What do you need from the Department? by Aris Winger

2024-05-31 16:38:22 UTC

To know what you need really clearly

2024-05-31 16:38:37 UTC

Institutional support

Plan

2024-05-31 16:38:51 UTC

More concrete and feasible plan

2024-05-31 16:38:57 UTC

I need to know what I'm coming in to... Are people on board? Will they want me there? Etc.

Communication

2024-05-31 16:39:15 UTC

Open and honest communication

Expectations for the Visit

2024-05-31 16:39:23 UTC

Goals for the visit

What to expect in terms of where things are with their plan

Who to speak with and what it may be helpful to speak with them about.

2024-05-31 16:39:34 UTC

As clear as possible what your goals are, even if they are changing.

2024-05-31 16:40:04 UTC

Critical mass of willing participants

Groundwork

2024-05-31 16:40:50 UTC

I would be worried if there hasn't been any conversation with the faculty, department leaders, unit leader ahead of the visit.

Student Support

2024-05-31 16:41:29 UTC

Student support (financial, social, and academic)

Minefields

2024-05-31 16:41:47 UTC

It would help to know where the sensitive spots are so that I can plan ahead for how I might address them if they come up.

Trust

2024-05-31 16:42:00 UTC

Trust that we are working together for the best possible outcomes, knowing that there will be stumbles, starts, and stops.

Opportunity to speak with students

2024-05-31 16:43:06 UTC

I would love to connect with students during the visit to hear from them about their experiences.

Facilitating Some Data Collection

2024-05-31 16:45:47 UTC

Might the consultants help with facilitating some data collection?

Maybe we could have a set of questions to ask people serving in different roles at the institution to learn where they are and that also might be useful for the broader project to understand contextual factors related to the transformation.

The Dynamics of the department

ariswinger — 2024-05-31 16:48:32 UTC

The hotspots and concern

Acting as Evaluators

2024-05-31 17:03:22 UTC

Our role is not project evaluation. We should be careful that we don't slip into focusing on this more than to inform how we advise/guide the department.

2024-05-31 17:05:34 UTC

Acting as deciders.

2024-05-31 17:06:21 UTC

Giving them a plan/answer on how to solve their "problems"

Trying to do the work ourselves

2024-05-31 17:07:10 UTC

We should not try to take over responsibilities that should belong to the department. For example, scheduling for guest speakers, communicating with IR, leading workshops.