As I read about organizational culture and Dan's and April's blogs about the tension between the individual and the organization, Clemson University immediately came to mind as an example of an organization with a distinct culture.
Since President Barker announced that his goal is for Clemson to become one of the top twenty public research universities as listed in U.S. News and World Report, administrators have been targeting various categories the magazine looks for and trying to improve them. At this time, diversity is highly valued in the United States. Colleges and universities across the country are seeking to recruit "diverse" individuals, and Clemson is no exception. I feel that it's unfortunate that institutions of higher education seem to be seeking only racial diversity, but that's another topic. The point is that Clemson is recruiting "minorities" and international students in their quest for diversity.
As soon as students arrive at Clemson, they are encouraged to assimilate into the Clemson family while simultaneously valuing diversity. This year, all incoming freshmen participated in a program called "One Clemson," which was intended to teach them about other cultures they might might be encountering for the first time in college. Yet, while they are taught that all cultures have inherent value, they are also told they should become part of the "Clemson family." They should wear a lot of orange, especially on Fridays, and participate in Clemson traditions such as tailgating and going to football games.
My point is that I find it ironic that we recruit diverse students for their cultural differences and then try to assimilate them into our culture. To use metaphors we learned about immigration in American history, is Clemson a melting pot or a tossed salad? Is it possible for students to become members of the Clemson family while retaining their individuality? Of course, this is the classic tension between individuals and groups, and it can't be easily answered. Ideally, we should try to find a balance between our individual beliefs and our organizational ties. I saw an example of this one Friday. A woman, who I assume was Muslim, was wearing an orange Clemson T-shirt over a long-sleeved shirt with a long scarf and a traditional head scarf. Although she retained the clothing customary of her culture and religion, she also participated in the Clemson tradition of wearing orange on Friday. Maybe that's the kind of Clemson family we're pursuing, a tossed salad with an orange dressing (if you can follow my metaphor.)
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While I definitely see Lara's point, I could not help but laugh because of the metaphors she used. I think that is an interesting point. I have found that because I have not allowed myself to become a Clemson zombie, I have gotten dirty looks, confused responses, and comments asking why I even came here.
This reason is why I follow Dan's point of keeping one's individuality. I typically answer Clemson addicts by saying that I chose Clemson for the program, not for sweaty, testosterone driven football players and an overcrowded soup bowl. Alright, I lied a little: I usually just tell people I came because of the program.
In summation, Lara has hit the nail on the head. Clemson's purpose appears to be attainment of that orange melting pot. It could not only dispel some of the bad publicity the school acquired recently, but also attract more people to spread the word about this awesome reformed inclusive "salad of the South".
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