CACSS Neighborhood Meeting
Topic: UCI’s Values
Noon-1 p.m. Nov. 29, 2006
107 Administration
INTRODUCTION
E-Mail Invitation: We would like to hear your feedback on UCI’s values: respect, intellectual curiosity, integrity, commitment, empathy, appreciation and fun. What do these values mean to you? Do you feel your department exhibits all or some of these values? How do they impact your work?
Approximately 20 attendees
Ground Rules:
- What’s said here stays here
- Use 1st names only
- Stay on topic – UCI values
Question asked regarding what happens to the information expressed at these forums. It was explained that general themes are reported to Chancellor Drake. Information is integrated into next year’s goals and priorities. If more serious issues are raised, action may be taken.
AWARENESS OF UCI VALUES
Many participants were unaware of the UCI values. Overall, people expressed a positive reaction to the stated values.
Ideas to increase awareness of UCI values amongst the UCI community:
- Streaming video of chancellor and other managers articulating values.
- Distribute values at department level.
- Publish and distribute UCI values on: posters, T-shirts, bookmarks, stress balls.
- Add information to New Employee Orientation Online.
IMPLEMENTING UCI VALUES INTO OUR CULTURE
Agreement that it is one thing to be aware of values, but it is another to understand them, practice them and incorporate them into our culture.
Programming Ideas:
- Provide training.
- Bring in expert speakers.
- Integrate values into performance evaluations.
- Focus on one value per week, per month or per quarter.
- Have each school sponsor a value and develop activities.
- When highlighting one value, provide link/information to all values, so that people understand how each fits in with the larger whole.
- Develop a campuswide committee to address UCI values, perhaps with subcommittees working on each value, or with subcommittees representing students, staff and faculty (a multilevel campaign).
BUY-IN FROM DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES
Sense that there are different constituencies: students, staff and faculty. Some expressed that these groups tend to interpret our values differently and adhere to different standards. More specifically, some faculty don’t see themselves as needing to be instructed in these matters. In addition, many felt that manager buy-in is critical.
Ideas for Outreach to Staff:
- Engage individuals in finding their niche in supporting our mission and values.
- Staff could work at their own staff meetings, then bring practical ideas to collectively contribute to community best practices.
- Support expressed for Staff Assembly’s UC Advocacy committee that recognizes staff members who contribute to meeting the mission.
- Ensure that there are standards/criteria applied to staff recognition programs and that everyone has the opportunity to be spotlighted.
Ideas for Outreach to Deans/Managers:
- Provide specialized training to deans and managers, who are key change agents within their own settings.
- Provide avenue for sharing best practices.
- Emphasize importance of leaders modeling/living UCI values.
NEXT STEPS
- Identify need for differing values among Chancellor’s Office, Student Affairs and UCOP.
- Obtain more feedback from staff on the values and communicate back to the chancellor.
Back to Goals and Activities
