T he study concluded that factors affecting the success of the
institutionalization of the trimester plan were a combination of fortuitous
factors that were fortunately present by sheer chance of an appropriate
climate, and factors that were carefully planned and judiciously handled
by university administration. Negative factors were also identified, such
as the neglect of the non-teaching staff and inappropriateness of the pilot
study (although tactically it was most useful) but these factors did not
effectively halt the installation of the management change.
The implications for major changes in the future were harder to
draw out. It was clear that both the general political climate on campus
and management style resulting from a muc h larger campus have
changed, and the same spirit of constructive co-operation from all sectors
could not be counted on in the same manner. It was also clear that major
change would be more readily accepted if it came from a genuine student
or faculty initiative rather than from the administration. But in any case,
the general practice of thorough consultations, flexibility of means,
clarity of goal, and strong leadership would still be essential in the
management of any major university change.
The advice which w e can offer from this experience to any
institution in a developing country wishing to implement a change in
order to increase its efficiency and/or effectiveness is summarized to a
great extent in the model developed in Part II. Although the model is
applicable in the context of D e La Salle University, yet there are useful
pointers for various stages of changes which any institution would do
well to keep in mind. Apart from this framework, w e can mak e the
following additional remarks:
Evaluate the pros and cons of any major change in terms of
whether the institution's stability and reputation is strong
enough to cope with division among the staff, adverse criticism
etc... Ho w necessary is a far-reaching major change, could it
be split or gradually introduced by phases?
° Linked to the above is the question of size of the institution: a
small or medium-sized university has the advantage that
information can be easily disseminated and discussions held
with all participants. A n influential leader carries more weight
in a smaller size institution. A large size institution ma y more
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Change from a semester to a trimester system at
the De La Salle University, Philippines
advisedly begin by making the change in only one of its units
where the staff ma y be more open to innovation (e.g. the
graduate business school as in the case of D e La Salle, but in
any case a pilot project is always to be recommended).
Source of the change: In this case, the source was experience
of study abroad. Most developing country universities have
staff with such experience, but when they return home , they
find a situation where the majority of academics are not
expected to interest themselves in administration or
management. Ne w ideas therefore have no outlet, unless the
staff membe r is say, an Academic Vice-President! Universities
need to stimulate sources of change, i.e. circulation of
information on management in other institutions/countries,
regular fora of discussion on management issues and connected
university problems, research on university management... The
fact that the D e La Salle change had to undergo such a long
incubation period should demonstrate very forcibly to other
institutions that they need to float ideas of change throughout
the university to create an awareness that change is a natural
beneficial process and that what was done for the last ten years
is not necessarily the best practice.
This being said, a change is more acceptable where all
participants affected feel they have contributed and have been
involved. Ideally, those mainly affected should be the source
of the change, but where this cannot be the case, mechanisms
should be set up to bring them in from the beginning.
Leadership: its continued vitality and stability over the period
of the change is essential. A management team composed of
key members of the staff, wh o are trusted representatives of the
rank and file and not only of the upper hierarchy, should be
formed.
Timing: In the case of the D e La Salle study this ma y have
been a matter of happy coincidence, but before making a
change, thought should be given as to whether other changes
are likely to be introduced in the near future which are likely to
inflame passions on the campus. O n the other hand, where
some positive changes are being enforced by the Government,
the university might be able to take the opportunity