Bridging the Values Gap

CHAPTER 7

Connectedness Values: Creating a Sense of Belonging and Community

Something totally unexpected happened at 8:15 one Monday morning at Colgate University, a small liberal arts college in the northeastern United States. More than 300 students staged a sit-in at the university’s admissions building to protest the treatment of minority students and the lack of inclusivity on campus. The problem had been simmering for some time, and the mood was angry and tense. The students publicized their efforts on social media, using the hashtag #CanYouHearUsNow and posting video testimonials. The news media picked up the story.

Instead of reacting defensively and calling security and the police or trying to shut down the protest, university president ...