SALEM COLLEGE

Salem College in Winston-Salem North Carolina

Salem College in Winston-Salem North Carolina

Introduction

The governance system of non-profit organizations is not “one size fits all.” There is no ideal board size, simple formula for board composition, a definitive board member job description, perfect committee structure, or a best way to run a board meeting. While every nonprofit must have a board of directors, board size and composition, board job descriptions and committee structures, and board meeting processes vary because nonprofit organizations are different. They have different missions and unique histories and are at different stages in their organizational life cycle. They are various sizes, have diverse organizational structures, and change over time, resulting in different organizational needs. In this connection, this study will critically analyze the organizational governance system at Salem College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Salem College

Salem Community College Located in Carney's Point Township, Salem Community College began as a career education center in 1957 and became the Salem County Technical Institute in 1958. In 1971 it affiliated with Wilmington College in Delaware and became Salem Community College upon receiving degree-granting authority in 1972. It achieved Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools regional accreditation in 1979. Salem Community College is particularly well known for having the nation's only associate degree program in scientific glassblowing technology (Salem College, 2011). Facilities established since 1998 include a five-thousand-square-foot Glass Center, the Paul J. Stankard Gallery, a distance-learning center, and a classroom center in the city of Salem.

Mission Statement of Salem College

Salem College, a liberal arts college for women, values its students as individuals, develops their unique potential and prepares them to change the world.

Student Perception Regarding College

Students have mixed feelings about Salem, although most never regret their time here. Some of the best things about this school are the friendships that students make with peers and the close relationships that develop with faculty members. However, some feel that Salem's sense of community almost makes it too sheltered and insular. There are plenty of opportunities for leadership and participation, but a small group of active students often end up in charge of many big clubs and stretch themselves to the point of exhaustion. Students sometimes feel a disconnect with newer members of the administration who are less familiar with Salem College's traditions; if newcomers try to "standardize" the school to the point of losing that sense of community, it really upsets the crowd. Salem does try to mold students into independent thinkers because that's the best thing the College can offer. Since Salem is a small, all-women's school, it can't offer everything larger colleges might, which forces students to take initiative and take control of their academic lives (Salem College, 2011). If you want to meet guys, you have to make a conscious decision to do so. If you want to attend community events, you have to figure out where they are. If you disagree with something on campus, you have to find the confidence to change it. All of this fosters independence you might not gain at a larger ...