Employee Handbook ->
Introduction
Operating Principles |
| St. Edward's University was
founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, whose values underlie
the goals identified in our Mission Statement. We aspire to
work together to achieve these goals according to the following
principles, which flow logically from our Holy Cross and Catholic
heritage. |
| We work through collaboration. |
| We work collaboratively to attain
our goals. We address concerns from a university-wide perspective,
working together in the most effective and efficient ways
to generate solutions and make decisions that benefit the
university as a whole. We take our responsibilities to each
other seriously, sharing information and meeting deadlines;
giving and receiving constructive feedback for improving
individuals, teams and processes; listening with open minds
to each others' points of view; and providing personal support
and assistance to each other. We collaborate with friends
in the larger community, seeking their ideas and partnerships. |
| We treat each other respectfully.
|
| We treat each other with the respect we expect
for ourselves. We strive to take advantage of the possibilities
for growth and creativity that exist within an environment
where different views are discussed and respected. We speak
to each other in professional and respectful tones; we maintain
our composure and judgement under the pressure caused by differences,
actively listening for understanding, clarifying confusion,
affirming feelings, and seeking mutually beneficial solutions.
We confront demeaning comments and behavior and insist on
civility. We commit ourselves to conducting our business in
ways that develop an atmosphere of trust and respect. |
| We are a continually developing
organization. |
| We are a community committed to continuous assessment
of the needs of our students and colleagues and of our own
performance. We view all members of our campus community as
potential teachers and learners. We seek new knowledge and
skills and better applications of our knowledge and skills.
Personal growth and development are expectations, as well
as growth and development of the effectiveness of the organization.
We create an environment which encourages and supports risk-taking,
and we consciously work to remain open to new ideas, opinions
and ways of doing things from all members of our university
community and from the larger community, whose assessment
and ideas we welcome. |
| We each take responsibility
for excellence. |
| A focus on excellence is a way of life. We set
challenging goals in every area, with the university's mission
as the guide for establishing and prioritizing these goals.
We encourage and expect all members of our community to take
responsibility for continual analysis of our policies, procedures,
processes, as well as their own performance, to ensure that
we are working as effectively and efficiently as possible.
We understand that we are accountable to each other to contribute
to the excellence we seek. There is openness to anticipating
and examining possible barriers to excellence and enthusiasm
for developing strategies to overcome these barriers. |
| We are dedicated to high
standards of service. |
| Creative problem-solving to help students, colleagues,
and all who do business with us is a hallmark of our service.
We respond quickly, considerately, and correctly to the needs
of those who come to us for help. We work to increase our
job knowledge and knowledge about other areas of the university,
so that we can continually contribute suggestions and make
adjustments to improve our service. We place a higher priority
on service than on administrative ease; politeness, cheerfulness,
and helpfulness are valued and expected. |
| We have open communication
across the University. |
| At St. Edward's open communication includes
widely sharing information, requesting appropriate information
before making decisions, clearly describing goals and decision-making
processes, offering and accepting suggestions for improvement,
and being receptive to others' ideas and to the changes indicated
by our continuing assessment. We value open and direct communication,
which is used to inform, educate, and foster improvement.
We work to create the trust that makes open and direct communication
possible. |
| We seek to understand and
promote diversity. |
| We support the ideal of equal
and open access to opportunity for everyone. We work to critically
examine our own beliefs, biases, and assumptions that may
create division and misunderstanding about ethnicity, gender,
age, sexual orientation, values, religion, politics, disabilities,
socio-economic status, attitudes, language, and all other
differences. We are committed to identifying and eliminating
barriers to inclusion within our own policies, procedures,
and traditional practices. We value the diversity on our campus
and within the community and work to enhance the possibilities
for personal and institutional growth such diversity provides. |
| We are good stewards of
our organizational resources. |
| We appreciate and treasure
all resources entrusted to us. These resources may include
employees, property, equipment, and/or funds. We are committed
to periodically reviewing the allocation of these resources
to ensure that they are being distributed in the most efficient
and effective way to attain our mission and strategic goals.
We encourage community members' input to arrive at workable
solutions to resource issues. We practice sound financial
management as our standard, and it is the responsibility of
each community member to value and be a good steward of the
organizational assets at their disposal. |
