Office of the President

Memorandum

s.00-1

To: Members of Senate

From:

Jack P.Blaney

President

Re:

Values and Commitments Statement

Date:

December 21, 1999

I attach two documents, printed back-to-back on a single page, for discussion.

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CJ .. P. Blaney

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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Over the past seven months, small groups have been meeting informally at my

invitation to offer their personal views about the University and its future directions.

Fourteen group sessions brought together well over 150 participants who made up a

cross section of students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters beyond the campus.

Nancy Olewiler, Gregg Macdonald and I listened, took notes and carefully reviewed the

discussions. We also read all of the University's main planning documents from the

1970s forward.

We have attempted to distill what we heard and read into one brief statement of

Values and Commitment.

This is not what we set out to do. Our original goal was to

consult with our community and draft a statement of mission. But it became clear

from those we consulted, at least as a starting point, that it was more important to

elucidate the fundamental values and commitments that capture the spirit of our

community—an expression about our community from our community.

An earlier form of this statement was discussed with the Board of Governors, Chairs

and Academic Directors, and Vice-Presidents and Deans. We now invite comments from

all members of our community. You may send them directly to me or present them at

the open meetings which we will schedule in January.

As part of the consultative process, I anticipate a discussion at the January meeting of

Senate and a presentation of the statement to the Board in March.

From the beginning we attempted to avoid what most universities seem to do when

they create mission and other such statements: an avalanche of superlatives; a reliance

on "excellence" or "the best" as the definitive characteristics; and a list of every activity

and interest in which the University is engaged. Whatever refinements we make will

continue to avoid such practice. We want to capture, in one page and in few words, the

essence of what you feel defines our University, now and in the future.

While creating this statement, we heard many suggestions about specific initiatives or

actions we ought to take over the next three to five years. Early in the new year, for

information and discussion, we will send you these suggestions.

We look forward to hearing from you.

I.

President

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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY,

41,

VALUES AND COMMITMENTS

Intellectual and academic freedom, joined

with an open and inclusive community, are

the foundations of this university.

Upon these foundations, we promise to

engage all our communities in building a

robust and ethical society.

1ANt

150

Our defining contribution is scholarship:

we relish ideas, diversity and discovery.

We champion the liberal arts and sciences

and pioneering interdisciplinary and

professional programs.

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Our students and community can expect

teaching that is personal and learning

opportunities that are life-long.

We are a university where risks can be

taken and bold initiatives embraced;

where our spirit challenges the impossible.

SI

THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY