"Building a Sense of Community on Campus “Position Paper

Introduction:

Organizational theorists generally agree that climate is to an organization what personality is to an individual. Climate is what makes an organization special, distinguishing it from others. The analogy holds, for just as individual growth is sometimes slow and arduous, the development of an exemplary climate takes time and patience. It begins and is sustained by behavior at the leadership level and confirms the value of the individual input and responsibility. You cannot legislate or dictate trust; it is built through consistent behavior that lives up to the promise emanating from every level of the organization. It is an effort that is well worth the investment, for when "trust and respect characterize the climate, individuals will take more risks, challenging old beliefs and collaborating in new ways". According to theorist Linda Grace, "climate is about change, it is dynamic -subject to both internal and external influences and reflecting both wellness and weakness." Eduardo J. Padron, Community College Journal, 1994.

The objectives of this paper is to provide a perspective of organizational cli-mate which, for educational institutions, includes students and student life with-in the context of Philosophy of the field, current issues, concerns, and trends.