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Managing Through Music: Clarifying Radcliffe Choral Society's Decision-Making Processes

Citation:

Mona Miao. 5/9/2019. “Managing Through Music: Clarifying Radcliffe Choral Society's Decision-Making Processes”. Type of Work: SOCIOL1130 Spring 2019 course research project.
sociol_1130_rcs_final_paper_mona_miao-1.pdf466 KB

Abstract:

The Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS) is a faculty-conducted choral ensemble that also happens to be a Harvard music department course, a recognized student organization and an independent, student-managed 501(c)3 non-profit. Given the rather unique but complicated organizational structure of RCS, one challenge student leaders face is navigating the different relationships that exist with the various stakeholders (members of the choir, faculty, administration, our alumni foundation, etc) involved, especially in the context of decision-making. This research project sought to clarify ambiguities surrounding decision-making processes and to start honest conversations with student leaders and artistic staff about these challenges the organization faces. Based on a survey of 18 out of 21 members on the Executive Committee and 8 interviews with some of those members and the artistic staff, the perceived issues with decision-making in RCS boiled down to clarity of voting procedures and clarity of student agency or voting implications. The findings led to recommended guidelines for future votes that included mechanisms for better communication and transparency between student leaders and artistic staff in an effort to reduce ambiguity of procedures or implications.