I. Communications

Findings

The Commission acknowledges that effective communication is a challenge for all organizations, institutions, and businesses - This is particularly critical when issues of fairness and diversity have been raised.

This is an area of weakness at NCSSM and the Commission believes that substantial and immediate improvement is needed.

There are few vehicles for effective internal communication. Most communication appears to be from the top down with little opportunity for input from below: The new faculty/staff newsletter, which has been slow coming into being, has the potential for improving communication if the content is meaningful and if it is done on a regular basis.

There seems to be a lot of paper produced, but too much of it appears to be directed toward external audiences and not enough addressed internally. This apparent lack of understanding about the need for effective, early communication within the campus family has led to a number of problems:

• There are complaints that input is often sought, but there is a perception that the solicitation is done so that it can be said that it was sought; in other words, to be "politically correct". There were numerous complaints that the Executive Director does not listen well and is sometimes argumentative with those who disagree with him. Rather than fostering open communication and a sense of fairness, this has led to an atmosphere of intimidation where staff and faculty are afraid to disagree with the administration.
• Students in particular complained not only of being asked for input late in the process, but also indicated they are often uninformed about the changing of rules which directly affect them. Parents, too, indicated a lack of knowledge about many of the school's activities.
• Complaints about suggestions not being seriously considered were heard, but more importantly, there is a concern that no response is too often the answer to suggestions.
• Finally, there are concerns about the confidentiality of information that should not be shared. This contributes to an atmosphere of distrust among administration, staff and faculty and, again, concerns about fairness.

Recommendations

1. Regular staff meetings and faculty meetings should be held, occasionally together, with a prepared, pre-announced agenda, but also providing a time for any participant to introduce subjects for discussion. Where action is required, minutes from the meeting need to reflect action required, who is responsible, and when to report back.
2. The Executive Director should use these meetings to help formulate a proposed annual plan of work for the school. This plan should be communicated to all parts of the co-unity for discussion and briefing. A multi-year plan should also be considered. Follow-up and an accountability plan needs to be put in place.
3. A system of regular e-mail communication with parents should be established. Where e-mail is not available, parents should be mailed campus and academic information. Orientation packets for parents and students need to be improved so there is a full understanding of what the school offers.

4. The Student Government Association should be used more effectively to get student input before policies affecting them are decided and to provide the board, administration, faculty and staff an opportunity to more effectively communicate with students.