Edison State College Response Report to the Visiting Committee  
Comprehensive Standard 3.2.7: Organizational Structure  

Recommendation 4: The committee recommends the institution clearly define and publish an organizational structure that delineates responsibility for the administration of policies.

Edison State College Response:

As noted by the On-Site Reaffirmation Committee, the personnel structure in place at Edison State College has undergone, and continues to experience, transition throughout the organization. A number of retirements, resignations, consolidations and terminations have taken place as the organization rebuilds and restructures to support its mission, vision and values. Additionally, five new District Board of Trustee members have been appointed by the Governor of Florida. Edison State College recognizes that while the organization is undergoing change, additional responsibilities have been assumed by a number of staff members who provide competent and consistent leadership. Despite these changes and its implied ambiguity, the organizational structure clearly defines responsibility for the administration of policies.

In January 2012, the College convened a Response Team to address this recommendation. The Team reviewed language and job descriptions to support the campus-based leadership positions, examined the current ESC organizational chart, reviewed the multifaceted positions of all qualified personnel, and analyzed reporting patterns of positions with direct and indirect lines of supervision. The Response Team also researched best practices at colleges and universities with multi-campus structures [ 1 ].

Campus-based Leadership Positions

The SACS –COC Reaffirmation Committee noted confusion relating to campus-based positions, their relationship to College-wide leadership positions (termed District positions) and the direct and indirect lines of supervision associated with these positions.

Edison State College is committed to providing all campuses and sites with consistent support in all operations. The size and scope of facilities, course offerings, services, and human resources are determined by student enrollment and relevant programs.  As with many similar institutions of higher education that operate multiple campuses and sites, overall College leadership is provided by the District President. College-wide academic and student affairs leadership is provided by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs respectively. These positions hold district wide responsibility [ 2 ].

The Campus Presidents direct the implementation of College policies in the educational and daily operations of the campus site, and report directly to the District President [ 3 ]. On each of the campuses and instructional sites, staff and administrators report to direct supervisors, and ultimately the Campus President. Although the campuses/sites maintain autonomy in meeting individual community needs, they comply with College-wide expectations and Operating Procedures. 

The Academic structure for curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning is enforced College-wide. Academic Department Chairs serve as leaders for faculty throughout the College, regardless of location. Faculty members participate in monthly department meetings led by department chairs, in collaboration with Associate and Academic Deans. The academic unit reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs [ 4 ].

The Student Affairs structure for enrollment management, admissions, registration, advising, testing services, disability services, and student conduct are enforced College-wide. Staff members participate on College-wide councils and committees. Campus-based Student Affairs administrators report indirectly to the Vice President of Student Affairs and to Campus Presidents  for daily operations [ 5 ].

The Vice Presidents of Academic and Student Affairs collaborate on all areas related to enrollment goals, support for students and shared academic and student affairs matters. Both administrators report directly to the District President.

Edison State College Organizational Chart

The organizational structure has been updated to accurately reflect the direct and indirect reporting structures of all campus-based personnel [ 6 ] and charts are  published, with a direct link, on the Human Resources page of the ESC website [ 7 ]. As with any organization experiencing transformation, the organizational chart has undergone a number of revisions. As positions are condensed, the structure is revised. All staff are apprised of changes, and have ready access to the organizational structure posted on the website.

College Operating Procedures

In addition to the work of the 3.2.7 Response Team, an additional Response Team of administrators, staff and faculty formed to review accuracy and clarity of all College Operating Procedures. Through this review process, the Response Team recommended changes for consideration by the administration and, consequently, the District Board of Trustees to eliminate perceived ambiguity [ 8 ] [ 9 ] . Suggestions have been noted in summary reports for current and future implementation [ 10 ] [ 11 ].

Documentation  
Supporting Documentation Description
[1] Multi-campus Structures Best practices at other Multi-Campus Institutions
[2] Organizational Charts Academic Division and Student Services Division
[3] Job Description District President
[4] Organizational Chart Academic Division
[5] Organizational Chart Student Services
[6] Organizational Chart College Organizational Chart
[7] Website Human Resources Website
[8] Committee Report COP Review Committee Report
[9] Committee Report SACS Response Team Report
[10] COP Updates Report – Suggested Updates to College Operating Procedures
[11] COP Updates Report – Comments and Suggested Updates to College Operating Procedures