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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Cultural Audit: Final Report Nichols and Associates, Inc.
Washington, D.C.
October 2002

Appendix A
Focus Group Protocol for St. Cloud State University

Introduction

The administration of St. Cloud State University has retained the firm of Nichols and Associates, Inc. to conduct a cultural assessment of the university. Our first step is to interview groups and individuals on campus and in the community to discover perceptions of issues, events and the general campus climate.

If you look around, you will discover that members of your group are similar and none of your immediate supervisors are present. This is because we want you to speak freely and candidly about the topics presented. We will be interviewing a number of groups and each group will be asked to comment on the same questions. I will be taking notes, but no names will be attached to any of the notes and everything said here today will be confidential. Following the interviews, we will develop a report. Again, no names will be attached to the findings. Major themes will be identified and the report will be worded in a general way, like males think or feel this way, or staff members think and feel this way. The next step will be the development of a survey instrument, based on the findings from the interviews. This survey will be made available to everyone on campus to complete.

CLIMATE

On a scale of 1- to 10, rate the present climate at the University. (1=low, 10=high)

What are things that you perceive that contribute to the rating you gave?
Discuss the BEST aspects of the university climate.
Describe the worse aspects of the university climate, as you perceive it.

HELPING/HINDERING FACTORS

Within any organization there are forces that HELP people interact and work
Together effectively and forces that HINDER.

In your view, what forces (things) at St. Cloud U. HELP working relationships?
In your view, what forces (things) at St. Cloud U., HINDER working relationships?

CRITICAL INCIDENTS

There are critical incidents that occur in the workplace from time to time that facilitate working relationships and those that hinder.

What are some of the critical incidents that HELP the working relationships?
on campus?

What are some of the critical incidents that HINDER working relationships?

(People may cite discrimination cases here. They can be explored – or move to next topic)

DISCRIMINATION

St. Cloud State University has received negative publicity (local and national) regarding discrimination.

Describe the effect that this publicity has had on you personally...(if any)

What is your perception of the effect that negative publicity has had on working relationships at the university?

What is your perception about what the university is doing about this adverse
publicity?

Have you experienced or seen exclusion based on race or sex at St. Cloud U,?

How does the University respond to cases of discrimination/racism?

EXTREMIST GROUPS

Is there a concern about extremist groups at St. Cloud U. or in the
immediate community?

If so, how has such activity impacted the student, faculty and staff
personnel here?

WORK ISSUES/GRIEVANCES

If you submitted a grievance via the university process, how would it be
handled?

What would you do if you witnessed sexual harassment or blatant discrimination?

In your perception, is St. Cloud U. a fair place to work?

Discuss some of the work issues that are important to you and/or your work group.

How is information transmitted within the university community? How do you
find thing out?

ADVANCEMENT

On a scale of 1-10, how does the university support you regarding advancement?

Are there any aspects that you would change about the promotion system at St.
Cloud?

On a scale of 1-10, how does the university rate in terms of retention of faculty
And staff?

Are there any aspects that you would change regarding retention of faculty/staff?

METAPHORICAL OR PROJECTIVE QUESTIONS

(We could ask some of these if there is time)
Reflect a moment on your immediate work place. If your workplace was an animal, what animal would it be and why?

Reflect again. If your workplace was book, song or play, what would the title be?

If your workplace were a color, shape or texture, what would it be and why?

CLOSING QUESTIONS

Are there any other areas you would like to discuss?

If you were the University Chancellor, what would you do to improve the
University climate (i.e. policies, support services, communications, etc)

What would you do to change St. Cloud State University?

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