Stetson University Values
Dear Members of the Stetson University Community:
It is with great pleasure that I send you the final report of our Values Conversations from the 2011-12 year. Both Emily Mieras and Chris Kandus have my sincerest thanks for the hard work they did steering these discussions and coming to a new model for the integration of values into the 21st century life of our University. Emily and Chris pulled together your many, sometimes divergent, comments into a document reviewed by many parts of the University and approved by our Board of Trustees at its May 2012 meeting.
I will leave it for you to read the whole report and to reflect on the image that has been designed to capture and graphically represent our values. You will note that in the center is Personal and Social Responsibility surrounded by the core values of Personal Growth, Intellectual Development, and Global Citizenship. The more specific values, like Diversity, which encircle the model, include many of those that have been part and parcel of Stetson for many years; others, like Integrity, while always a part of Stetson, are now added to assure that they are consciously made part of our fabric. Finally, the entire circular representation reminds us of the interrelatedness and interdependence of all of our values.
Dr. Bob Sitler has graciously agreed to assume the role of Values Commitment Leader and in that role will report directly to me. The co-chairs of the three core values will be named shortly and will come from throughout the University. These seven individuals will be responsible for steering our values commitments through the early years of this model, and I ask you to give them your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
Special thanks is owed to all those who have chaired Values Councils over the decades and to the often groundbreaking work they have led. Stetson is a better place because of their commitment and the commitment of those on the individual Councils and the overall Council. Early this fall, I will bring the former Council chairs together to celebrate their work and personally thank them for their leadership.
In addition, there are a number of University policies that make specific reference to the Values Councils and their chairs. I have asked Chair of the Faculty Senate Jan Kindred and AVP for Human Resources Shelia Daniels to draft revisions of these policies to reflect the changes in structure recommended and approved through the Values Conversation process.
We have exciting times ahead of us. I hope many of you will have the interest and opportunity to work on the various task forces that will come from these recommendations. Every one of you has something important to contribute.
Sincerely,
Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D.
President
Stetson University