Feedback and Suggestions (verbal)

• The CST Committee should pay attention to long-term and short-term challenges to USD. Examples:
1. As the peace studies institute moves into School of Peace Studies, there could be a strategic challenge of partial expression of CST. This should not be a substitute for campus-wide action.
2. Education [regarding CST] will eliminate the mystery of what CST is — important to communicate throughout campus.
3. Must address the relationship with CST and Catholic teaching on sexuality and family (question raised to Cardinal Martino). CST is more than justice and peace issues. The campus must explore the relationship of family and sexuality to CST, among other topics.
4. There needs to be a coordinating aspect of various centers and committees (e.g., Social Issues Committee). Important to think freshly: what are the roles of Center for Christian Spirituality, Center for Learning and Teaching, Community Service Learning, Social Issues Committee, etc.
• Important to anticipate and think through these challenges: balancing the heart vs. head. Head could predominate over heart. The opportunities are great.
• Important for Assimilation Reports Committee to identify the gaps.
• 2006-07 should be seen as the "year of education": inform selves and community, understand before acting — both head and heart are necessary.
• [Response to above statements] At the last CST town hall meeting, the faculty present did not want CST to be co-opted by left or right political views. Important that USD embraces CST as a whole; focus and treat as whole body of information.
• Question (to facilitator): Where will we end up?
• This year — will determine where we go (look 2-5 years out).
• Important to add Romero Center, Catholic Studies... and determine what is the role of the CST Committee to all of these areas? (cited in previous bullets)
• There are so many opportunities already: instead of creating more programming, we should focus on the current activities, but include discussions on how these activities relate to CST principles. Important to help students identify what we are talking about. CST Committee should look at coordinating (or create a body that would help coordinate/organize) coherent and connected programs... rather than add more.
• An example: Romero Center provides many activities already. Just received 3 different requests on AIDS in Africa. Important to make choices and have choices — but need to coordinate and collaborate. People and resources are stretched.
• Agree that the key is education on CST: heard someone commenting that USD is using CST teaching to get away from looking at Catholic identity. This is not correct: CST allows us to bring other faiths together in order to work together.
• CST is more than just action. CST helps to focus the action from a spiritual center: it is faith in action. Example: to participate in an AIDS walk is to support the dignity of each person. CST could be used to integrate action and reflection. CST comes from positions of faith.
• Important to show connection between events: "targeted marketing." For example: "If you liked this [event], try this one." Help to guide people to other events.
• CST Committee should see itself as a facilitator between various centers and events. It is a resource for faculty, students and staff to draw upon.
• A technique used in developing and educating on the Core Curriculum was to develop a series of questions (e.g., what is the relationship between CST and the University's Catholic identity?). Create an FAQ sheet: 5-6 sentence responses to tough questions. Important to address tough questions. FAQs could be placed on the CST website.
• [Response to previous comment about left and right politics] How do you keep politics out of CST? CST generates enthusiasm, energy — and also controversy. May be challenged by political views, many other views. Key: CST must be seen as an integrated whole.
• Off-Campus report appendix had numerous comments from schools where the focus was on social justice. CST is more than social justice. Faith is the center of CST, no matter what faith you belong. Any faith tradition.
• Question (from facilitator): How do students perceive CST Committee?
• Two years ago: no one new about CST. Awareness is increasing.
• Questions (from facilitator): How well is information presented? How much information is getting down to students? Have you heard about the Kenneth Himes' events next week?
• Students who work in Community Service Learning or have participated in a CSL project have heard about Kenneth Himes and next week's lectures. CST is a big theme in CSL. Not all students participate in CSL activities, so have not heard.
• Have not heard through classes.
• RAs may be biggest direct resource to the students, but the RAs have not heard about the lectures.
• Suggestion: Tuesday nights are RA/resident nights — an important time to contact students and get the word out.
• Questions (from facilitator): Where should CST go — looking toward future? Should CST Committee morph into a steering committee working with Mission and Ministry? What adjustments should be made?
• Important to maintain the momentum.
• Must look at the organizational architecture to sustain this momentum: develop and provide a number of options for Cabinet, Executive Council, and University Senate to consider.
• The dialogue about CST could provide a fresh outlook on what this organizational architecture should look like. Must put several options in front of Cabinet: one option could be evolutionary, maybe a movement into a future steering committee. Stress is on "fresh architecture" and "reshuffle the deck" — think innovatively.
• Earlier committee resisted "institutionalizing" — fear that CST would wither away. Important that CST engage all divisions and cross over divisional lines.
• Villanova may be a model to consider: when you hear their name, you think CST. They carved out niche, created a CST center which covers academic and non-academic issues. How did they get there?
• Question to ask when considering future of CST and how to maintain the momentum is how CST can become an organic part of USD. Cannot be attached to one division, looked at as that division's responsibility.
• [Response to above statements] Dr. Lyons did not intend for any of the strategic initiatives to wither away. She put SDI committees in place; committees and initiatives that would transform the institution. Important to struggle with and understand how to embed the CST initiative into the institution. Committee is cross-divisional; the solution is intended to be cross-divisional. CST is not intended to be put in a box, but rather to integrate into the fabric of USD life. CST Committee must present options that could set that direction.
• No one wants to put CST into one area (e.g., Mission and Ministry). Mission and Ministry may be the division that asks whether we are "walking the talk" in many areas, but this doesn't mean that Mission and Ministry would be responsible for CST. Other examples: School of Peace Studies and service areas are in different divisions. Let's look 4-5 years out: where do we want to be in 5 years. There may eventually be a "Center" — a place to go for all CST-related information — but that Center may be in PR (under Pam) or a number of other areas. Don't see CST going away.
• Important to look at Off-Campus report (appendix): look at where other universities are getting funding. One school has a $33 million endowment. Others: receives grants from "Our Sunday Visitor"; Raskob Foundation; Arts and Sciences budget; line item budget... There may be benefactors willing to support USD's efforts and a possible Center.
• Momentum has started: example - President's Convocation where Dr. Lyons focused on strategic initiatives. Maybe we use this momentum and focus — similar to "Values" banners begun in 2004. Use same method, incorporating CST values that we want to advertise and push — use consistent language on banners, in advertising, on the radio... Take this theme and incorporate into publicity.
• [Response to previous suggestion] Important to have "meat" behind an advertising campaign like this — e.g., strong foundation, a center, activities, education...

Feedback and Suggestions (written)

• I really don't care about "Catholic Social Thought." What I'm more interested in is Catholic Social Action or Catholic Social Teaching. I base value on what people do not so much as what they think. I know too many people who have lots of thoughts and almost zero action.
• I really don't know what "option for the poor and vulnerable" means, at least the use of the word "option." I'd like something more active, like "advocacy and intervention."
• We need to think about those who do not come from a Catholic tradition. Perhaps faculty from the theology department can help facilitate discussions on how other faith traditions treat/address social issues -> a good opportunity for interfaith dialogue. I would be interested in participating in something like this.
• What incentive (as mentioned as part of survey) are [sic] USD accommodating for students, faculty, and staff for incorporating and participating in CST?
• Don't forget the suggestion about an FAQ page for the website.