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During the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 planning sessions, participants engaged in table-top exercises prompted by the theme "Help Define Success" in three focus areas—senior leadership, communication and collaboration. Below is a summation of responses under communication.

Theme 1: Qualitative Characteristics

• Honest/open
• Accurate
• Foster sense of engagement with the individual
• Intentional – curated stories/message
• Describing success
• Civility
• More equal and less hierarchal
• Positive intent
• Responsive when asked a question
• Safe environment to share
• Proactive and not reactive

Theme 2: Content

• Clear and concise objectives
• If an issue exists, clearly define it and how it will be resolved
• Informative but less detail and more quality
• Specific to internal communications but also believe more messaging from ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø to/with community is necessary
• Both positive and negative messaging/need to be open to the harder conversations
• Communicate appreciation for value added
• Celebrate successes and moments of pride

Theme 3: Process

• Timely (employees should know before public also came through)
• Updates provided as needed
• Consistent and frequent
• Both in person and written
• Open door times
• President Cabinet members visibility
• Smaller groups as well as town halls
• Multiple mediums used – email, social media, print, in person
• Balance between communications and action
• Don’t use information to build power base – share
• Website needs to support communication
• Cross directional throughout the organizations

Theme 4: Built in Features

• Feedback loops provided
• Interaction preferred
• Cross divisional
• More structure to divisional meetings
• We need to listen
• Don’t talk
• Ask employees how their jobs are going
• Demonstrated action/closure/progress

Theme 5: Communicate Strategic Vision/Goals

• Periodic updates on goal achievement
• Shared understanding of goals
• Clarity on mission
• Everyone needs to know how their role contributes to mission
• Focus and unification
• A story line that is known
• Needs to be known by external audience
• Resource allocation that supports plan
• Communicate outcomes

Theme 6: Involvement of faculty/staff

• How they can help
• Committee participation opportunities – how they can volunteer
• Improve communications between faculty and staff
• Consult with impacted employees prior to decision and/or broader communication – seek input
• Importance of inclusivity
• Individual has to take ownership and responsibility as well
• Volunteerism

Theme 7: Specific actions requested

• Deans, Associate provosts, VPs participate in the Turkey Trot and other student events
• Senior administrators attend international student luncheon every week
• President/cabinet join other meetings at staff level
• Regular Q&A with the President
• Provide whistle blower safety and anonymity
• Monthly town halls
• Regular Presidential updates
• Suggestion box concept
• Weekly social media post
• A Fall and Spring Engagement Activity
• Quarterly town halls held by president, also VPS, also deans
• Leadership chats – have bagels/coffee hours to talk with staff
• Daily logs by leaders
• University calendar