2019 Annual Conference

Colleges and Universities

Fast Format (7 minutes)

In a climate of “do more with less” there is a significant amount of “invisible labor” that is being performed. This “invisible labor” needs to be brought to light for institutions to know what it takes to successfully operate their institutions

The targes audience are those who work in higher education institutions where there are financial challenges, and a charge to "do more with less". Tenured faculty have a responsiblility to their organizations to work with staff in addressing the crisis of doing more with less.

Participants will be exposed to and increase their understanding of the concept of “invisible labor”, its impact and discuss strategies to address “invisible labor” in their organizations.
Participants will be provided another lens in addressing and understanding management and leadership in higher education

The presenter was first introduced to the concept of "invisible labor" from Brown-Glaude (2009) Doing Diversity in Higher Education: Faculty Leaders Share Challenges and Strategies. The concept was used to describe the "invisible labor" in developing a gender studies program at Rutgers University. Taking this concept, I began examining my organization and realized there was "invisible labor" at my institution. In our current era of "doing more with less" there is an unconscious expectation that work will be completed regardless of the reduction of faculty and staff at higher education institutions. Higher education institutions are looking to operate more like a business, but expect the employees to act like it is a non-profit. "Doing more with less" is a state of crisis and it is the responsibility of faculty and staff to inform the leaders of the organization what it takes to successfully operate the entity.

This session will introduce the concept of "invisible labor" and ask the participants what they are doing and what their plans are in addressing "invisible labor" at their institutions.

Introduction - 1 min

Guided discussion - 5 min

Gather contact information for questions and comments - 1 min