The Dean's Corner is an online commentary from Dean Stein and his associates in the Office of the Dean of Students to address prevailing and important issues relevant to student life and learning at Stony Brook University.
LeadSTRONG Conference speech highlights
The following are highlights from Dean Stein's welcome at the 2011 LeadSTRONG Conference at Stony Brook University - February 27, 2011.
Five Insights to Becoming an Effective Leader
- Be deliberate about how you want to be perceived
Think about how you want to be viewed and remembered. Is this currently the way you want people to see you? It is essential to make a concerted effort to brand yourself because if you don't, somebody else will or already has. Take a deep look inside yourself and convey an image that is consistent with the way you want to be perceived. - Choose your preferred style of leadership
Finding a style of leadership involves thinking about your interactions with the people you are leading. As you navigate your way through leadership experiences, an approach may surface that truly works for you. Realize there are different styles and all can be quite effective. You should be able to adapt your approach when necessary. At the same time, you must never compromise your standards. - Create a diverse team that is committed to the vision
As a leader, it is vital that you know who is on your team. A diverse team that brings a variety of insights and strengths will create the culture needed to bring about change. Seek and hold on to people who are loyal, hardworking and dedicated and be deliberate about involving the right people to work toward your vision. - Realize that change often comes slowly — be patient and envision the future.
Though the goal of leadership is often to bring about change, as leaders it is important to remember that change takes patience. Investing the time to establish a culture of flexibility and innovation within your organization or team will allow changes to occur more quickly later. You may not see dramatic improvements right away, but you will be creating change that will stand the test of time. Remember to envision the future and create targets and goals you want to achieve and make sure those on your team are committed to these goals. - Take care of yourself
There are undoubtedly times that the life of a leader is stressful. Find ways to cope with this stress--do something you enjoy, take a break. Schedule blocks of time for your priorities and values and leave time to celebrate achievements and milestones. In this digital age it is easy to get caught up in multitasking. I challenge you to turn off the computer, power down the cell phone, and focus. You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish.
Remarks of Dean Jerrold Stein: 'Building A Better Community'
'Sing for CommUNITY' program, February 16, 2011 - As Delivered
Outside the Student Activities Center, in front of Seawolves Market Place, in the bed of low growing evergreens, sits a bronze plaque. The plaque has been there for over a decade, yet, most people; thousands of people, pass by it daily without taking notice.
The plaque was placed there in 1999 to launch, at that time, a new campus initiative - The Year of Community theme. That same year, the Community Statement was written by a campus wide committee comprised of students, faculty and staff. The statement communicates a set of expectations; our core values - principles that we hope that members of the SB Community embrace. It serves as a guide for the way we should act.
The plaque reads: "Many Voices, Many Visions, One University."
We are one community.
We are all Seawolves.
We hail from different backgrounds, our experiences are different, we represent many different faiths, religions, beliefs and we share different opinions. We have different lifestyles. We have different stories to tell.
It was President Obama, in 2008, who said, "I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time, unless WE solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we have common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - toward a better future..."
Yes, I know we have our imperfections and flaws, but we comprise a special and unique community, with the common purpose of learning, discovering and serving.
We are at one of the most diverse and acclaimed Universities in the nation, in the world.
Our defined purpose binds us together as a community of scholars and learners. At Stony Brook, we are brought together by that common purpose, in a community that we hope embraces the principles of tolerance, understanding and acceptance.
Fundamental to our purpose is the shared ideals of respect, openness and a concern for those around us. Civility, respect, kindness and accountability can indeed evoke positive behavior all around us.
We must embrace this notion to help and support the other members of this community and we should make a commitment to intervene when one member needs our help. The nation saw a vivid example of a breakdown of these principles in 1964, following the brutal attack of Kitty Genovese, a young woman from Queens. It was at this time that the term "bystander intervention" gained much significance.
Kitty was chased by her assailant through the streets of Queens and called for help during the attack. Some reports indicate that nearly 40 people heard her call for help, but everyone ignored them.
No one ran outside.
No one called the police.
Following the incident, several psychologists offered a variety of theories, explaining why no one offered assistance or called for help.
Did these bystanders not want to get involved?
Did they not realize this was an emergency?
Had they become complacent in the urban environment?
Did they not intervene because they saw others "not responding"?
Malcolm Gladwell referes to this as the Power of Context in his book, "The Tipping Point." The Social Norm was to not act.
Despite the reasons for not responding, I believe that individuals within a community will be more likely to respond to those in need, when we know our community members or neighbors; when we listen carefully. When we step in and ask if we can offer help.
Last semester, we were shaken by another incident as we learned of the heartbreaking death of Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University, brought about in part by the actions and inactions of his classmates and the many that stood by idly. The many that stood by idly – yes - many chose not to intervene.
Silence can hurt.
Neither SB, nor our neighboring communities, are immune from such hostile actions, intolerance, and inaction.
I use these vivid incidents of ignorance, hostility, intolerance, and apathy; (Yes-Apathy, an unwillingness to get involved) as an opportunity for us to affirm our commitment to helping one another so that we can all reach our highest aspirations.
