Distance administration: Multiple perspectives on multi-site institutions

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly important to understand multi-campus arrangements in the rapidly changing higher education environment. Some attention has been given to the academic perspectives of such arrangements; however, there is limited published work relating to administrative and professional services. Different approaches are evident and although the organisational structure in any particular context will be determined by a host of complex and changing factors, it is important that careful consideration is given to the viewpoint of administrators who work day to day distant from the main institutional centre. This paper focuses on the perspectives of administrators within multi-campus institutions, emphasising the viewpoint of those working at sites that are not the main institutional administrative centre. It considers organisational structure and specific issues that might affect staff. Potential positives and negatives for individuals and institutions are discussed and key factors for consideration are emphasised.

Keywords:

• higher education
• satellite campus
• administration
• structure

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE) Small Development Fund grant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Dr Craig Gaskell is Principal of the University of Hull's Scarborough Campus and is a member of the University's Senior Management Team. He has held academic positions at Durham University and University College Scarborough and since 2000 has worked as an academic at the University of Hull with roles including Head of Department and Dean. Craig has extensive experience of leading and managing both academic and professional service departments and is actively involved in higher education research projects.

Elizabeth Hayton is Administrator and Project Officer at the University of Hull. She has worked in a number of different administrative roles and is now involved with projects at both a campus and an institutional level. Elizabeth also supports research into organisational structures, student experience and higher education policy.