What metaphors do educational organizations typically use to describe their approach to human resources? How well do these metaphors work?

When I began my employment at the community college, I heard the word "family" from the president to the Dean of Student Services (to whom I reported directly). I came to understand that the family I had outside of the college was important to my supervisor as he often would inquire of their wellbeing when he stopped in to chat. I believe he understood that my family was very important to me. Likewise, I believe he had a strong family value. However, I was not the only person he asked as he often knew family member names of others in the office including both professional and support staff. Sometimes co-workers would bring their children to the office. Everyone would come around to talk to the children and ask about school or other important events in their lives and offer some candy or other small token of their visit. We were watching each child grow and we shared stories. It seemed that everyone shared the philosophy of "family" at our workplace.

The environment of the college campus has been very much a family with reference to the human resource frame. We share our joys and our sorrows with the college "family." Campus-wide notifications are made when there are births, deaths, retirement parties, wedding showers and baby showers are hosted, even our birthdays were posted on a college calendar available electronically so we could send birthday cards to our colleagues. We have an institutional fund to send flowers for certain occasions. Two weeks ago, a faculty member was retiring and a colleague hosted a supper at her home for those who could attend. Our endowment provides lunch for all full-time faculty and staff three times each year. This is similar to a family reunion because we may see others from around campus that we have not had time to catch up with in a few months.

As I have recently moved to a faculty position, I have learned a different part of the culture at our college. The physical location of faculty member offices is very decentralized and often creates a disconnect with others within this division. I may go for weeks without speaking to someone who is in my academic division. This is new to me having come from Student Services where everyone was housed in the same area and I saw each one every day and knew if someone was having a bad day. Nonetheless, I still know that those in my academic division respect what I do and appreciate my being a part of their "family."

I suppose we are a lot of small families all rolled into one larger family.