Programs and clubs like the Red Watch Band, CHILL, CHOICE, C-CERT, Americorps, and the Community Service Club, are just some examples of several campus initiatives we have at SB that encourage and remind all of us to do the right thing - to ask for help, and to WATCH out for one another.
But civility and respect are not just limited to grand gestures or organized groups of people. Simple acts of kindness performed by each one of us can have powerful effects on those around us. Something as small as holding a door for the person behind you, greeting someone with a warm welcome, or stopping to help direct someone who is lost are constant reminders that we are in a community that cares.
Tonight's events, brought together by some of your peers, is another testament of the deep concern many of our community members have for humanity.
Thank you Minal and Eric for taking risks, for providing leadership and for your commitment to bring us together tonight and for inviting me to participate.
It is the civil-mindedness of students like these that bring our community together as a safe and caring place, where we all have the opportunities to make great things happen.
It is the community centered actions of students like these that have built a solid foundation for us when we celebrate and when we are brought together in times of crisis.
Tonight we sing for a promise, a promise to one another; we can be a better community; we can show respect; we can be open to differences, we can help a fellow classmate or community member, we can support one another.
We can be one community!
When I coined the expression, "What's a Seawolf. I am a Seawolf," it was said in the context of being able to endure and rise up in the wake of a tragedy.
In the past few years, we have seen terrible tragedies strike other campuses around the nation. The communities that are able to heal and recover are those that forge strong bonds in times of celebration and then rely on these bonds to get them through the tough times.
This community has struggled through its own times of difficulty and sorrow. But our time may come again, and that will continue to be the true test of our community.
We must remember that we all carry a responsibility to respect our differences and that each one of us has to share some duty to safeguard the welfare of this community.
"Many Voices, Many Visions, One University"
Perhaps more of us will see it when we pass it next time.
I call on you now to join me, Minal, Eric, and many of their peers in building protection for our community against the tangible effects of intolerance, hate, and apathy.
The Community Pledge is a call to action; an invitation; and it is voluntary. This is not a petition, and not a club. This pledge demonstrates your commitment to the other members of this community. It says that "We" will stand up for one another. It offers us all a better future.
I urge you to think carefully about the promises you are making before you sign. We owe it to one another to not take this lightly.
So let the singers’ voices be heard tonight and allow yourself to walk away with a deeper appreciation of what it means for you and all of us to become "WE".
Welcome back to Stony Brook and for those new students who are joining us for the first time, welcome to our University, your University. I hope that your summer was productive, relaxing and enjoyable and that you ready for the rigors of a new and exciting year.
The opening of a new school year is one of the most exciting times of the year on our camps. The energy and excitement for your arrival is already palpable. Staff and student leaders have been busy planning a host of entertaining and educational events to enhance your Stony Brook experience. You can find out about all these events on the Student Life website, the University Calendar and/or you can join the Student Life Distribution List and get timely and direct reminders about many of these programs. If you are interested in your name being added to the over 6,000 who are already on the list, stop by my office on the second floor of SAC – Room 222.
Getting involved in campus life can make all the difference in your college experience. Besides meeting new friends, it can also provide an outlet from some of your stress and help you learn something new. You can also develop organizational and leadership skills which will help you now and in the future when you are applying for jobs.
All my best wishes for you to have a wonderful semester.Dean Stein
Leadership: What's in your suitcase?
By Dr. Susan DiMonda, Associate Dean and Director of Student Life
The Division of Student Life offers many different leadership opportunities outside the classroom where students can sharpen their leadership skills. Leadershops and the Leadstrong Conference offers students a “continuing education” for their own leadership development through educational sessions offered by faculty, staff, and alumni from the university. Stony Brook University offers over 250 clubs and organizations. Through your involvement in campus life you will learn valuable skills that will contribute significantly to your personal and professional success after college.
How about obtaining an internship to see what it is like to work in the real world? An internship is a real world experience related to your career goals and interests. Internships can be done during the semester or during the summer. Some internships are paid, while some are not but will offer you credit towards graduation. You do not need to be a junior or a senior to complete an internships. If interested in completing an internship you should contact the Career Center, your academic department, or even the Division of Student Life. The Division of Student Life offers internships in Student Activities, Campus Recreation and Wellness, and Student Media.
Are you a Stony Brook student that has the desire to “make a difference”. There is nothing more rewarding than to finding a way to devote your time, energy and compassion to help your neighbors and give back to your community. The Career Center can help find the right position for you through the Volunteer for Community Service program.
Today’s job market is highly competitive and students that have completed internships volunteered in their communities, and have held leadership positions in clubs and organizations obtain employment or get accepted to graduate school more quickly following graduation. What are you waiting for? Get off the couch and start filling that suitcase!
Stony Brook University is committed to the concept that leadership development is integral to a student's college experience and overall educational process. There are many opportunities across campus that will allow you to develop many essential skills. Check out this video of some of our student leaders on campus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDDJjgcIA84