We are in richest seam of campus tradition: Christmas Candle Light, our Celebration of Mid-Year Graduates, and Be a Kid Again (the night before finals, hundreds of students show up in their pajamas for cocoa and cookies, and to hear a musical rendition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas) all unfold during the week following the Thanksgiving break.

Our campus Thanksgiving Dinner was this past week. It is my favorite of Susquehanna’s many traditions because it shines a bright light on what a remarkable and tight-knit community this is.

This annual celebration began in 1981. There are two seatings on Thursday and single seating for seniors on Friday. Many students form tables of friend groups, majors, teams, or student organizations. The traditional meal is served family-style by faculty, staff, and family members with lots of back-of-house support from O & M Dining.

At each dinner, I encourage the students to think about what they have accomplished and to reflect on how fortunate we are to be together in this wonderful place. With the seniors, I also ask them to appreciate what they have done over the past three-and-a-half years and how they have been changed, and I challenge them to make the most of their remaining six months as SU students.

For me, the best part is seeing how truly grateful everyone is. Their authenticity is heartwarming and humbling.

In that spirit, a few days ago, the Alumni Office sent out this Thanksgiving “Fireside Chat.” I provided a “State of the University” and answered some questions from our Alumni Association President, Jamie Hindman.

As we enter a season of giving and gratitude, it gave us a chance to thank alumni and friends of the University for all they do to make our work with students possible . Not unlike our student reflections, it was truly gratifying to take stock of what we have accomplished and the exciting opportunities that lie before us.

We have so much for which we are grateful. Thank you to all of you who have played a part in supporting the University and helping us to transform students’ lives for the better every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For most of our students, this will be the first time they have been able to vote in a presidential election. In keeping with our mission, we have undertaken many non-partisan efforts on campus under the heading, Achieve, Lead, Vote to promote voter registration and to provide objective resources in support of voter literacy.

This fall, over 400 of our students have registered to vote through these on-campus efforts, which have been supported by the All In Campus Democracy Challenge led by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) and the PA Department of State.

College students can choose to vote in the communities where their families reside, or they can vote here as residents of our campus, and thereby, Selinsgrove. For the latter, we also provide transportation to our two polling places.

I recently received a message from a colleague at a sister institution encouraging campus leaders to use their voices to help shape the outcome of the election stating that this is not a moment for campus neutrality. The issue isn’t one of lapsing from the campus neutrality of the Kalven Report, it is a Title IV concern that institutions receiving federal financial aid cannot be partisan.

As I was advised by a senior colleague a number of years ago, college presidents must be political, but they must not be publicly partisan. Therefore, I can’t endorse a party or a candidate. There can be no political signs in my yard, nor candidate bumper stickers on my car, but I can and should advocate for issues that support our mission and our students and argue against those that oppose them.

For years, when students have asked me for whom I will vote, I have replied “For the candidate who will best support education and the arts.” It plays by the rules, but it also signals to them that I am voting on issues rather than party or personality.

I do vote based on the issues, although more than just two. Sound economic policies, civil rights, the environment, healthcare, infrastructure, and diplomatic philosophies are also important to me. It often yields a mixed ticket.

We tell our students that they should vote, but we don’t tell them how they should vote. We encourage them to reflect on which issues are important to them, and we provide them with the tools to draw objective conclusions as they exercise their civic duty. If that were how all people approached the election, we would surely be enjoying a much more civil national ethos.

Susquehanna University is an institution of higher education that brings learners of different backgrounds, experiences, and talents into dialogue as they pursue knowledge and wisdom together.

To this end, we embrace the principles of free expression outlined by the American Association of University Professors:

Freedom of thought and expression is essential to any institution of higher learning. Universities and colleges exist not only to transmit knowledge. Equally, they interpret, explore, and expand that knowledge by testing the old and proposing the new. This mission guides learning outside the classroom quite as much as in class, and often inspires vigorous debate on those social, economic, and political issues that arouse the strongest passions. In the process, views will be expressed that may seem to many wrong, distasteful, or offensive. Such is the nature of freedom to sift and winnow ideas.[1]

We recognize that to foster an environment conducive to free discourse and debate, under most circumstances, the University itself should maintain a position of neutrality on the topics of the day, except when those subjects are clearly in alignment or at odds with our institutional mission or the “Statement on Ethical and Inclusive Living.” This practice closely aligns with the “Kalven Report” adopted by the University of Chicago:

A university has a great and unique role to play in fostering the development of social and political values in a society. The role is defined by the distinctive mission of the university and defined too by the distinctive characteristics of the university as a community. It is a role for the long term. The mission of the university is the discovery, improvement, and dissemination of knowledge. Its domain of inquiry and scrutiny includes all aspects and all values of society. A university faithful to its mission will provide enduring challenges to social values, policies, practices, and institutions. By design and by effect, it is the institution which creates discontent with the existing social arrangements and proposes new ones. In brief, a good university, like Socrates, will be upsetting.[2]

The aforementioned “Statement on Ethical and Inclusive Living,” affirms that:

We commit to maintaining and fostering a safe and welcoming campus environment that aids us all in the process of lifelong learning and the cultivation of good character. As Susquehanna continues its quest to embody the rich diversity of the human community, we are committed to the full participation of all persons representing the breadth of human differences.

[We]invite wonder into our daily lives. There is always more to understand and more opportunity for improvement in how we live our lives. We strive to learn more about our world and ourselves, and how we can make a positive impact on each. We understand that our curiosity may sometimes lead to discomfort as we confront difficult issues and ideas, and we resolve not to avoid such challenges.

[We]commit to having safe, respectful, and authentic dialogues. We emphasize freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech. We believe benefits are derived from sharing perspectives, understandings, and expectations with others – even when they may be in conflict with those held by some in the community. These conflicts are not to be avoided, but threatening or hateful acts are never tolerated. Talking across difference is an opportunity for learning and growth.[3]

As we promote free expression and inquiry, we demonstrate to our students and our community the importance of promoting and navigating an exchange of countervailing positions in strengthening our democracy and enriching the marketplace of ideas.

[1] American Association of University Professors: “On Freedom of Expression and Campus Speech Codes,” adopted November 1994.

[2] “Kalven Committee: Report on the University’s Role in Political and Social Action.” University of Chicago: Record, vol. 1, no. 1 (11 November 1967).

[3] “Susquehanna University Statement on Ethical and Inclusive Living.”  This statement sets forth the University’s values and goals; however, it does not create enforceable contractual rights.