Whose Rights are Right in the Union?

Audrey Batista Michelle Daymon Tony Fucci

Case Review
Whose Rights Are Right in the Union is a case designed to highlight the tension between groups on campus with conflicting values.
Members of the LLA took Director of Student Activities, is faced with an incident offense to the contents of a display put up by the Alliance and broke into and stole the contents. As a result of the

The Director must decide how

to proceed, keeping in mind both legal and ethical implications of the situation.

between the Universitys Pride

Alliance and the Living Legacy Association who is on campus for a conference

incident, tensions are rising on

both sides and the Alliance is planning a protest outside of the Union.

Key Actors

John Hemming Director of Student Activities

Scott Miller Advisor to the Living Legacy Association

Susan Adams Director of Summer Conference Bureau

Key Actors

Bob Castle Alliance Faculty

Joyce Smith President of the

Rasheed Williams Facilities

Advisor

Alliance

Coordinator

Principle Decision Maker(s)

John Hemmings, Director of Student Activities

Rasheed Martin,
Facilities Coordinator of PSUs Student Union

Missing Information
How many display cases are there? What is the mission of the University? What are the values of the University?

How is the LLA identifying their negative treatment at PSU in the petition aside from the display case?

What are the details of the contract between PSU and the LLA pertaining to the use of the Union

What is the campus culture regarding LGBTQQIA Issues? (i.e. Is the Alliance an outlier in the campus culture?)

What are University policies regarding posting/display cases?

What is the University legal structure?

Has the University had issues with something like this in the past?

Essential Information
Police were contacted by Joyce.
There is a gathering planned to take place outside of the Union at 2:00pm.
The LLAs website was hacked and now directors visitors to the Marriage Equality Consortium

Items were stolen and University property was damaged.

The Alliance followed proper procedure in reserving the display case.

The Alliance has an EBoard member who has

the knowledge on how to

hack a website but nothing has been proven.

Scott admitted to the illegal activity.

Scott has contacted his attorneys.

The revenue from the LLA conference is high.

Decision Issues

Relevant Scholarship
Ethic of Care
John should take the Ethic of Care into consideration in deciding what role to play. This Ethic encourages thought on who will be hurt by the actions taken, what the long-term effects of

Turbulence Theory
Turbulence Theory may be used to assist John to assess the level of tension that exists on the campus. By understanding the level of tension on campus through this theory, John will be able to properly address affected individuals and student groups. The concept of Positionality within this theory asserts that turbulence on campus affects groups in different ways. (Shapiro & Gross, 2009).

First Amendment
The first amendment, while protecting freedom of religion, also protects freedom of expression. The text of the amendment states Congress shall make no law respecting an

the decision will be, and if

an individual has been helped by the decision (Shapiro & Gross, 2009).

establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,

and to petition the

Government for a redress of grievances.

Relevant Scholarship
Strategic Marketing
Using strategic Marketing will assist John in the development of long-term goals in the redesigning of marketing strategies for PSU. Strategic Marketing does not develop marketing plans that run

Collaboration
John can take a collaborative leadership approach in addressing this case by continuing to work with invested professionals to create alliances, and

Allies
The idea of having allies when managing power and politics will assist John in the development of his response to the two opposing groups currently on campus. He will need to work to ease tension between the groups and understanding how to manage the situation will be beneficial in this case. (Pfeffer, 1992).

contrary to the institutions

strategic plan but rather assist in the development of strategies that complement the values and goals of the institution. Developing a strategic marketing plan to meet the needs of the

through seeking viewpoints

and guidance from unbiased third parties. Putting forth these collaborative efforts will assist John in reaching the most desired outcome (Kezar, Carducci, Contreras-McGavin, 2006).

university in light of making

sure that the campus is marketing themselves correctly to guest conferences will describe how the institution will fulfill the needs and wants of the students (Kretovics, 2011).

Addressing the Gathering at the Union

Pro: Proactive Con: Damaged

Approach
Contact Campus Police and Work with PR Department

Relationship

Turbulence Theory First Amendment

Addressing the Gathering at the Union

Pro:
No Extra Attention
Wait and see what the gathering turns-out to be

Con:
Not Prepared Enough

Turbulence Theory

Addressing the Display Case

Pro: Support Alliance & Policy No Tolerance

Con:
Damage Relationship with LLA

Allow the Display, Call the Meeting & Press Charges

Collaborative Leadership First Amendment

Addressing the Display Case

Pro: Protects Content of the Case and Students
Wait to Displace the

Con: Damage Relationship with Alliance

Case, No
meeting & No charges

First Amendment Ethic of Care

Supporting Joyce
Pro:
Support Joyce Ask Bob to follow-up Con:

N/A

with Joyce

Ethic of Care

Addressing the Website Hacking Accusations

Pro:
No Direct Accusations
Meet with Alliance Executive Board Members

Con:
Interpreted Accusations

Turbulence Theory

Addressing the Website Hacking Accusations

Pro:
No Direct Accusations

Con:
Damaged Relationship

Do not get involved

Allies in the Management of Power and Politics

Addressing Current Marketing Methods and Contract Information

Pro: Clear Communication
Review and Assess Marketing Methods and Contracts & Provide Training

Con: N/A

Strategic Marketing

So. What DO we do?

Recommendations
Immediate - Contact Police and PR - Schedule the Meeting - Press Charges Short Term - Allow the Display Case - Offer Technical Assistance Support Joyce Long Term - Review and Assess Marketing Methods and Contracts - Provide Training to Negotiators

References
Kezar, A. J., Carducci, R., and Contreras-McGavin, M. (2006) Education Report: vol. 31, no. 6. San Francisco: JosseyBass/Wiley Kretovics, M. A. (2011). Business practices in higher education: A guide for todays administrators. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Pfeffer, J. (1994). Managing with Power: Politics and Influences in Organizations. Boston:Harvard Business School Press

Rethinking the L Word in Higher Education: The Revolution of Research on Leadership ASHE Higher

Shapiro, J.P., and Gross, S. J. (2008) Ethical Educational

Leadership in Turbulent Times: (Re)Solving Moral Dilemmas New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

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