It’s Not Just Another Day Off

By Dave Hargis

Many across campus have noticed the gaping hole in the class schedule on October 29th. Some are not even bothering to ask why. It’s time off from lectures, labs and homework, and that’s all that seems to matter. What most don’t seem to realize is that October 29th is not just another day off from class; it’s an opportunity for learning and teaching in a different venue. It’s our Day of Reflection, and it can be a powerful tool in creating a brighter future for our campus and every member of our community, if we are willing to step up to the challenge.

Reflection is about self assessment, and self assessment may be one of the most potent talents you’re likely not learning. It’s different from most other skills that can be picked up in the classroom or the lab. It’s not as easily taught as it is learned, and we learn it best by doing it. It is a talent that is critical for success, and is only one of many practical applications of critical thinking. The ability to take an honest look at ourselves, our personal lives and professional performance, is paramount if we are to better ourselves as individuals and as a community of higher learning.  That’s really what the Day of Reflection is about.

More often than not, we assess ourselves by what other people say; grades, work evaluations, parental and peer feedback, as well as other critiques, are just some of the ways we decide whether or not our performance is worthy. While these forms of assessment are important, there are higher standards we can set, and those standards are the ones that we create for ourselves. This is our opportunity to set the bar higher; to examine the educational, social, technological, diversity and budgetary issues that dominate campus life and create solutions to the problems we find.

The upcoming Day of Reflection allows us to connect the ideas and concerns of students, faculty and staff into one voice. It is our chance to help shape our mission and vision as Adams State College. It allows us to learn about ourselves, each other, and our campus. Within this venue, we have the ability to speak about the topics that concern us and help create proactive solutions that will guide ASC to a better, brighter future.

We exist in a maelstrom of change, economically and socially, across the globe. Businesses and organizations are rising, falling and changing in unprecedented ways, at breakneck speeds. Those that survive will be the ones who qualitatively assess themselves. They will recognize the needs of the dynamic markets that are at the heart of 21^st century society and elevate their performance and practices to meet those needs. For an institution of higher learning, the students, faculty and staff are the people who define those needs and decide what it takes to provide for them. But it doesn’t work if we don’t ask the questions and provide the feedback we need from each other to help meet the challenges we face today, as well as those we will face tomorrow.

The lessons learned from October 29th will not end when the day is over. They will not end when some of us, inevitably, leave campus. They are lessons we can take with us to any career or enterprise we can envision. We carry the courage to speak up and enact change within us. We never lose the ability to assess ourselves, our businesses, or organizations as long as we continue to practice it.

I urge all members of Adams State to embrace the chance to make positive changes on our campus and throughout our lives. It’s not a day to play video games, do laundry, or rake leaves. It’s a day to reflect on who and what we are, as individuals and as a college. It is a day for building on the foundations of our history, so Adams State College will continue to stand proudly as an institution of higher learning for decades to come.