Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Alexandra Kadell
Rozana Carducci
EDU 811: Admin and Organizations
Organizational Analysis Paper: A Study of Greenly University
March 26, 2017
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 2
Institutional Background
Averaging around 7,000 plus undergraduate students and over 2,000 graduate students
Greenly University is a large public state school located in the heart of Maine. The mission of
Greenly University is to provide students with an affordable liberal arts education that strives to
expose students to a diverse society while also challenging them to think critically and develop
skills that engages and prepares students to be productive members of our society. Nearby cities
and natural elements provides students a unique opportunity to explore the historical city life and
robust scenery. Offering over fifty majors and minors, students at Greenly University are
challenged academically and prepared for a competitive work force. Sixty-three percent of
Greenly University undergraduate students are female and thirty-seven are male. Approximately
fifty-five percent of the undergraduate student population identifies as a student of color. Greenly
University also supports a large Pell Eligible student population and provides academic and
The case study will be analyzing two students attending Greenly University during the
2016 – 2017 academic year who work in the Transitional Support Service (TSS) office on
campus. This section provides a brief background to the individuals within this case study.
English and Education major. During her first academic year at Greenly University she was
academically successful receiving dean’s list and membership into two honor societies. As a
Pell, Eligible and independent student Dawn must have a job on campus in order to pay for
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school. Dawn’s two jobs include working as a Resident Assistant (RA) in the first-year resident’s
generation student with a Social Work major with the aspirations to work for Child Protection
Services. At Greenly University Mia struggled her first year earning below a 2.0, had no
engagement on campus, and was constantly going home on the weekend due to homesickness.
Since then Mia has used resources such as the TSS office, academic tutoring, and the
multicultural affairs office to improve her college experience. Currently, Mia has boosted her
GPA, is a senator on the student government association, and is working as an office assistant at
Garrett is the director of the TSS office, identifying as a heterosexual, White, male.
Garrett earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is currently in a PhD program
that he will be completing in the Spring. Working in the TSS office for ten years Garrett has
shown that he is passionate and loyal in assisting the students and the institution. Therefore, after
his PhD completion an administrative opportunity will be opening up for him for the next
academic year.
Becca and Mark are two graduate students working in the TSS office. Becca is a
heterosexual, White, female and Mark is a heterosexual, White, male who are both completing
the Higher Education Leadership Master’s program at Greenly University. This is Becca’s first
year and Mark’s second year working in the TSS office, both graduates oversee the student staff
The Transition Support Services (TSS) office was established in order to help students
during their first-year transition into Greenly University. Providing resources such as webinars,
programming, and having connections with almost all student service offices at the institution,
TSS is a fundamental service that has risen retention rates and engaged students academically
and socially to their campus community. TSS strives to be an inclusive and safe space for all
students to come with for any academic or social concerns. However, within the office Dawn and
Mia are the only students of color that work for TSS.
As a Peer Advisor Dawn is allowed to work six hours a week requiring her to be in the
office about twice a week. While at work Dawn has open office hours for students to come for
assistance with any academic or social concerns they are experiencing. Dawn must complete
written reports of any interaction she has with students for her main supervisors Becca and Mark.
Additionally, bi-weekly Dawn is responsible for broadcasting a topic of choice through the office
webinar series. Primarily working similar hours as Becca by mid-October Dawn has been
approached by Becca several times to discuss her quality of work. The approach Becca has made
with addressing Dawns performance has been in front of the other Peer Advisors and students.
Statements such as “Dawn, you did not file your interactions properly, do we need to go over it
again?” or “Dawn, your topic for this week’s webinar was pointless, you should ask another peer
advisor for some realistic topics” were made regularly to Dawn. The other Peer Advisors in the
office ignore Becca’s comments towards Dawn and continue their daily work activities.
Embarrassed by these comments Dawn believes that the criticism was due to her lack of
experience at Greenly University thus far. Furthermore, Dawn has begun to readjust her working
However, the negative relationship between Dawn and Becca grew deeper by late-
November. Dawn has had three one-on-one conversations with Dawn regarding her abilities at
work. Within those meetings, Becca would encourage Dawn to be more like Brad or Chad,
White male Peer Advisors in the office. Additionally, Becca would mock Dawn from her
attended profession as an English teacher. Becca would state “how could she make class
interesting when she can’t even make her webinars interesting” or, “she never had Black teachers
in high school, I wonder how the kids would react to you!” Dawn wants to quit her job, but
As an Office Assistant Mia is the first line of interaction for students coming to the TSS
office. Mia’s main responsibilities within the office include greeting students and visitors,
directing visitors to the proper office workers, answering phone calls and emails, while also
accomplishing smaller tasks such as filing and imputing information into Excels. Mia enjoys
working for the TSS office, she loves the conversations she has with visitors and when things are
quiet in the office she can complete assignments for class. However, things in the office have
been tense for Mia by the end of November. Becca has also approached Mia about her quality of
work. Although, Becca and Mia do not work together often she endorse criticism such as Dawns.
Lately, the comments have become less about her work abilities and more about her ethnicity.
One afternoon while Mia, Becca, and Mark were working, Becca left to run an errand.
When she returned, Mia greeted her like she does with all TSS visitors, but was stunned when
Becca laughed in her face. Confused Mia asked Becca what she was laughing at. Becca replied
with a laugh “I just realized what they say is true! Mexicans do have serious resting bitch faces!”
Over hearing the comment Mark rushed over the two and excused Becca from the conversation
by asking her to speak to him outside. With a brief conversation with Becca out of the office she
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returned red in the face. Proceeding after was Mark who smiled at Mia and returned back to his
work. Unaware of what Mia could do, she continued to show up for work, sat in silence besides
the occasional visitor, and began to slump into her old routines of first semester.
The turning point occurred after Winter break. Having time away from school and the
office Dawn was refreshed for another semester. Mia waited for anticipation for another
stereotypical comment to spill out of Becca’s mouth. With a new Spring semester schedule,
Dawn, Mia, and Becca all now worked together on the same day. At first the co-workers were
friendly, but it did not take long until Becca started to make comments surrounding the students
work and ethnicity. During one of their shifts Dawn overheard Becca asking Mia if she was
going into Social Work because she knows what the ghettos are like and she clearly wants to
help out her kind. Later that shift Dawn approached Mia and the students began to discuss what
happened earlier on. From their conversation, the students both realized that they both have been
facing these comments all year. Diving deeper Mia and Dawn began to ask the other students
workers if they experience similar situations. Generally, the students who identified as white
The two students agreed that they would seek help from Mark in order to approach
Garrett about their concerns regarding Becca. Mia was skeptical since the last experience with
Mark did not result with her best intentions, but he was the only ally the students had. Knowing
of the wrong doings that Becca has made Mark agreed to help the students. They began to write
past and current comments Becca has made towards the student as evidence to Garrett. Weeks
after Mia and Dawn met with Garrett to discuss their experiences in the office. Unaware of the
situation at hand Garrett reassured the students that Becca would be held accountable. However,
days went by and Becca started to intentionally make side comments to other student workers in
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the office such as “You’re doing great Rachel! Keep up the hard work, unlike others in the
office.” Becca knew the students went to Garrett. Mark informed Mia and Dawn that Becca and
Garrett did have a conversation during staff meeting, but it was more relaxed then what they
anticipated. Garrett asked Becca to “calm down with comments towards the students. With the
promotion getting closer he does not need any scandals getting in the way.” The students rushed
back to Garrett demanding that he follow the office values and have consequences for Becca’s
behavior, but Garrett responded that “this is not career services, resident’s life, or athletics, the
institution, myself, and the other student employees see the TSS office as an inclusive and safe
space for all students, I’m not sure why you girls both do not see it that way.”
Organizations are complexed and have various components that influences the nature of the
organization, Organizational Frames were created to serve as a mental model which provides
clarity and context to identifying a profile of an organizations (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Once an
procedures, negotiations, or communication can be applied to take action within the frame
(Bolman & Deal, 2013). Within higher education organizational frames are evident in the design
and foundation. During the daily operations of an institution frames such as political, structural,
symbolic, racial, and human resources are present and overlap. Throughout the case study there
are various organizational frames that can be used to analyze and resolve the situation in the TSS
office at Greenly University. Although multiple frames are demonstrated inequality regims and
Inequality Regimes
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 8
As defined by Joan Acker (2006) inequality regims are the stability of gender, class, and
racial inequalities due to the practices conducted within an organization. The actions, procedures,
or processes that create inequalities within an organization have been establish by the societal
constructs throughout our history, culture and politics. Typically, inequalities are visible in
higher management, leadership, and department head positions (Acker 2006). In regards to the
situation at Greenly University, race is the primary identity that inequality regims influence.
Race is the physical characteristics, culture, and history of an individual. When historical
dominance or oppression occurs due to these characteristics the individual within the identity
becomes unequal (Acker, 2006). Throughout the United States early and modern history
minorities of specific genders, classes and races have been discriminated against. Therefore, the
foundation of our society and organizations are rooted in racism and oppression. Although, as a
society we have made strides in creating access and equal opportunities for all, intentional and
More specifically about the situation at Greenly University, a degree of segregation was
created which instilled an inequality regime within the office. Race segregation in a job can also
be gendered, but mainly is the action of differentiating a particular group of individuals over
another (Acker, 2006). Segregation in the work place is complexed and can be measured by
since it can occur subtly. Organizations that foster segregation in the work place create a hostile
Mia and Dawn were the only two students of color represented in the office and both
were treated differently than the other student workers because of their physical appearance. The
student’s direct supervisors all identified as White individuals. First, inequality regims are
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 9
showcased through the demographics of the office. The TSS office does not represent a diverse
group of people and therefore natural hierarchies disadvantaging people who have historically
been marginalized occurred. Secondly, the micro-aggressive comments that Becca made to the
students provides further evidence that the students were targeted due to their physical
characteristics. Becca asserting that Mia and Dawn should be more like the other students in the
office distinguished that those students were more effective and valued. Lastly, by Becca
approaching Mia and Dawn in the office with other student workers around and no one
advocating on their behalf, an informal segregation in the office was established. The presence of
derogatory statements conveys that Mia and Dawn can be spoken to in a certain way. A
combination of Becca’s comments with Garrett’s lack of involvement has clearly divided the
office allowing for inequality regimes to continue. As a result, the TSS office has become an
Informal interactions while “doing the work” is a concept that Acker (2006) defines as
the assumptions that individuals of certain classes, genders, and races encounter during daily
organization have preconceived biases towards groups of people that indirectly influence their
interactions with others; therefore, reinforcing the inequality regims within an organization.
Interactions with women or people of color can be demonstrated through individuals during and
after work hours, not listening to them in meetings, devaluing their opinions, and questioning
their quality of work (Acker, 2006). Particularly those with authority and white males participate
in informal interactions.
The example of informal interactions while “doing the work” is portrayed in the students’
work experiences within the TSS office. Arriving to work each day Mia and Dawn became
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accustomed to the comments from Becca. Many of the comments that the students experienced
where connected to their quality of work. Due to societal constructs learned by Becca, she
assumed that the two students were unable to accomplish tasks correctly or effectively because
of their physical identity. For example, during the work day Becca would criticize Dawn for
filing interactions improperly or producing webinars. The critiques that Becca would make often
involved comparing Dawn to the white student staff in the office and mainly occurred when
other student employees were in the office. Although, the interactions that Becca engaged in did
not disrupted the daily work activities of all, for students like Dawn and Mia it discouraged and
influenced their work productivity. Informal interactions are also demonstrated through Garrett’s
lack of interest to resolve the situation in the office. When the girls originally encountered
Garrett about the issues they experienced with Becca he did not truly listen to what the students
were expressing. Rather Garrett undervalued their opinions and experiences by simply asking
Becca to calm down. Garrett also dismissed the student’s perspectives when they reapproached
him by blaming the students for the experiences and comparing other offices for the unjust
environment they conveyed. The actions of Garrett did not hold Becca or the office responsible
for the marginalized experiences the students endured. Therefore, strengthening the inequality
Lastly, visibility of inequalities is another aspect that can either break or reinforce
inequality regims within an organization. Visibility of inequalities is the awareness that different
inequalities are present within the structure of an organization (Acker 2006). Organizations that
are conscientious about present inequalities gain a better understanding of the people within their
organization and are more likely to create initiatives that seek to resolve the imbalance.
However, not all organizations are transparent or aware of their existing inequalities. Defined by
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Organizations that intentionally lack awareness are either choosing not to disclose information of
inequalities or are not realistically perceiving the issues and structure of the organization.
Additionally, authorities who have a lack of awareness tend to see the problem occurring in other
areas then their own. The different biases and privileges that individuals hold within and
organization influences the patter for visible and invisible inequalities to continue or change.
Greenly University TSS office indicates both invisible and visible inequalities. First,
Becca, as a graduate student may not be aware of her own biases and privileges that are attached
to her identity. Additionally, Becca does not fully understand the social inequalities that are built
into the work place and how her actions reinforces the discrimination. Since Garrett did not
provide a learning opportunity for Becca in a supervisory role she continues to unconsciously
continue the inequality regime between supervisors and student staff. More directly is the
intentional lack of awareness that Garrett demonstrates throughout the case study. The TSS
office has become a predominately successful office by retaining and engaging students into the
campus community, while also being perceived as an inclusive environment for all. After the
students first went to Garrett he was conscious that unequal experiences were happening in the
office. However, Garrett targeted and blamed other offices on campus for the inequality regimes
present on campus without recognizing that it was happening within his own office. As well
Garrett intentionally decided not to be transparent with the issue in order to protect his own
opportunities. Rather Garrett showcased that although he was visible to the situation he chose to
lack awareness for the safety of the office and his job.
Within higher education it is critical that the institution, academic classes, student affairs
offices, administration, and educators understand that inequality regime exist on campus.
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Individuals who have historically been marginalized are the growing student population within
our current higher education system. Therefore, as we cater to students we must be mindful that
preconceived biases influence our work with students. It is essential that we are mindful of the
inequality regimes within a worldly and institutional context in order to take action accordingly
Political Frame
activities, or pressures that have significant influences on the overall structure and operations
(Bolman & Deal, 2013). Heavily based on power the political frame fosters decision making
processes and constructs an organization. Imbedded into the political frame are hierarchies which
are centered around authorities and partisans. Authorities are the decision-making individuals or
groups that are defined by position or expertise. While partisans are the individuals being
influenced by the authority’s decision makings (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Both authorities and
partisans within the political frame create, enforce and are impacted by the political ecosystem
and arena. The ecosystem and arenas are the external factors that organizations depend upon and
effect (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Within a higher education context, the political frame is seen
faculty, staff and administrators are the authority holders over the partisan students. The state,
federal, local government and agencies are primary external factors that influence laws and
funding toward higher education. The presence and concepts of the political frame is seen
From the perspective of Greenly University there are several concepts of the political
frame that are applicable to the situation in the TSS office. Primarily there is a significant use of
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 13
power. In the political frame power is the center of political thinking and decision making
(Bolman & Deal, 2013). When used properly, power can create social change and empowerment,
but can also be abused and detrimental to an organization. Furthermore, power can take many
forms and within Garrett and Becca’s circumstance positional, coercive and reputational power
decision making (Bolman & Deal, 2013). This power is seen in higher education through
administrative personnel, department chairs, or trustee positions who all use their positions at the
institution to create and enact change. Coercive power is an individual using their authority to
interfere, block or punish others within the organization (Bolman & Deal, 2013). At institutions,
coercive power can clearly be seen in committee meetings when motions or initiatives are tabled
due to someone's ability to interfere in the process. Lastly, reputational power is influence an
individual acquires based on their past and present performance (Bolman & Deal, 2013).
Reputational power can be used to showcase the legitimacy of a person based off of their
the influence an individual has on another with or without realizing its effect. More specifically
in the situation at Greenly, social proof persuasion is evident. Social proof is when an individual
begins to engage in something others are doing, due to an external influence persuading them to
do so (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Therefore, by having the authority and certain powers a partisan
Both Becca and Garrett showcase the impact that power has had within the TSS office at
Greenly University. Throughout the case Becca utilizes her positional power, as a graduate
student, to justify the comments being made towards the students. As a direct supervisor to Mia
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and Dawn, Becca’s attitudes towards the students were approached through a work ethic lens.
Becca’s underlining biases were able to be projected due to the authority she had over the
students. Additionally, Becca had a substantial persuasion impact on the students. In particular,
Becca would constantly discourage Dawn for her work in the office and compare her to the other
student workers. By the end of the first semester Dawn began to question her own work ability
and shifted her style to align with the other Peer Advisors in the office. Whether Becca was
aware, her dominance of persuasion intertwined with her positional power in the office
In regards to Garrett his political thinking and decisions throughout the situation were
influenced by his power within the office and at the institution. After Mia and Dawn had both
addressed the issues occurring in the office, Garrett had the opportunity and authority to resolve
the issues. However, due to Garretts promotion in the Fall he was aware that a racial scandal in
the office could diminish his reputation on campus for being an inclusive director and office.
Therefore, motivated by advancing his positional power he used his current power as a director
to indirectly manage the issue in order to salvage his own opportunities. By reassuring false
resolutions and minimalizing the issue in staff meeting, Garrett interfered with the issue arising
any further. Unsatisfied with the progress in the office the students readdressed the problem, but
Garrett had the ability to turn the blame on the students rather than the office. Overall, Garrett
has significant power within the office and used the power to subside the student’s experiences
Alliances and networking is another political concept that is visible within that dilemma
at Greenly University. Defined by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal (2013), alliances and
networking is the formulation of individuals and groups which act together as a cohesive unit in
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 15
order to successfully accomplish task and initiatives within an organization. The strong alliances
and networks that are established insures a united front when confronting political agendas in an
organization. Power also plays a role in this concept due to alliances and networking of people
who have power influence the legitimacy of the group. Within higher education alliances and
networking are essential for individual professionals and departments on campus to function.
When financial resources are needed, collectively advocating, or supporting new initiatives arise
it is beneficial to have members of the community that are dedicated to helping those they are
Once Mia and Dawn commonly agreed that they were experiencing similar injustices an
alliance was formed. In order to advocate and produce change within the office the students
understood that they needed to formulate a network that would directly tie to Garrett. The
students sought out the help from Mark, which due to his positional power created a direct and
legitimate strength to their efforts. Through this alliance, the students were able to strategize best
practices and provide substance to their claims from both a co-worker to employee perspectives.
Additionally, having the insight that Mark possess allowed for the students to understand the
plan of action that Garrett implemented in resolving the situation. Leading to the current
predicament the students encountered when addressing Garrett for the second time.
The political frame has an intricate foundation that encompasses various concepts that
tend to overlap. Within an institution, the political framework can be complexed and uncertain,
processes and hierarchies within the foundation. In regards to the situation at Greenly University
the key concepts of the political frame provide evidence to why Garrett, Becca, Mia, Dawn, and
Through the analysis of the institutional dilemma occurring in the TSS office while also
outlining the concepts behind inequality regimes and the political frame, a greater understanding
the frames assists in informing student affairs practitioners with the learning outcomes of a
situation. With this knowledge application to practice can be implemented within a functional
In relation to the political dynamics in the TSS office, the power and authority that the
characters exemplify showcases the complexities of the political frame. However, power can
have influential practices when used properly. In addition to power a major predicament of the
TSS office is the lack of morality within the foundation. When morality is absent people within
an organization feel vulnerable, powerless, and helpless. As power begins to grow within the
office individuals seek ways to manipulate dilemmas in order to protect themselves (Bolman &
Deal).
After the students went to Garrett the first time, rather than avoiding the situation to
secure his own intentions, Garrett could have used his power to successfully tackle the conflicts
in the office. Garrett could have used his positional and coercive power to suitably hold Becca
accountable for her decisions in the office. Becca’s actions could have jeopardized both her
graduate program and her job within the office if Garrett took an active approach. On a less
severe outlook, Garrett could have used his power as a director to provide Becca with a learning
opportunity as she accomplishes her degree in higher education. Lastly, rather than avoiding the
situation Garrett could have used the dilemma to assessed the values and goals of the office to
clearly understand the influences the office has on student experiences. If the results displayed
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 17
that the TSS office was not meeting its standards, then restructuring could be implemented in
order to effectively serve the student population and uphold the values of the office. By actively
criticizing one’s own work and implementing new initiatives Garrett’s reputational power may
have increased and could have solidified his promotion since he followed correct procedures and
showcased his abilities as an authority to enact change (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Understanding
that as student affairs educators, our various powers dramatically influence the everyday
decisions we make. We must be aware of our authority to implement when needed and avoid
when unnecessary.
Lastly, the moral judgements of the office were not evident racially or politically.
Ethically, the office was not incorporating initiatives that provided their student workers to feel
included within the office environment. Defined by the authorities in the office segregation and
unequal working conditions were instilled. In order to prevent this from occurring certain
policies, procedures and empowerment should be established to secure equal opportunities and
uphold the office goals. Specifically, the principles of moral judgment outline four concepts that
are important to consider within an organizations structure. First is mutuality, which is when all
individuals should be supervised and operate under the same rules. Second is generality, which
are the procedures organizations comply with during moral conduct. Third is openness, which is
the organizations ability and comfortability to publicly disclose, think and make decisions. Lastly
is caring, which is the legitimate concern an organization takes when dealing with partisan’s
Within the TSS office the aspect of moral judgment is severely lacking. A core
component to any functional area in higher education a certain level of morality, ethics and
diversity needs to be implemented into the foundation. Garrett, the TSS team, and the institution
A Study of Greenly University Kadell 18
at Greenly University needs to be actively engaged in creating policies and an environment that
is treating all individuals equally, open to all perspectives, and has a genuine interest in the
impact they are having on the students. The TSS office could have avoided the conflict from
developing if a level of moral judgement had been instilled from the beginning. Tensions that
further advanced should have been prevented when Garrett understood the ethical issues that the
students were experiencing rather than viewing it as an inconvenience. The students have an
ethical right to report the TSS office for the insensitive and unjust acts committed against them.
To avoid situations that the TSS office encountered and to be ethical members of our society that
diminishes social inequalities it is necessary that as student affairs practitioners we are constantly
IV: Conclusion
frames in order to categorize the complexities that surround higher education institutions. Daily,
student affairs practitioners encounter aspects of each organizational frame which influences
with one another, each have a predominate role within an organization. Likewise, frames can
also be visible in an individual’s personality therefore, influencing their work ethic and
interactions. Through a foundational knowledge of the frames, student affairs practitioners are
able to analyze the concepts at hand and intentionally implement practices that coincides with the
References
Acker, J. (2006). Inequality regimes: Gender, class, and race in organizations. Gender &
Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2013). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership