of high authority.