Laurentian Values: Initiative Aims to Foster Shared Beliefs

In these times of diverse perspectives and dissenting opinions, St. Lawrence University is taking a significant step forward by launching the Commission on Community Accountability. This initiative aims to foster understanding and strengthen community bonds across campus. Leading the Commission is Education Professor Jeff Frank, alongside co-chairs Vice Presidents Alison Del Rossi and Jon Duraj. They will be joined by faculty, staff, and students appointed by Thelmo, all working together to promote a more inclusive campus environment.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Commission will focus on bridging communication gaps and empowering every member of the campus community to engage constructively across differences. To gain clarity on the committee’s objectives, I reached out to Jeff Frank for insights.

He shared that “students have been involved in the Commission’s work since its inception.”

Over the summer, the Commission’s two subcommittees met frequently, with Thelmo representatives actively participating. Currently, these subcommittees are “continuing their work [through] this semester.”

When discussing the training provided to incoming students, Jeff explained, “All incoming students received training from CDI… [which] serves as a baseline for having challenging conversations.”

Additionally, the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Assessment, led by Jeff Maynes, has held several workshops this semester to help faculty facilitate difficult discussions in the classroom. Student life staff have also received extensive CDI training, and the Commission has engaged with student leaders and Community Advisors.

For students feeling stressed or overwhelmed, Jeff highlighted the numerous resources available on campus, including the Counseling Center, the Chaplain’s Office, the Wellness Education Office, Student Life, and International Student Services.

These departments regularly collaborate to enhance and promote these resources for students.

One of the Commission’s primary goals is to “coordinate the efforts of campus groups, creating new opportunities for communication and collaboration.”

They have hosted “listening sessions with student leaders” and are actively addressing student concerns as they arise. When I asked about student engagement opportunities, Jeff responded, “After President Morris announced the Commission, any student who emailed me about its work was able to meet with me personally. I welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone in the SLU community who would like to get involved with the Commission’s efforts.” He also emphasized that “the Commission is always open to feedback.”

Ultimately, the Commission aims to ensure that SLU fulfills its mission of providing an “inspiring and demanding undergraduate education in the liberal arts to students selected for their seriousness of purpose and intellectual promise.”

Members believe that “by reflecting on our shared purpose, we will learn how to get the most from our inspiring and demanding liberal arts education.”

Finally, when I inquired about meetings open to the campus community, Jeff noted, “Although there aren’t any open meetings planned in the near future, [the Commission] responds quickly to any questions or concerns that arise.”

With this commitment, the Commission is poised to play a vital role in shaping a more connected and understanding campus at St. Lawrence.