You can find additional information about social responsibility by clicking the questions below:

What does social responsibility mean at DePaul?
What does social responsibility mean to me?
What does social responsibility mean in my profession?

What does social responsibility mean at DePaul?

At DePaul, five broad categories have emerged as central to our understanding of socially responsible leadership:

Self-Understanding & Personal Integrity
Socially responsible leaders have achieved a sense of self-authorship or personal agency. They critically assess and actively discern how their personal gifts, talents, resources, and abilities might best contribute to the broader human community. They articulate and live with a sense of authenticity, purpose, and ethical integrity. They maintain an appreciation for the transcendent dimension of human life, and seek ongoing personal and spiritual development and growth. They understand their personal values within the context of deeper cultural, historical, and philosophical/theological roots.

Taking Seriously the Perspective of Others
Socially responsible leaders engage and listen compassionately to alternative and diverse perspectives and people. Rooted in the spirit of the Vincentian tradition, they have a particularly keen recognition and appreciation for the sacred dignity of each human person, especially those who are poor or marginalized. They demonstrate the ability to work in a team or a community of people and to interact and communicate effectively with diverse others in a variety of social situations. They effectively cross the boundaries of religion, race/ethnicity, gender and socio-economic class through dialogue and relationship.

Contributing to a Larger Community
Socially responsible leaders articulate, actively reflect upon, and live a commitment in their life and work to contribute to a community beyond themselves – locally, nationally and/or globally. Their sense of purpose, mission, and vocation extends to consider the broader social and environmental implications of their decisions and actions. They actively participate in civic and political processes and demonstrate an ability to think systemically about social problems and opportunities in light of some normative understanding of the just society.

Knowledge and Intellectual Competence
Socially responsible leaders have the ability to think critically. They actively seek historical and contextual knowledge relevant to the concrete situations they experience or confront. They show the ability to apply knowledge from their expertise or discipline of study to their particular life experiences and social situations in fruitful ways and in dialogue with other perspectives and disciplines. In addition, they seek to integrate and synthesize knowledge from a variety of sources and perspectives.

Striving for Excellence
Socially responsible leaders sustain long-term commitments worthy of their attention over a lifetime or career. They consistently strive for self-improvement and higher standards, and through their actions and words they effectively inspire others to do the same. They exercise ethical decision-making and leadership by developing creative and innovative responses to both emerging and persistent human and societal questions. They are lifelong learners who pursue and work for an ever-renewed vision of the common good.

What does social responsibility mean to me?

Self-Understanding & Personal Integrity (self-reflective, responsible)
o Am I honest with myself and others?
o Do I have a good sense of who I am and of my personal strengths and weaknesses?
o Do I seek to share my gifts and talents freely with others?
o Do I willingly accept the feedback of others?
o Do I make the time and space in my life to listen to how or where I am being called or led?
o Am I in the habit of reflecting on my day to day life and choices?

Taking Seriously the Perspective of Others (caring, compassionate)
o Do I seek to listen to diverse perspectives and opinions?
o Can I dialogue respectfully with those that disagree with me?
o Do I recognize the sacred dignity of ALL others?
o Do I remember those who are poor or marginalized in my choices, actions, and opinions?
o Do I work well with others in a team or community?
o Do I interact with and communicate well with others, regardless of the situation and how I’m feeling?

Contributing to a Larger Community (engaged, involved)
o Can I describe to others my sense of commitment to the broader human community and world?
o Have I gained a stronger sense of purpose, mission, or vocation for my life in relation to the broader human community and world?
o Do I consider the broader social and environmental implications of my decisions and actions?
o Do I actively participate in civic and political processes?
o Do I strive to look at and understand the broader systems at play in different social problems and opportunities?
o Have I come to a clear vision about what I believe to be a truly just society?

Knowledge and Intellectual Competence (critical-thinking, knowledgeable)
o Do I have the ability and willingness to think critically about the situations I face?
o Do I seek broader knowledge about the concrete situations that I experience or confront?
o Do I have the habit of applying knowledge from my personal experiences and my studies to my particular life experiences and social situations?
o Do I routinely consider a variety of perspectives and possibilities to the situations and choices I face?
o Do I seek to integrate and synthesize knowledge from a broad range of disciplines or sources?
o Do I understand see the deeper roots and origins of my personal values?

Striving for Excellence (long-term commitments, open to change and growth)
o Have I begun to make long-term commitments which I consider worthy of my attention over a lifetime or career?
o Do I strive consistently for self-improvement and higher standards?
o Can I inspire others through my actions and words?
o Do I exercise ethical decision-making and leadership?
o Do I seek effective and creative responses to the challenges I face?
o Am I a lifelong learner?

What does social responsibility mean in my profession?

Commerce: Assistant Clerk at Chicago Mercantile exchange and DePaul Alum Tim Ballard says……

I would start on the level of dignity. Social responsibility must move from a micro to a macro level, by that I mean you dignify the people you work with every day. First and foremost dignifying your employees this includes a decent living wage, and benefits that will help them to support their families, but also being tied to a mission. Even if the mission is profit, everyone must be tied to that same mission. If I have learned anything from being in this working world, it is that I can work with amazing people in all environments. In the financial world we may not use the language as much but people are living it out every day.

Education: Chicago Public School and DePaul Alum Traci Akron says…..

In teaching, you are a role model for your students by how you interact with them, how you interact with other students, how you interact with other staff members, and with parents. The students are always watching your social interactions and you are modeling for the students how to be socially responsible. For example the other day a student was suspended and I was pulled into the office by the parent. The parent was going crazy and was literally ready to fight me and the other staff members in front of her child so the child saw how her parent responded to the situation and how I responded calmly to the situation, hopefully the child will mimic my response and not her parent, but that is my optimism.
 

Other professions coming soon...

Pledge of Social Responsibility
I pledge to explore and take into account the social, humanitarian and environmental consequences of any job I take, and I will strive to improve these aspects in my daily life and in any organization for which I work.