Abstract:
Deans and Directors of Academic Programs typically utilize a variety of approaches in problem solving within their specified areas of responsibility. Some of these various administrative approaches to problem solving include top down, bottom up, ad hoe delegation, standing committee referral, and faculty taskforces. Administrators may use all these various approaches over time, depending upon the problem one is facing, the resources available, the administrative and support staff, and other factors.
The "top-down" administrative approach to problem solving is typically used by administrators for a variety of problems. In this case, the administrator does the investigation, looks at alternative courses of action, and makes the decision by himself, or with the counsel of a limited number of colleagues. This style of problem solving is a very efficient one, but does not always take advantage of other resources available in making decisions. A direct opposite of the first style would be the "bottom up" or laissez-faire approach, where problems are left to be solved by individual faculty or at the unit level within the college. In this case, the major college level administrators basically leave such problems to be handled at the lowest possible level, with little or no interference from top administration.
The last three approaches are between these two extremes. The ad hoc delegation approach is typically used by Deans for dealing with many problems where there is a qualified subordinate to handle the particular problem. The individual may be an Assistant Dean, Department Chair, or specific faculty members. The standing committee referral method is typically used where problems fall within the domain of specific committees. The best examples would be in the academic programs area where problems in courses would be referred to curriculum committees, questions pertaining to graduate programs to the college graduate committee, etc.
The task force approach typically utilizes an ad hoc committee appointed by the Dean to develop recommendations for dealing with a specified problem(s). Many Deans use this particular approach over time, successfully or unsuccessfully! Task forces have a very unique and distinct role to play in problem solving. Administrators should not undertake utilization of a task force for problem solving without some cognizance of these transaction costs and risks. The major purposes of this paper are: to describe the rationale for utilizing the task force approach to problem solving, the typical processes utilized in such an approach, and the primary causes of task force failures. Finally, academic programs in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida are utilized as a case study example of utilizing task forces for the period 1991-00.
Keywords:
faculty, task force, problem solving
 Download Article | [ ] | 332 kB |
