The problem of the institutional “we”
The problem with the institutional we is that not only is it barely a step up from the use of the passive voice, but that just like the passive voice, it’s a way to diffuse agency. In addition, although it attempts to suggest timelessness, to sidestep the sticky issues of archives where names and titles can be found that no longer are part of the institution, it does not generally succeed. Rather it is a form of stasis.
More importantly, it raise all sorts of issues about community boundaries, institutional coercion and the agenda of the persons writing (or editing, or approving) copy with the use of the institutional we. For although it may be intended to appear inclusive, the we is always connected to a verb or a state of being and objects and noun and verb phrases and all those things that attempt to define who belongs or more often the actions and attitudes of those who do or don’t belong.
I don’t know for sure how to get around it. I personally rely much too heavily on “the College” in my writing for work and ‘I’ in my own writing. But it seems to me that that “we” needs to be made more explicit at times and/or that managers and administrators or going to need to be more willing to use first person singular and speak for themselves because in the world of social media everybody is speaking about the institution and speaking as themselves in relation to it.
Comments
Leave a Reply
Wm’s Twitter stream- morriswm: @dub_jeff I don't think that's a mere suggestion, Jeff. Steve used JJ and LG in the keynote. That means you too are required to follow. September 2, 2010
- morriswm: If iPod Touch includes a video camera, then it becomes a great portable, content creation tool w/out data plan & perfect for higher ed use. September 1, 2010
- morriswm: Fantasy Football draft verdict: I did the opposite of all the things I was planning on doing. The result isn't pretty. August 30, 2010
- morriswm: RT @dunwoodycollege: Yes, it's Camille Paglia, but you gotta love the notion of "revalorizing the trades": http://ow.ly/2wJjj August 30, 2010
- morriswm: @andygifford This is why I advocate for aggressive ice cream management. Also: milk shakes. August 29, 2010
- morriswm: @yelvington There you go. Although if you are going to mess around with that -- might as well do the whole hobo meal in foil. August 29, 2010
-
