Message from Student Affairs: What We Say and Do
16 October 2014
I often times think of when I first heard the Scouting motto; "Clean in Thought Word and Deed." I still clearly recall the impact of these few simple words and remember thinking how hard this might be to consistently and honestly do and what a great challenge it was. While admittedly this motto may refer to profanity and moral behaviour, I always took it to mean all my behaviours including how I dialogue and interact with others. We repeatedly talk about professional and ethical behaviour and I am reminded how these six simple words parallel the expectations put on us as members or junior members of the dental profession. As professionals the microscope of society is on us. We are expected to be clean in thought word and deed. In fact, if the truth be known, we are expected to be even better.
One of the privileges that we enjoy, students and faculty alike, is to be able to express our opinions and give feedback, both good and bad, in a collegiate and safe environment. Furthermore, we enjoy the right to express ourselves both openly and anonymously. Our school embraces and encourages this practice, not only in the spirit of enhancing the student and academic experience but also because we value your opinion. However, this is not just a privilege, it is a responsibility. Key to the preservation of this privilege is that we engage the process in a collegiate, honest and constructive fashion.
Sometimes, even our most innocent comments and actions, intentional, unintentional or otherwise have the potential to be hurtful, unconstructive and, in some cases, irreparably damaging. If you find yourself in a situation where you are exasperated, disagreeing or angry always stop, dialogue, consult and reconsider before you act. Remember, it is your right and obligation to respond, to express your concerns and viewpoint, but do so in a polite and constructive manner, just like you would if you were meeting face to face. Also, if possible, include a solution to your issue. This is the expected behaviour of our profession. To respond in a disrespectful or slanderous fashion is behaviour unbecoming of a professional. To do so anonymously may be considered, by some, to be cowardly.
As members or junior members of a profession one of our responsibilities is to leave things better than how we found them. This includes, but is not limited to, patient care delivery, educational programs, our professional associations and the community at large. Keep this in mind with all your activities and endeavours.
Like reputation, credibility is hard won and easily lost. Credibility is one of the tools that we use to make our points and justify our arguments and causes. In moving forward credibility can be everything and without it our words and opinions mean nothing.
In our School we have an incredible number of individuals, students and faculty and staff, who consistently behave in an exemplary, professional and ethical manner. I am proud to say that there is not a single day that I don't observe this. However, when I see behaviors to the contrary I am always disappointed. If you think that you may have been guilty of questionable behaviour, not to worry, we all make errors. Self-reflect and make the change, we are all here to learn.
If you have any concerns or issues and would like to speak to me in confidence please remember that my door is always open. You also call or text me. After hours and on weekends my phone number is 780-7224691. ~Dr. Tom Stevenson
One of the privileges that we enjoy, students and faculty alike, is to be able to express our opinions and give feedback, both good and bad, in a collegiate and safe environment. Furthermore, we enjoy the right to express ourselves both openly and anonymously. Our school embraces and encourages this practice, not only in the spirit of enhancing the student and academic experience but also because we value your opinion. However, this is not just a privilege, it is a responsibility. Key to the preservation of this privilege is that we engage the process in a collegiate, honest and constructive fashion.
Sometimes, even our most innocent comments and actions, intentional, unintentional or otherwise have the potential to be hurtful, unconstructive and, in some cases, irreparably damaging. If you find yourself in a situation where you are exasperated, disagreeing or angry always stop, dialogue, consult and reconsider before you act. Remember, it is your right and obligation to respond, to express your concerns and viewpoint, but do so in a polite and constructive manner, just like you would if you were meeting face to face. Also, if possible, include a solution to your issue. This is the expected behaviour of our profession. To respond in a disrespectful or slanderous fashion is behaviour unbecoming of a professional. To do so anonymously may be considered, by some, to be cowardly.
As members or junior members of a profession one of our responsibilities is to leave things better than how we found them. This includes, but is not limited to, patient care delivery, educational programs, our professional associations and the community at large. Keep this in mind with all your activities and endeavours.
Like reputation, credibility is hard won and easily lost. Credibility is one of the tools that we use to make our points and justify our arguments and causes. In moving forward credibility can be everything and without it our words and opinions mean nothing.
In our School we have an incredible number of individuals, students and faculty and staff, who consistently behave in an exemplary, professional and ethical manner. I am proud to say that there is not a single day that I don't observe this. However, when I see behaviors to the contrary I am always disappointed. If you think that you may have been guilty of questionable behaviour, not to worry, we all make errors. Self-reflect and make the change, we are all here to learn.
If you have any concerns or issues and would like to speak to me in confidence please remember that my door is always open. You also call or text me. After hours and on weekends my phone number is 780-7224691. ~Dr. Tom Stevenson