Fostering Community at Sacramento State
University Convocation: February 21, 2011
Summary & Recommendations
University Convocation Organizing Committee
BACKGROUND
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Faculty Senate Executive
Committee meets with President
Gonzalez.
National and local events: bullying
and suicide of Rutgers student;
shooting in Tucson; Placerville
Elementary School shooting;
campus incidents.
President responds, calls for
campus-wide convocation.
CONVOCATION COMMITTEE
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Carole Hayashino, VP, University Advancement
Vanessa Sheared, Dean, College of Education
Don Taylor, Asst. VP, Academic Planning
Kimo Ah Yun, Prof, Comm. Studies
Margarita Berta-Avila, Prof, Education
Tim Fong, Prof, Ethnic Studies
Janet Hecsh, Prof, Education
Greg Mark, Prof, Ethnic Studies
Steve Perez, Prof, Economics
PROGRAM FORMAT
“Fostering Community at Sacramento State”
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President: Welcome & Introduction
Keynote: Helen Zia, Journalist & Scholar
Discussion Groups (8 breakouts):
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Provide participants opportunity to share
experiences
Gather data & suggestions to develop
stronger campus community
Closing Session & Reception
DISCUSSION QUESTION 1
Who you are and how you describe yourself is
important in how you see the world and how
others see you.
Please take a moment to introduce yourself.
Provide your name and at least two ways to
describe yourself.
For example, “My name is “X” and I belong to
(identify a racial or ethnic group, gender, or
sexual orientation). I am a(n) (administrator,
administrative assistant, faculty, student,
mother, sister, etc.).
DISCUSSION QUESTION 2
Many different experiences can make a person feel
disconnected from their university community. For
example, a student may feel that their voice is
marginalized in class, a staff member may feel
bullied by someone in their office, or a faculty
member might experience harassment by a
colleague. Regardless of your place in the university,
there are many ways that someone else may do
something to make you feel uncomfortable.
In a general way, please share an experience, where
a situation, an individual or individuals, an event, or a
group you have joined have made you feel
unwelcome, devalued, or unappreciated. Or, share
an experience or situation that made you feel
welcomed and a valued member of the Sac State
Community.
DISCUSSION QUESTION 3
What do you believe is the role of public
universities, such as Sacramento State, to
build a community of students and scholars
that recognizes and fosters community by
embracing all types of diversity?
Develop an action item that is either curricular,
programmatic, or policy-related that might aid
our campus in building community by helping
others to understand and appreciate diversity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Hold future events, such as convocations, campus-wide lectureships, and annual days
of service, centered on a single theme.
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In May, the President could announce the topic for the coming year. T-shirts would be provided (at some
point) and specific dates would be deemed “T-shirt days” on campus. All campus community members
would be encouraged to wear their shirts on these select days.
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In the fall and spring, faculty could find ways to integrate the topic into their curriculum.
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A university-wide research competition could be held for students to conduct research of their choosing on
the selected theme.
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Near the end of fall, a convocation could be held on the selected topic.
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In the spring, the university would engage in small session dialogues on the selected topics.
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In May, the President could sponsor a picnic where the students in the university-wide curriculum present
their research in poster sessions and students, staff, faculty, and students could gather to view the student
research.
RECOMMENDATIONS
2. Promote “conduct protocols” on campus.
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There was some concern by students, staff, and faculty that conduct protocols
receive insufficient attention.
To build a sense of community on campus, it was recognized that all campus
community members must first be respectful to one another. There is a need to
embrace civil behavior and that it is incumbent on the entire campus community
to engage in discourse in a civil manner and to identify uncivil behavior when it
is present.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3. Engage the university at the curriculum level.
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Any meaningful, deliberate, and intentional changes would best be
accomplished through purposeful curriculum attentiveness.
Use of current structures such as first-year seminars, student orientation, and
the One Book program could be powerful resources.
RECOMMENDATIONS
4. Engage university faculty and staff.
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If students are best reached through the curriculum, then faculty and staff can
be reached through ongoing training sessions. New Faculty Orientation and HR
training are places to engage faculty.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5. Continue campus dialogue.
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Failure to follow up on discussions and actions around the convocation will
signal that the convocation was a “one shot” event. At Sacramento State, terms
and phrases, such as, “Community” and “Leadership begins here” are
commonly used. What is not necessarily known is what these phrases mean to
various units.
PARTING THOUGHTS
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Include staff and student representatives on the Convocation Organizing Committee.
Select a Convocation date far enough in advance to maximize student attendance.
Inform faculty of the importance of the convocation so they will encourage student
attendance. Many students either arrived late or left early because their instructors were not
as supportive of students attending the Convocation as hoped by the Organizing
Committee.
Attendance by Cabinet members and administrators was appreciated and their participation
in future convocations should be encouraged.
Keep the current committee (with the addition of staff and student representation) for the
next Convocation. The Organizing Committee works well together and looks forward to
being active participants with the next Convocation. As part of keeping the group intact, it is
also recommended that the Advancement Office continue to serve as the organizing arm of
these efforts.
CONCLUSION
“ I was able to attend four of the breakout
sessions, and the honest, constructive
dialogue I heard will be very helpful as we
work to build a greater community at our
university. It was very inspiring to see that this
goal of building a greater community is one
that we are interested in pursuing collectively.”
President Alexander Gonzalez
“It is ironic that efforts to find ways to build
community, served to build community. The
Sacramento State family grew closer and the
excitement was piqued in the days following
the Convocation and the anticipation of
wanting more still remains.”
2011 Convocation Organizing Committee