Re: TQM-like stuff for WC

[Jim Bell <jimb@unbc.edu>]

Four years ago, the Center I worked in was chosen as one of the 
departments to pilot TQM in the college. We read a dozen articles and a 
book on TQM, talked about how it might change the Center, the whole 
project fizzled, and I never thought any more about it because I left for 
my current job. At my current institution, the new/current Pres is 
finshing a consultation process to set the direction for the university 
for the next 5 years or more. He formed a large Planning Committee of 
approximately 2 dozen people. Needless to say, most of the students 
dropped off the committee over the summer. The Committee discussions are 
confidential (interesting!). The report will be released in October, but 
already word has leaked on what the official priorities will be: 
Research; Regional Operations; Native Studies; Women's Studies. And 
suddenly I see how absurd TQM would be at my institution (and why it 
failed so swiftly at my previous one). Teaching? We have no training, 
supervision, or support for faculty (mostly young, inexperienced 
faculty). They did not want it. Students? We have no systematic academic 
advising plan. Remediation? We have the highest academic probation rate 
in the country, and do not want to implement Supplemental Instgruction or 
a University 101 course. Writing? We have four sections a semester for 
the entire university. I am not complaining. I love my job. But, as John 
Raulston Saul says in The Unconscious Civilization, we're not a culture 
or a democracy but a series of lobby groups bent on defeating others to 
gain power. Why should the powerful 5 or 6 people who run the institution 
start implementing the two keys to TQM: consult the grassroots, and get 
feedback from your clients in order to control quality? If they had, the 
priority list would have looked very different, and not been what they 
wanted.


Jim Bell				Ph. (604) 960-6365
Learning Skills Centre			Fax (604) 960-6330
University of Northern BC		email jimb@unbc.edu
3333 University Way
Prince George, BC
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