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When a student comes to the Financial Aid Office, the power is with the financial aid professional. You determine what will happen. You have the power. All that's missing is the mace... |
What Do You Need Mace For?  This summer with the family, I visited the
Tower of London and saw the Crown Jewels.
Very striking. One set of items that
stunned me - figuratively, of course -
were the royal maces. My dictionary
defines "mace" as a
medieval weapon or
a ceremonial staff
used as a symbol of
public authority. The
ones on display in
the Tower would
have made great weapons for
a close-in fight, but that kind of use wouldn't do the
gold or gems any good. However, as a symbol of
authority, they would impress me!Shortly after I returned from the vacation, I was giving a seminar at a college. The event was introduced by one of the university's vice presidents who told about an upcoming "convocation" at which the senior college officers would wear their caps and gowns and carry their maces. There being no mention of a fight, I take it that he was talking about ceremonial staffs, symbols of public authority. I'm sure that procession will make an impact. Personally, I love the heraldry stuff. I have the impression from somewhere that my forebearers from England were on Robin Hood's side. If we have a coat of arms, it's likely crossed handcuffs or a ball and chain. But to impress someone, that royal hardware and the heraldry trappings are great! Sometimes you really want to impress people. College convocations are probably such events. But then sometimes, maybe impressing people is not such a good idea. I'm thinking of college students coming to the Financial Aid Office for help. Of course you'd like to impress them with your competency and resources. But you don't want to impress them with your authority and institutional power. I've never met anyone in financial aid who owns a mace. At least they don't bring it to work. The trick for the financial aid people is to be sure that the students don't see you as carrying a mace - even though it's not physically there. Here is what I mean. When a student comes to the Financial Aid Office, the power is with the financial aid professional. If that's you, you have the information. You "own" the space. You have the position and the title. You wear the mantle of the college. You determine what will happen. You have the power. All that's missing is the mace - the "ceremonial staff used as a symbol of public authority"! (And now I know where you can find one.) Of course, it's never your intention to abuse that power or to whack anyone over the head with your figurative mace. My point is that, from the student's point of view, there is a risk that he or she will see your mace - even if you're not literally carrying one and don't intend to abuse your superior position. The setting, the relationship, the urgency of the student's needs - are so skewed to your side that it takes a real effort to be warm and personal if the scepter of your power is to go unnoticed. The Tower of London served, at one time, as a castle for the king and now is a showplace for history, pageantry, and royal wealth. But mostly it is associated with the imprisonment and execution of high-placed and famous people (shudder). The king had incredible power over the lives and fortunes of the people, even the wealthiest and most talented. I won't suggest that the Tower of London is in any way a metaphor for the Financial Aid Office. But there is always the risk that your students may see some similarities. The trick is to be sure that your caring for each of your student clients communicates that you are there to help and serve. You didn't bring your mace today! At Buckingham Palace, the Royal Guards stand immobile at their posts. Part of the fun for tourists is in trying to distract them, to get one to move or smile. At the Tower of London, remarkably, the official presence is in the Beefeaters, colorfully dressed officers whose reputation is for fun, congeniality, and hospitality. They love to chat and pose for pictures, their bright red and gold outfits lighting up the scene. You know they belong to the institution. But you also know they are not carrying the mace. |
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