Back See this section in context: Criterion 4 Core Component 4C

4C.4: Service to a Diverse Community

Although the faculty has not articulated diversity as a general education competency, Sauk's Strategic Directions provide a clear mandate that the college community address diversity issues and suggests how this may be done in its statement of Shared Ethical Values. This directive is carried out in the curriculum in several ways:

• Humanities core curriculum outcomes: One specific outcome articulated by the humanities assessment objectives is that “Students will demonstrate a familiarity with and appreciation of our diverse human heritage.” This outcome is carried out across the array of courses in humanities, literature, philosophy, and foreign language that qualify as meeting the humanities GECC requirement.
• Education diversity requirements: Almost a dozen GECC courses are available that are specifically designed to expose students to non-Western culture and which have been approved to satisfy the University of Illinois’ diversity requirement for education majors.
• Classroom activities: Most Sauk faculty (91% of respondents) strongly or moderately promote or discuss diversity within their classrooms, according to the fall 2009 survey. Cultural diversity is interjected into classroom activities in a number of ways. Faculty provided the following examples:
  • Students in Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice (CJS 225) discuss racial profiling and its implications, importance of diversification of the police department, and the link with race and crime and poverty.
  • In Human Growth and Development (PSY 200) and Child Psychology (PSY 214), in-utero developmental problems are discussed along with their link to different racial/ethnic groups. Also, the connections with alcoholism and SES and different racial and ethnic groups are discussed.
  • A variety of Nursing classes present to students how different religions/cultures view medical interventions and treatment and how certain ethnic and cultural groups run an increased risk for diseases based on their dietary habits or genetics.

In addition to the general education competencies, which comprise the curriculum-delivered preparation for graduates to take their place in a global society as workers and citizens, Sauk has a long history of providing students an opportunity to serve others. This particular facet of social responsibility is modeled for students by the behaviors of the institution and its employees:

• Institution-level participation in local public service: Sauk itself is a contributor to the district it serves (5D.2):
  • The college has been a United Way participant for more than 25 years. In 2010, 23 employees gave a total of almost $3,000 to Whiteside County, Lee County, or Community Health Charities of Illinois.
  • The college promotes selected community projects. Opportunities for campus involvement in off-campus events are directed through the Director of Foundation and Grants to the President’s Cabinet for approval. For example, Sauk has annually provided a pie for the American Cancer Society pie auction, supported breast cancer research through Jeans Days, and the local Relay for Life event through sales of daffodils.
  • In addition to their site assignments, AmeriCorps members volunteer to assist at an estimated 80 community activities and events each year. Beginning in FY11, these opportunities have also been promoted to other students as well.
• Modeled by faculty and staff: In the fall 2009 survey, Sauk employees listed about 280 separate community organizations in which they volunteer.
• Clubs and organizations: One way that the college encourages public service by students in its co-curricular activities is by establishing a “Gold Wing” award that clubs and organization may earn. Under the terms of the program, Gold-wing status specifically requires a community service activity, thereby creating an incentive for clubs who do not otherwise have service or social responsibility built into a mission statement. Here is a sampling of service activities and projects undertaken by student clubs and organizations in recent years:
  • A.L.A.S. founded a Bilingual 4-H club in Rock Falls and hosted a Women’s Health Workshop
  • Campus Women’s Club held a “Walk a Mile in her Shoes” fundraiser for breast cancer research
  • Allied Health and Student Government cooperate to run regular blood drives
  • Student Government sponsored a Habitat for Humanity Trip to Texas in 2008
  • Phi Theta Kappa has regularly collected used textbooks to be sent to schools in foreign countries.