Communication Strategy Used by the Disciplinary Committee, MSS
1. Highlight the Current Communication Strategy Used
The disciplinary committee, MSS uses the One-way Asymmetrical communication strategy. This communication strategy is used because:
• Authority is prioritized:
As much as the students can defend themselves, we found out that authority is a huge factor of the committee. There is a need to maintain respect from the students to the MSS.
• Rules are imposed:
The students do not have a choice whether to obey the rules or not. They are obligated to act according to the rules set by the MSS which is vested in the handbook to create order in the Covenant University environment.
• Student input is minimal:
Though students can provide feedback during hearings, we found out that the input of student is not as much as it would be in a two- way communication system. The students have to follow the rules duly and go through the disciplinary process before they can give their take on issues or matters of the university.
Communication Channels Used
• Formal:
Most of the channels listed above are formal, and are well structured and we found out that this is due to the need for documentation.
• Authority Driven:
These channels used are ones used to bring about a level of authority.
• Structure:
The use of mostly formal channels has brought about structure to the communication strategy used by the committee.
The strategy focuses on enforcing rules and maintaining discipline rater than promoting two-way dialogue or participatory communication.
2. Name the Communication Strategy
The communication strategy used is the One-way Asymmetrical Model developed from the Two-way Symmetrical Model developed by James Grunig and Todd Hunt.
The strategy is characterized by:
• Communication flowing from the authority (MSS) to the audience which in this case is the Covenant University students.
• The main goal is persuasion and control.
• There is limited or controlled feedback from the audience.
In this context or scenario, the disciplinary committee, MSS uses this strategy to enforce rules and policies rather than mutual understanding in the initial stage. Mutual understanding is only thought of or enforced when the rules are broken or during disciplinary hearing.
3. Measure the Effectiveness of the Communication Strategy
To measure the effectiveness of the communication strategy in this context, the following were considered:
1. Compliance role:
A staff of MSS let us know that there has been 70% of students comply to the rules and codes of conduct of the university. Only a few percentages of students don’t comply by the rules and actually put in their ‘A’ game.
2. Speed of behavioral compliance:
When students have been given a warning letter or they have been given some form of punishment, we found out that the students do not repeat the same act of misconduct.
3. Student Perception:
We also found out that students believe the MSS is a ‘scary’ institution and most students do not want to associate with them. They believe the committee is not welcoming and this has been due to the laws that have been imposed and how they have been communicated. The communication strategy being used has brought about a disassociation with the university with the committee, MSS. According to the survey, the students believe the MSS communication strategy is effective to some extent.
4. Institutional Stability:
The communication strategy used by the university has brought about a level of stability. Due to the fear they have for the MSS, the students comply by the rules and do accordingly what they are expected to do.
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