4 Dec 3, 2009 09:30 PM This is a very bold venture, especially in the present economic downturn. It deserves to succeed as it
should result in enhanced quality of education for many students in many subjects.
6 Dec 29, 2009 07:39 PM Any other comments:
I am a member of the SMT at GCNS and have considered this document very carefully prior
to completing this response to consultation. It will be interesting to see how many of the staf
are concerned enough to take this opportunity to state their opinion. It is to be hoped that a
comprehensive report to all staf on the i ndings and suggestions and the actions taken as a result of
the responses be issued as soon as possible to ensure all stakeholders that their voice is being listened
to.
Section 2 of the consultation document highlights the importance of the consultation process, now
and in the future. It is to be hoped that the results of this initial contact with stakeholders will indeed
rel ect their views, and that consultation will not, on rel ection, show a one way communication
channel of informing what has previously been considered and decided by a select few (BOM/SMT(s)/
etc). A good idea would be to publish a "You said, we did" catalogue of what actually changed due to
the ef ective operation of the consultation process. The outcome(s) must show that an agreed shared
understanding has been established. Only then can we see the embryonic beginnings of a Quality
Culture that will build and lead on the success of 'GLOBAL COLLEGE GLASGOW'.
Most staf may still be in denial and not as yet have full engagement with the concept and reality of the
new merged college. Others, who are more motivated, may be positioning themselves for a perceived
place on the new management and staf structure. Where ever a staf member is presently employed
they may well be de-motivated going forward in the new college if they i nd themselves either moved
to another role or in their eyes demoted.
Clearly overcoming traditional management attitudes will take time - no less time than overcoming
staf attitudes. But it is changes in behaviour that make the real dif erence and in turn inl uence the
attitudes. Overnight conversions to the merged college will be few. For most people and the 3 colleges
the change will come about through a long and slow process of rebuilding personal and organisational
values.
7 Dec 31, 2009 9:55 AM Rationale for the name for the merged college:
The merged college should wish to continue to take full advantage of the new electronic media
options especially when there is now overwhelming evidence that this has become the most important
channel of communication for recruiting new students. Consequently the words 'Glasgow' and
'College' must be an essential part of the new name preferably, bearing in mind internet search engine
technology, with the word 'Glasgow' i rst.
The name 'New College Glasgow' that has been used in the recent recruitment advertisement for board
members and in the consultation document does have some merit since it includes these two essential
words. However, when creating an institution that should last in perpetuity the choice of the word 'new'
is entirely inappropriate since it will have no historical longevity and will become immediately 'out of
date' if not on day two then certainly in year two.
However, the word 'Metropolitan' is as ideally suited for the name of the merged college as it was in
2004 following the last merger between the Glasgow College of Building and Printing with the Glasgow
College of Food Technology. To quote that well known advertisement - "It does what is says on the tin".
This was the name chosen after considerable research for a city centre based college (as opposed to
a community college) with a range of specialist courses serving the entire population of West Central
Scotland - and beyond. It is also the name appropriately chosen for two other main city centre based
colleges - Birmingham and Belfast.
In the Executive Summary of the Consultation Document (page 3) there is a clear and unambiguous
statement concerning i scal responsibility, viz:
"We are being trusted with signii cant public funds and are committed to invest this wisely and
responsibility".
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Appendix 10: Consultation Results