Collective Consciousness - Crafton Hills College

Self-Study Report (SSR) / Self- Study Process (SSP) and the Collective Consciousness.

Overview

We have identified a process for the self-study and self-study report that has not been tried before at Crafton Hills College. This thinking was stimulated by the sense that we are an amazing collection of energies. All of us are Crafton Hills College. So there was no accident when we selected the term collective consciousness for the self-study. Our collective consciousness is a community of diverse people, strengths, beliefs, and vantage. All of these attributes are central to an effective self-study process (SSP) and the resultant self-study report (SSR). Accepting our individual differences and seeing this project as one collective may help us transcend our individual constraints. We must be different; we need those whose job it is to define the forest (the big picture). However, if they can see the boundaries of the forest they can not see the trees. So like the big view we also need people who tend to the individual trees not knowing the dimensions of the larger forest. Hence, if we all offer our unique vantage, we can produce an honest assessment (SSP) and document (SSR) what it means to be Crafton Hills College.

Over the next eighteen months our task, as the collective consciousness, is to reflect critically on what Crafton Hills College does. All of this energy, information, and evidence then goes to the self-study report standard teams. They will formally document our processes and competencies.

Accreditation

Simply put, every six years a college studies itself against a set of external standards, writes a self-study report and has a site visit. Meeting these standards becomes the basis upon which Crafton Hills College is accredited and thus is able to award degrees, certificates, and financial aid to students.

Over the past four decades colleges have voluntarily participated in the accreditation process. During this time there have been changes in the accreditation standards and requirement. Basically the first accreditation standard required the basic structure to operate an educational institution. Some years later the standard added the construct process, simply that the student completed their studies. The most recent addition to the standards is outcomes, or that the student has some measurable competency as a result of their studies. Looking at the history of accreditation in a very simple way, we see structure, then process, and now outcomes. It could be suggested that the next revision of the accreditation standard would require that the student be self actualized. We look forward to creating this next structure.

The most significant change to the accreditation standards since the last time Crafton Hills College was accredited is the requirement that our college evaluate and reflect upon student learning interwoven throughout the four standards of institutional effectiveness, programs and services, resources, and leadership and governance.

Leadership Assumptions

We have made some assumptions as SSR leaders that are important to share with you. First, our primary task is to empower you. This stimulus will be important because nothing should stay hidden from exposure or exploration. The only way for the SSP or the SSR to be a good process and product is for all members of the college community to have an equal voice.

Our second assumption is that Crafton Hills College has only good, better, and best. We are interested in helping the good be better, and helping the best realize that a new horizon or level of best awaits. To be a learning college we understand that learning and growing is a dynamic process, something if done right never finishes.

Our third assumption is that our world is not certain nor controllable. We must deal with uncertainty in the processes and outcomes we establish during this self-study process. These processes and eventual outcomes will lead our campus and those we interface with.

We have made other general assumptions as a mechanism of leadership. Each of us are working from our individual level of awareness and therefore there are no wrong actions or answers. If along the way we identify a problem there is no shame, no blame, and no name. As we work on issues and the task or assignment is not complete, it is either not needed, not important, or needs more resources. Further, when people believe in their contribution and trust those they work with, they will go forward into uncertainty. As a community of equals we must constantly be careful for the strong but wrong rule. And finally we need to focus on who has the answer.

Vision

Our vision (read as outcome) is that when all is said and done the college will receive a - Reaffirm accreditation. The definition for this distinction is, "The institution substantially meets or exceeds accreditation standards, eligibility requirements, and policies. Recommendations are directed towards strengthening the institution, not correcting situations where the institution fails to meet the standards, eligibility requirements, and policies. The institution is required to submit a Midterm Report in the third year of the six-year accreditation cycle" (Policy on Commission Actions on Institutions, p. 53, 2006 Accreditation Reference Handbook, WASC) Part of our visions is that we demonstrate a healthy culture. One mechanism is the T-shirts.

The final written report - SSR

Our final written report will consist of six chapters. Each standard leadership team (S1-S4) will write a specific chapter. The SSR leadership team (H2) will construct the first and last chapters. Chapter one will document the procedures used and introduce the other chapters. Chapter one will also discuss our last accreditation and those areas where we needed to strengthen or modify our processes. Chapter six will document the conclusions and synergy identified in the entire document. This final chapter sets up and documents the planning and continuous processes for the future.

The process

Two things will be happening at the same time, the self-study report (SSR), and the self study process (SSP). The line between these two processes can get fuzzy. However, it is important to keep these processes and products separate and distinct. The principle for the SSR will be transactional while the principle for the SSP will be transformational. Simply, over the next eighteen (18) months the college community must make and document an honest assessment (SSR) of who we are, and where and how we may change and grow (SSP).

The timeline

  • April 2006 to March 2007 Teams begin to form relationships, intense research with collection of ideas, materials, and evidence. Prepare DRAFT #1.
  • April 6, 2007 - SUBMIT DRAFT #1 to SSR leadership.
  • April 2007 to October 2007 Continue to construct and refine the documents with self reflection of evidence. Finalize DRAFT #2.
  • October 5, 2007 - SUBMIT DRAFT #2 to SSR Leadership.
  • October , 2007 - March 2008
    Begin final completion of SSR construction which reflects planning and other dialogs.
  • March 3, 2008 - SUBMIT DRAFT #3 to SSR.
  • April 2008 - Final SSR in refinement and single voice construct.
  • May 2008 - Final editing and preparation for BOT submission. Submit SSR June 2008 for July BOT meeting.

August 2008 - Any corrections from BOT and then print and ship all documentation. All SSR leadership and SSR standards stand down and return to normal service, await external evaluators

Communications

As much as possible all communications need to be done formally / electronically. We have provided two communications techniques that have proven valuable in unstable environments. The first is the use of the S.T.I.C.C. mnemonic for communication (Weick, K.). It consists of five components: (a) situation - this is what we face, (b) task - this is what we need to do, (c) intent - this is why we need to do it, (d) concerns - these are the concerns to watch for and may create a new situation, and (e) calibrate - tell me your concerns. The second process is used in scientific writing where they use four variables to demonstrate effectiveness: (a)what is already known on this topic, (b) what question this study / action address, (c) what this study process will add to our knowledge, and (d) how this study, action, process might change the practice.

Finally we have identified the concepts of a parking lot. This place is for materials that are uncertain, unstable, or volatile. Both the SSR & SSP leadership can redirect materials from the parking lot. There is also a Black-board shell that will have materials and information for you.

Should you have any problems or concerns along the journey, please contact H2 (Harrington / Holbrook). Our job for the next eighteen months is your success.