Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Graduate Capstone Projects 2009 The evolution of Eastern Michigan University: The politics of change and persistence Dawn Malone Gaymer Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/theses Part of the Higher Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation Gaymer, Dawn Malone, "The ve olution of Eastern Michigan University: The politics of change and persistence" (2009). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 217. http://commons.emich.edu/theses/217 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Graduate Capstone Projects at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE EVOLUTION OF EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY: THE POLITICS OF CHANGE AND PERSISTENCE by Dawn Malone Gaymer Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Leadership and Counseling Eastern Michigan University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION James Barott, PhD David Anderson, PhD LaVerne Higgins, PhD Jaclynn Tracy, PhD September 23, 2009 Ypsilanti, Michigan Eastern Michigan University ii “Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to, convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty.” Thomas Jefferson Eastern Michigan University iii APPROVAL The Evolution of Eastern Michigan University: The Politics of Change and Persistence Dawn Malone Gaymer APPROVED: ________________________________ ___________________________ James Barott, PhD Date ________________________________ ___________________________ David Anderson, PhD Date ________________________________ ___________________________ LaVerne Higgins, PhD Date ________________________________ ___________________________ Jaclynn Tracy, PhD Date Eastern Michigan University iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of my father, Robert Henry Fortin, and my grandmother, Helen Mabel Peters Harrell. My dad taught me to work hard and celebrate the fruit of my labor. My grandmother had an eighth grade education and provided me with profound wisdom for life. Eastern Michigan University v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Confucius said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This journey included many steps and many friends and family who were a source of encouragement and support. First and foremost, this study is the product of countless hours of mentoring from my dissertation chair, Dr. James Barott. I will forever be thankful for his guidance through this endeavor and for his investment in my knowledge acquisition and introduction to scholarship. I am also most appreciative that I have been privileged to work with Dr. Jaclynn Tracy in a variety of capacities. She was instrumental in helping to shape my perspective and helping me to find the light at the end of the tunnel. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Carolyn Dahl and Dr. Jaclynn Tracy for introducing me to the field of adult and continuing education. You have both inspired my leadership, teaching, and scholarship, and I will always be grateful. Dr. LaVerne Higgins has provided me with on-demand support and instrumental in helping to break down obstacles that stood between me and this finished project. I am most appreciative to have had her unwavering support and dedication during this journey. Thank you, Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Ron Flowers, for your intellectual challenges and dedicated efforts on my behalf. I am extremely fortuitous to share my life with my best friend and student-colleague. He listened relentlessly to each page of this document as it was formulated in my head. I will forever be grateful to my husband Dan for walking with me on each step of this journey. Eastern Michigan University vi As a young mother, I recognized that the children of educated parents had a much higher probability of becoming educated themselves. This was the motivating factor for my education and my career pursuits. My daughters, Mandy and Lindsay, and son, Kyle, have always shared their mother with her educational pursuits and serve as a constant source of pride and inspiration for me. My mother has always believed in me and established my confidence for continuously setting higher goals for myself. My sister Denise and life-long brother-in-law Gary have provided me with stability and security; thank you for always providing me with a safe-harbor. My sister Bonnie is a constant source of encouragement. My dear friend, Nancy, consistently offered optimism and friendship. My brother Bob introduced me to “friendly conflict” at an early age and taught me tenacity. Several family members provided constant encouragement; thank you to Drew, Pam, Jamie, Shelly, Gail, Jan, and Jody, as well as all of the members of my collective “Fortin” and “Gaymer” families. I would also like to give special recognition to my COB colleague-partner and friend, Michelle Henry, for her continued support. Thank you also to our COB graduate programs staff, you are an amazing group. Many COB and EMU colleagues provided encouragement and offered an ear “as needed” over the years, including Anne, Denise, Fraya, Julie, Mary, Shirley, and Sue. I also need to acknowledge the individuals who directly supported my data collection, especially John and Rosina from the University Archives as well as Judy from the Library. Thank you also to the Bedford Branch of the Monroe County Library and the Ypsilanti Historical Society staff. Thank you also to Beth for her graphic art support. Eastern Michigan University vii ABSTRACT Background: Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a regional comprehensive university established as a teacher training school in 1849. This case study analyzed the politics of change and persistence as the organization evolved from a normal schools that trained teachers to a regional comprehensive university. Purpose: This study was pursued to inform higher education leadership; satisfy the personal interests of the researcher and to contribute knowledge to comprehensive university organizational studies. Research Design: An interpretive longitudal historical case study design was pursed for this research. This case study reviewed the political cultural environment that occurred prior to the organization’s formation and through its transition to a multi- purpose university. The study describes the cultural environment, the Michigan Higher Education System and the organization as they evolved over time. Data Collection and Analysis: data were collected from non-obtrusive sources including: EMU archives, historical publications, Ypsilanti Historical Society, newspapers, catalogues, and brochures. As data was collected, categories were identified based on the presence of critical historical events. The categories included; demographics, economics, conflict and governance. Each of the categories was examined at national, state and local environmental levels. The data was organized into socially constructed eras that included three historical eras that occurred prior to the formation of the organization and six organizational eras that included the years 1850 – 1980. Findings: The study explains that the organization had three organizing biases that have persisted over time and that each bias becomes dominant when their respective referential cultural level of the environment is dominant. The governance of the organization changed in accordance with the dominant environmental level. The three organizing biases are; disciplines, semi-professional (methods) and local interests. Implications: The study illustrates the importance of understanding the competing values of an educational organization and how those values relate to a changing cultural environment. The study informs decision making and strategic approaches to higher education leadership. The study contributes to the literature regarding regional comprehensive universities and provides a general overview of the evolution of Michigan’s higher education system in relation to governance and cultural events. Eastern Michigan University viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ........................................................................................................................ iii Dedication ...................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................... v Abstract .......................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................. x List of Figures ................................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ........................................................................ 1 Chapter 2: Methodology ................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 3: Historical Background ................................................................................