Organizational Structure

Paul Blanc asked President Mossberg to comment on the organizational structure currently at Goddard with respect to its ability to be effective operationally.

President Mossberg expressed concern about the lack innovative initiatives and noted that she felt that we don't have the necessary operational data. She stated that "we have confused democratic philosophy with operational accountability." [emphasis mine] She further reported that she evaluates how anything is working at Goddard based on the following criteria:

• Is it outcomes based?
• Operationally sound?
• How are we accountable?
• Is it mission-critical?
• Is it student-centered?
• Is it inclusive?
• Does it foster collaboration?

She read a journal entry that she wrote delineating her concerns about what hadn't been accomplished since she came to Goddard. She emphatically stated that in order for Goddard to move forward it is necessary to have an operational system that smooth, efficient accountable and is outcomes-based. Her vision is for Goddard to have an operational structure where the academic side is integrated in systematic way, assessment of student learning outcomes, program development and the living-learning environment.

Ad Hoc Committee on Presidential Evaluation

Paul Blanc reminded the Board that a committee, chaired by student Jen Pia, had been established to explore the development of a 360 degree Presidential evaluation. The members of the committee are: Lois Sontag, Steve Schapiro, Fran Malgeri, and Barbara Mossberg. Jen Pia noted that the committee had not met very, but the following questions were raised?

• Who was going to do the evaluation?
• How to make it '360 degrees?'
• How to keep it from being too 'huge?'
• When will it happen and how often will it happen?
• How to make it 'college-wide' and not just focused on the President?

She further added that it would to be articulated what it is that we want to be evaluated. She said the committee separated it into "criteria" and "goals," and she noted that she knew the committee would not be setting the goals.

Paul Blanc asked the committee about what there timeline was, and what could be expected to be reported at the June Board meeting. There was discussion about potential pitfalls in this evaluation, and strategies and approaches that had been effective were discussed.

It was agreed that the goals would be set by the Board and the committee needs to be looking more at the process. The Board wants the committee to explore broad areas of responsibility that can be incorporated into the goal-setting process. President Mossberg noted that she would take a major responsibility in the goalsetting process. In the past, evaluation at Goddard has been used to destabilze the institution. She commented that this was a extremely positive opportunity for the college to improve the work that is done.