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OUR
VALUES
In
accordance with this mission, as a whole and
as committed individuals, we strive for excellence
through a student-centered philosophy. This
student-centered philosophy is a paradigm which
establishes our students and their needs as
the driving forces for our behaviors in the
Division for Student Life at St. Lawrence University.
With a student-centered philosophy, we create
environments and relationships conducive to
learning and personal growth, while creating
opportunities and challenges for students to
explore issues of multiculturalism and diversity
while developing as individual learners and
citizen leaders. To inspire and sustain us in
these efforts, and provide focus and meaning
to our work, we adopt the following values as
the common thread which binds us. Our values
transcend individual job descriptions and office
mission statements, and illuminate the ideals
to which we aspire in each interaction we undertake. |
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We
view student learning as the ultimate goal of
the programs and services offered by each
department within the Division for Student Life.
We are collaborators with faculty in the educational
enterprise of St. Lawrence University. We are
also committed to the life-long learning of
student life staff members at every level through
personal and professional development.
Having
passion is to have intense, compelling emotion
or conviction that inspires actions. We are
passionate when we demonstrate vigorous and
untiring activity in support of that emotion.
Passion is also shown when we display eagerness
and enthusiasm in the pursuit of a goal. A passionate
individual is driven to action with dedication,
devotion, and fervor. Passion springs from a
belief that “I can make a difference.”
It gives meaning to our work and deepens our
sense of self-worth. Passion also inspires our
creativity and pulls our true potential into
play.
We
are compassionate when we have empathy and deep
understanding of the needs and concerns of another,
with a genuine desire to help. Compassion also
is demonstrated by showing humanness and grace
towards others.
Integrity is shown by a firm adherence to our principles, with honest
and honorable behavior in support of those principles.
Our integrity is visible when our ideals and
beliefs set the boundaries and context for our
actions. To speak and act in a manner consistent
with and reflective of our beliefs and principles
also demonstrates our integrity. We must be
consistent in our interpretation and enforcement
of all University policies and procedures with
all community members.
A
quality contact is a meaningful interaction
in which we validate and support the persons
involved and help move them closer to their
goals. In quality contacts, we create intentional
opportunities to reach out, to make face-to-face
connections, and to build respectful communities.
Quality contacts also provide first-rate, value-added
service and educational programs which meet
or exceed expectations.
Teamwork
provides the means to achieve success by attention
to task, to process, and to relationships within
the team. Individually and collectively we are
a team when we know we need one another, with
the attitude that “when you succeed, I
succeed.” With teamwork, we work together
as individuals and offices towards a clearly
defined purpose or goal, with each person acting
as a catalyst to others and with an appreciation
that the sum is greater than the total of the
parts. Such goals are achieved through the diversity
of our individual abilities, collaboration,
open communication, mutual respect, flexibility,
innovation, trust and support. Within this team,
we create the space to maximize each person’s
abilities and unique talents.
| The mission
statement for the Division for Student Life
has as it's genesis the work of our colleagues
from the Division for Student Affairs at
California State Polytechnic University,
Pomona. We are grateful that they've shared
this work with us, as it captures the spirit
and intent of our work together. Each year
new St. Lawrence University Student Life
staff members review and rework the mission
statement adding/deleting values deemed
critical to our work, and at the end of
the exercise Student Life reaffirms its
commitment to student-centeredness. |
Last
Updated:
December 16, 2005
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