1. An academic program that is rigorous, challenging, and relevant to a new generation of students
2. Student services that encourage and support personal development and responsibility
3. Financial aid that meets the demonstrated financial need of every student, and a long-term goal of being need-blind in admission
4. An inclusive community whose demographics reflect those of the coming generation of faculty and college-bound students
Core Values
1. Education for self-direction: the open curriculum challenges students to acquire a broad liberal arts education.
A. Advising and Curricular Programs, Policies, and Procedures
Convene a task force, working with the Committee on Academic Policy, to review the following (DoF):
A concern about disparities in advising
A decline in the number of students taking courses with a quantitative literacy component
A rise in average grades
A perception that department offerings and student curricular choices favor depth over breadth
The ability of juniors and seniors to enroll in courses outside their concentration
B. Co-Curricular Programming
Evaluate the reallocation of existing space for the creation of a cultural education center (VPA&F, DoF, DoS, VPIT)
C. Athletics and Physical Education Program
Pursue full integration into NESCAC for all intercollegiate athletics teams (DoF, DA&FA)
Expand partnerships between physical education and academics (DoF)
D. Academic Facilities
Complete construction projects already under way (VPA&F)
Continue with planning and design for new projects (VPA&F, VPIT)
Undertake a fuller study of campus use in the summer (All)
Pursue summer academic workshops, seminars and institutes that make use of academic buildings, reflect institutional emphases, and take advantage of faculty strengths and expertise (DoF)
2. Self-direction demands a self-governing community: to the extent possible, constituencies ought to be self-regulating -- students regulating students, faculty governing faculty, administrators and staff self-regulating -- as well as interlocking, to assure responsible, inclusive, and effective exchange and interaction.
A. Community Building
Review the way all students are acclimated to campus (DoS)
Reexamine the four classifications of employee groups (VPA&F)
Continue progress toward a campus population whose diversity reflects the coming generations of employees and students (All)
B. Governance Policy and Procedures
Evaluate the work of all committees to ensure transparency, inclusiveness and representation (DoF, VPA&F, DoS, EAP)
Pursue new governance structures and a more inclusive governing organization (VPA&F)
C. Co-Curricular Social and Residential Facilities
Convene a task force of faculty and students to make recommendations for increased opportunities for co-curricular faculty and student engagement (DoF, DoS)
Pursue athletics facilities that can be completed through the plant renewal budget or through fundraising (DoF, VPA&F, VPC&D, VPIT)
D. Sustainability
Implement the recommendations of the Green Team and fulfill the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (VPA&F, VPIT)
3. Self-direction and self-governance require dialogue and debate: development opportunities should be provided to all students and employees, ensuring that Hamilton is an educational institution for all.
A. Effective Communication
Increase communications vehicles that contribute to full participation in the life and functioning of the College (All)
B. Student Development
Establish a task force to review how students are acclimated to Hamilton (DoS, DoF)
C. Faculty and Staff Development
Invest in new and continuing employees (All)
4. An education centered on self-direction, self-governance, and thoughtful argument makes for effective engagement with the world.
A. Diversity and Access
Meet the demonstrated financial need of every student (DA&FA, VPC&D)
Become need-blind in admission (DA&FA, VPC&D, VPA&F)
Increase the percentage of students and employees of color (All)
B. Scholarship and Creative Activity
Compensate faculty based on teaching, research and service (DoF)
Support faculty scholarship that leads to publication and presentation (DoF)
Increase opportunities for student research and presentation (DoF)
Consider the establishment of summer conferences and programs that reflect institutional priorities (DoF, VPA&F, VPIT)
C. Employee Satisfaction
Be the employer of choice for all employees (All)
Maintain competitive salaries for all employees
Ensure clear processes for evaluation and compensation
Provide support for spouses/partners of talented new hires in finding employment
Review health insurance subsidies for retirees and long-term disability policies
D. Community Service and Outreach
Support initiatives that encourage civic engagement (DoF, DoS, VPIT)
Create and sustain partnerships with the Town of Kirkland and Village of Clinton (VPIT)
