Connect the Dots

Yesterday something remarkable happened on our campus. Yes.. I said remarkable!

Every member of the faculty/staff were called together to join our president in a "campus conversation." I wasn't really sure what this conversation would entail, but I have to admit that it was pretty successful.

It started out with everyone filing in and filling the seats which are normally reserved for basketball games. They normally don't get filled even then, so the enthusiasm for a "campus conversation" was pretty intense. The first person to speak with actually the coach of our football team, who spoke with the same passion that he might speak with were he in a huddle... not exactly sure if that was the most effective way to relate to the audience, but nonetheless he gave a rousing talk that made me want to buy into this new comprehensive master plan.

Next came Mr. President... the speech was excellent in all honestly. I liked that he expressed the vision for where the campus was headed and how each audience member had a part in the process. I didn't feel like I was being pressured into buying into the idea, but rather was convinced that I should wholeheartedly buy into. The end of the speech was one simple question: "Are you with me?" And the audience responded more enthusiastically than I thought they might. I have to admit, I was moved...

I think that more colleges and universities should look into take a few moments to connect as a whole. Maybe even canceling classes for a day for a type of "university in service." We need to take time to reflect on the state of the campus and learn from one another every now and then. I truly believe that a unified campus is more efficient than one where each unit had different people who do the same job. If there is one thing that I took out of today, it was that we all need time to "connect the dots" and if I am ever in a position of leadership, I hope that I remember that staff need that time. I will hopefully remember to give it to them.

Following this "huddle", we all had a healthy and "green" meal. We were then left to peruse different stations regarding staff health and wellness, human resources etc and really sold on the idea that the institution is a great place to work. I already believe that so it didn't take much convincing, but overall I thought that the presentation and program was extremely effective and I would like to see more opportunities like that in the future!

I am a BELIEVER!