Northwestern University; management and operation improvement
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Table of contents
Introduction to problem_______________________________________________________3
Retreat (days)
Friday______________________________________________________________________4
President’s address
Presentation of University’s financial status
Discussions
Saturday____________________________________________________________________5
Departmental meetings
Sunday_____________________________________________________________________5
General forum
President’s last address and presentations of new strategies
Remedies (possible)_________________________________________________________5
Introduction to problem
Northwestern University since its formation has been affected by numerous factors to acts as drawbacks in its performance and expansion. At the present, the University has few students and it is evident that the enrolment is decreasing at an alarming rate (from the records). Majority of our students are residents of the area and mainly come to school due to its proximity. The fact is according to the survey that was conducted by our enrolment department at the start of the year. With this alarming rate of decrease in enrolment, we expect that in the future that the University might be without students or few that won’t enable it to run. This has been caused by numerous factors in this University. The University is affected by management problems and immediate correction should be made. The following are the evident drawbacks;
There have been ineffective connections and communications amid departments and misunderstanding. Furthermore there lacks to be conventional academic departments. The themes that the school is divided into have made class scheduling very difficult. The collection of faculties has disabled the advancements of the departments. No department is dependent.
Since her employment in this University, the president has not demonstrated or shown signs of having specific objectives and goals for the University (there seems to be no forward move and advancement since her employment).
The University major grants have complained about the deadlines missed and likely, in the future, the connections might be terminated due to inconveniences that this University has caused. This has resulted in loose of trust and it will become very difficult to get any grant in the future suppose the connections are lost.
In the attempt to rectify the problem by disarranging various hierarchies in the Organization, mess has resulted as they have failed to bring good outcomes or the expected results. The outcomes are even worse and so no definite solution has been developed in the past. The trial and error method in elimination of some of the norm has not taken place to the rank that the University has expected or targeted.
It is believed that the recent reduction in enrollment has been due to unclear visions and missions of the University. The school’s missions and visions are not clearly explained or stated. Due to the proximity of the school, the residents have been left with no options but join. This can be the reason why majority of our students are coming from nearby. However, even some of the residents attend other Universities and Institutions.
A three-day retreat has thus been organized so that various faculties and departments might brainstorm to subject solutions to this episode. It is there very vital for the participation of every member of the University in this retreat. All the above mentioned issues will be given a look and possible remedies subjected.
The three-day retreat is organized as follows;
Friday
The meeting will start with the President’s address and presentation of her objectives and goals for this University. After that there will be discussion of connections between the departments and clear design of the objectives and goals of the University will be discussed on that day. The University finance department will present the school finance status. The debts that it owes, the present financial status will be presented and explained. This will give the finance department to suggest possible ways of settling the debts in time. Suggestions from other members will be considered as well. All the statistics will be presented (enrolment status, net income, expenditures and any information the finance, departments, faculties will think is vital).
Saturday
There will be departmental meetings, choosing of officials and representatives. All the members of given departments will have separate meetings. All the strategies to be employed would be discussed.
Sunday
Any problems in the University will be aired and suggestions stated. All the resolutions summarized and presented in the presence of all members. The principle will have the last resort and suggestions.
Possible remedies
According to the above problems and prior to the retreat, the following remedies can be most appropriate in the rectification of the University’s operational system.
In enrolments, it will be retrieved and corrected only and only if the objectives, missions, visions of the university are well pronounced. This calls for new missions and visions. I suggest that the mission be;
MISSION;
The University is aimed at being the foremost academic centre of brilliance in the dissemination, provision and maintenance of knowledge. This is a very strong mission and will act as point of attraction to both the residences and people from other areas as well as other countries. This is also unique and will catch the people’s attention.
VISION;
To offer contemporary information services that is aimed at empowering the University in carrying out its activities of consultancy, learning, teaching, community service and research. The vision just as mission is self explanatory and outlines the precious objectives and roles that the University plays. The outcomes can be clearly seen from the vision.
There should be well denounced departments, faculties and schools to enhance coordination, promote academics excellence and all should be dependent. This will give easy access to the materials for teaching, consultancy and learning research. The services that are offered by the University at departmental level will also be enhanced and promoted.
In the enrolment, the fee should be reduced by 5% and the reduction published in the local newspapers. All the new students will be attracted and boost the few. Suppose the students enrolments increases, the extra funds can be used to settle then funds from grants. The reduction will still leave the university running most of its operations. It not profitable to maintain 1000 students at $100 but keeping 1500 students at $95 can be the better option. All the advertisement methods should be employed in this. The students will start stabilizing as movements will result. Most students will migrate from relatively expensive organizations. The reduction will also make the fee affordable for majority. I think that suppose the enrolments does not move very first, then rob Peter pay Paul method can be employed. Money can be borrowed from other grants to pay the present grants. Later the others can be considered as the enrolments is suspected and expected to increase. The competition that it faces would be reduced hence it will have upper-hand. The staff members should not be altered as they fully understand the University and its operations. The cases like the president’s would be eliminated. It is now critical opportunity for the Organization and any variance might cause it harm.
In settling the hierarchy and other departments’ problems, responsibilities should be well defined and put in written form. This will give the opportunities for the close monitors and supervision of the members. It will also aid in the work specialization and hence greater outcomes. All the changes though will be numerous but beneficial.
I request the members to buy my suggestions and resort to enhance future advancements and improvements of the currents status. Statistics has shown that the few reduction boost and attracts more people. After they have come, and with the new strategies, departments, faculties and authorities, there will be high opportunity for their retention.
The ‘Rob Peter pay Paul’ method has worked for numerous organizations who applied it. This will maintain the good name of the organization and time for looking for the funds, than breaking the existing relations and lacks future grants. This is the advantage of the method.
The missions and vision are very powerful and when used, the status, and objectives will be re-defined. New move will thus be as an outcome. The organization of schemes to departments and faculties will bring great difference and opportunity for advancement. The perception that the University has regarding the departments and people will hence change. Specialization has made many organizations to advance and so can make this University. Each disciple would be dependent and plans can be easily made and any improvements made with ease.
With all these in place, our University might boats on the enrolments, performance, and the perceptions that people have regarding it will also change. It will look like new institution and will attract most people ones again. This is why I request that you buy into my ideas and suggestions for the betterment of the College.
Reference:
Oluoch, K. (2006). Management and operation improvement. 2rd edition, 4th volume. Macmillan Publishers.
