Date of Award
12-2010
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education/Higher Education Administration
First Advisor
John Saltmarsh
Second Advisor
Judith I. Gill
Third Advisor
Dwight Giles, Jr.
Abstract
The challenges of managing physical space in public higher education are often left unspoken and under researched. In this multiple case study of three urban universities, decision-making processes are examined with particular attention to who has institutional decision-making authority. Effective and efficient space management is important because the use of space on campus can contribute to research and practice by promoting innovation and collaboration or can isolate individuals and departments in silos. This study identifies three distinct challenges related to space management on campus: the quality of space, the location of space, and the quantity of space. The research findings accentuate the importance of: 1) having a well-defined decision-making process; 2) having knowledgeable decision makers; 3) delegating decision-making authority; and 4) having accurate quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions.
Recommended Citation
Blanchette, Sandra McCoskrie, "Space and Power in the Ivory Tower: Decision Making in Public Higher Education" (2010). Graduate Doctoral Dissertations. 2.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2