Gender-Inclusive Library Workgroup Report

The Gender-Inclusive Workgroup explored how VCU Libraries can better serve trans and gender-nonconforming users and staff. The group’s recommendations cover library spaces, staff, systems, services, and culture. Key recommendations include highlighting existing all-gender restrooms; building more gender-inclusive restrooms; expanding availability of menstrual products and disposal bins; continuing support for name-of-use changes in library systems; minimizing display of legal name in library systems; offering ongoing staff training in gender-inclusive language and customer service; and encouraging staff to share pronouns. The workgroup also recommends pursuing a culture of shared learning and inclusive thinking, with a reminder that gender identity is one facet of multiple intersecting identities for people in the VCU community

Annual Report of the Iowa Citizen's Aide/Ombudsman, 2011

Annual report for the Iowa Citizen's Aide/Ombudsman Office

Experts in wondering : a study of Reggio documentation

The focus of this independent study was to examine the role of documentation in the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, and to explore benefits and challenges to the integration of Reggio documentation practices in a Reform Jewish nursery school setting

Objectification of the Subject through the Exercise of Power: An Ethnographical Inquiry of Power in an American Policing Organization

abstract: A void exists in public administration, criminology, and criminal justice research as it relates to the study of power in American policing agencies. This has significant ramifications for academia and practitioners in terms of how they view, address, study, and interpret behaviors/actions in American policing agencies and organizations in general. In brief, mainstream research on power in organizations does not take into account relationships of power that do not act directly, and immediately, on others. By placing its emphasis on an agency centric perspective of power, the mainstream approach to the study of power fails to recognize indirect power relationships that influence discourse, pedagogy, mechanisms of communication, knowledge, and individual behavior/actions. In support of a more holistic inquiry, this study incorporates a Foucauldian perspective of power along with an ethnographical methodology and methods to build a greater understanding of power in policing organizations. This ethnography of an American policing organization illuminates the relationship between the exercise of power and the objectification of the subject through the interplay of relationships of communication, goal oriented activities, and relationships of power. Specifically, the findings demonstrate that sworn officers and civilian employees are objectified distinctly and dissimilarly. In summary, this study argues that the exercise of power in this American policing organization objectifies the civilian employee as a second class citizen.Dissertation/ThesisPh.D. Public Administration 201

See Me from Behind the Screen: Workplace Ostracism in a Remote Environment

Workplace Ostracism is a common social phenomenon that impacts individuals of diverse backgrounds, across various industries, and cultural experiences. Literature to date highlights direct and indirect relationships of workplace ostracism, concerning the psychological and behavioral outcomes an individual may experience and the impact to organizational goals. Of existing literature, studies have focused on acts of ostracism conducted in face-to-face (F2F) environments or in F2F workplace situations. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, many companies were forced into teleworking situations, where work continues to be conducted outside of the central work office or facility (remote). With the shift in working environments, the prevalence of workplace ostracism in a remote work environment is unknown; therefore, this study examines the prevalence and associated acts of workplace ostracism in a telework environment. Through our qualitative analysis, our findings indicate that ostracism does exist within the hybrid/remote environment and varies from exclusion from virtual engagements (meetings, chats, and/or calls), through limiting learning opportunities, and little to no interaction with peers regarding shared statements of work. Implications regarding the findings of the study are discussed, in addition to practical implications, limitations, and future research opportunities

Developing Trust in a Cross-Functional Workgroup: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Communication Intervention

Business organizations increasingly understand the benefits of forming cross-functional teams, which include collaborative efforts on new initiatives and solving for current issues in the organization. Putting together a group of people from different disciplines, however, is not enough to obtain the results businesses are looking to achieve. To be effective, groups must form into a team. There are two distinct differences between a group and a team. To build a team, a group must coalesce around a unifying mission, understanding, and agreement on the purpose of the team and what they need to accomplish to be successful. The second qualifying factor in the formation of a team is members of the group must trust each other. I created an intervention based on developing communication techniques in a small group to build trust in a cross-functional workgroup. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the potential effectiveness of an intervention I created using specifically designed communication techniques to build trust in a cross-functional workgroup, (b) determine which techniques were useful, and (c) assess where improvements could be made. What the study revealed is that a cross-functional workgroup can increase the level of trust group members have with each other and the group by enhanced communication training, including empathic listening and sharing experiences

Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Workgroup: Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Report and Recommendations

Rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are expected to increase greatly over the next decades. Many practices lack guidelines on how to increase quality of diagnosing, treating, and supporting people with dementia and their family members and other caregivers. This workgroup met from January to November 2017, aligned with and built off the Alzheimer’s State Plan, and organized recommendations with the following focus areas: Early detection and appropriate diagnosis Ongoing care and support or management including for family members and caregivers Advance care planning and palliative care Assessment and planning for need for increased support and/or higher levels of care Preparing for potential hospitalization Screening for delirium risk during hospitalization for all patients over 6