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Community of Care: an environment where individuals take responsibility for and
contribute to improving the well being of self, others, and their communities.
How do we engage students, staff, and faculty in creating a community of care
through:
- Customer service?
- Wellness?
- Communication?
- Safety?
- Campus Culture?
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- Social Justice?
- Technology?
- Environment?
- Daily Practice?
- Crisis Management?
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A community of care promotes connection such that one’s own success and
well-being is tied to the success and well-being of others. This involves taking
a holistic approach to our work and personal lives, integrating self-care and
other-care and encouraging communication and collaboration between providers and
customers, administration, employees, and students, and between different
student affairs departments. In contrast, our current society is one that many
if us would describe as individualistic, competitive, and fast paced. As a
result, feelings of isolation and of having limited time and resources abound.
In such an environment, it can be difficult to see beyond the current task or
crisis of one’s own responsibilities.
Times of crisis and extreme circumstances generally evoke tremendous
demonstrations of care for those affected. We should strive to establish such an
ethic of care on a daily basis for ourselves, other individuals, and our
communities. Methods are needed to refocus our efforts to effect change beyond
just our own campuses. Together we can create an environment where everyone is
seen, heard, respected, and valued.
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