DETERMINING INSTITUTIONAL NON-NEGOTIABLES

Transcription

1 DETERMINING INSTITUTIONAL NON-NEGOTIABLES Dee Mooney Cornerstone University VP & CFO Brian Sooy Aespire CEO Strength and Courage Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9-10 for such a time as this? Esther 3:13b Institutional Non-Negotiables What is it? Core Mission Doctrinal or Confessional Statement Denominational Doctrinal Statement Employee Faith Statement Student Faith Statement 1

2 Operational Non-Negotiables (Sacred Cows) Traditional Residential Athletics Academic Calendar Course Scheduling Format Academic Leadership Structure Minimum religion hour requirement Chapel requirement Getting Started - Institutional Review Governing Documents Articles of Incorporation and/or Charter By-Laws You may be surprised! Possible need to amend strengthening religious freedom defense Conversations with long-time Faculty, Staff and possibly Board members Cabinet Level What are our non-negotiables? Would we XYZ? Why? Why not? Basis for response? Prominent Legal Governing Document Amended by Adding section(s) to strengthen religious freedom defense as recommended by legal counsel. which states that the Institutional Confession is the foundational doctrinal statement of the university. including the full Institutional Confession (recommended by legal counsel to have the confession with Scripture support included in the Articles of Incorporation). which states that the Bible is the final authority for the Institutional Confession and the Board of Trustees is the organizational authority for interpretation and application. which states that the responsibility for operational application of the Institutional Confession, Community Covenant, and IMV has been vested in the President and appointed officers under the authority of the Board of Trustees. 2

3 Example Excerpt Cornerstone Confession in AoI We believe in one sovereign, omnipotent, and fully omniscient God who eternally exists in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who in love and for his glory created all things out of nothing and pronounced them good (Gen. 1:1 31; Ex. 3:14; 1 Ki. 8:27; Ps. 90:2; 147:5; Isa. 43:7; 48:11; Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 12:29; Jn. 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4; 17:28; Rom. 8:28-29; 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 1:11; 3:9; Heb.1:1-3; Rev.1:4-6; 19:6). We believe that God has revealed himself in the sixty-six canonical books of Scripture, which are verbally inspired, truth without error, and serve as our final authority in faith and life. They lead us to Jesus Christ, who shows us the Father, and rightly interpreted, they enable us to understand God's revelation in humanity, nature, and history (Mk. 12:26, 36; Lk. 24:27, 44; Jn. 5:39; 10:35; Ac. 1:16, 2:4; 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:13; Eph. 2:20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21). We believe that God directly created Adam and Eve, the historical parents of the human race, distinct from the rest of creation in their bearing of God s image and their stewardship over creation. Their union as man and woman models God's design for marriage and perpetually stands as God's loving and righteous will for all sexual intimacy (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 4:1-2; 19-24; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Deut. 17:17; Psa. 8:4-8; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-12; 22:23-28; Rom. 1:26-27; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 7:2-5; Eph. 5:21-33; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Jam. 3:9). What Does it Mean? Christ-centered education Christ-centered educational community Christ-centered academic community Christian liberal arts university evangelical Christian community of higher education Christian character community of learners committed to historic Christianity Christian college ONE SUCCESSFUL PROCESS Appoint Mission Assessment Committee Research Types of Christian Universities Select a Peer Group of Institutions Develop an Instrument to Survey the Peer Group Administer Survey and Summarize Data Review and Analyze Survey Data Prepare and Submit Report Summarizing Findings and Recommendations 3

4 Mission Assessment Committee Provost VP for Enrollment Academic Dean-SOE Academic Dean-A&S Faculty Rep to BOT Director of Library SGA VP for Student Ministries Athletic Coordinator Student Life Coordinator Director of Public Relations Director of Student Success Director of Financial Aid Registrar Research Types of Christian Universities Literature; Consortiums Select a Peer Group of Institutions 28 institutions CCCU region; athletic conference; Develop an Instrument to Survey the Peer Group 34 short response questions Administer Survey and Summarize Data 86% response rate Review and Analyze Survey Data Most Common Peer Characteristics 24/24 (100%) Six Intentionally Christian mission statement Christ-centered mission is a significant influence on all programs, policies and practices Traditional semester schedule option Variety of student activities with Christian focus Choir, Christian choral group and/or praise band Organized community service events 4

5 Most Common Peer Characteristics 23/24 (95.8%) Three Chapel-type experience required for students Offer spiritual counseling for students Offer primarily a standard MWF/TTH class schedule for residential undergraduate students Most Common Peer Characteristics 22/24 (91.7%) Three Bible studies are a regular activity in the residence halls Chapel services provide a variety of worship style and speakers Offer career counseling for students Most Common Peer Characteristics 21/24 (87.5%) Four Require that all members of the governing board profess faith in Jesus Christ Require all full-time faculty and administrators profess faith in Jesus Christ Require all athletic coaches profess faith in Jesus Christ Admit both Christian and non-christian students 5

6 Action Changes - Improved understanding of personnel employment practices Chapel attendance policy Residence hall policies Getting Started - Operational Current Non-negotiables - Easily Identified Budget What is being resourced? Possibly Strategic Plan Practice/Policy under Consideration (court rulings, regulatory rulings, etc.) Alignment with Mission, Confession, Doctrinal & Faith Statements Goal Ongoing viability of the institution within mission context Cabinet level discussions led by President Freedom to ask questions of others Example CU Budget Task Force Why? Example CU Envision Process Why Not? PROCESS FOR CHANGE Followed strengthening Institutional Non-negotiables Why? Breakpoint by Jon McGee Four half-day Cabinet meetings over four to six weeks External Environmental Analysis Opportunities/Constraints Internal Organizational Analysis - SWOT Strategic Focus Why Not? Three ideas recognizing true institutional non-negotiables Determine strategic direction How? Recognizing true institutional non-negotiables 6

7 Invite: Who Else Needs to be at the Table? VP Communications Design Thinker When your mission is based on nonnegotiables, your institution must act (operate) and communicate in alignment with the non-negotiables. Ask Questions If our institution seeks to educate men and women who will influence and transform culture, what must we do to transform our own culture? What are practical ways I can influence the transformation process? Where are the sacred cows? Be a Leader Who Fosters Mission-Driven Culture Four Dimensions of Communication and Culture: A Strategic Leader Recognizes Purpose An Inspirational Leader Communicates Character A Trusted Leader Understands the Value of Relationships to Organizational Culture A Courageous Leader Defines and Follows Aspirational Vision 7

8 What are Non-negotiable Principles of Purpose? Is it Strategic? Is it Focused? Is it Meaningful? What are Non-negotiable Principles of Institutional Character? Is it Insightful? Is it Inspirational? Is it Engaging? What are Non-negotiable Relational Principles? Is it Social? Is it Grateful? Is it Trustworthy? 8

9 What is Non-negotiable Vision? Is it Positive? Is it Powerful? Is it Courageous? Discussion Break into Groups if time permits Discussion Questions What potential true non-negotiables at your institution readily come to mind? What departments/policies/practices, etc. may currently be perceived as non-negotiables that probably should be negotiables? Is your current campus climate (President, Cabinet, Board of Trustees) one that would embrace a discussion of nonnegotiables? God often uses financial challenges to work for a greater good at Christian colleges (Romans 8:28). How can you, as CFO, initiate the discussion? 9