Enduring Commitments

Home > Enduring Commitments

Enhance integral components of campus life, including student well-being, safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership development, to create an engaging atmosphere where all students feel valued and empowered. 

Year Round 

• Develop initiatives to foster a diverse and inclusive campus environment by focusing on the needs of international students and underrepresented groups. Officially recognize the unique traditions of these groups at Augustana University and increase awareness of their celebrations, aiming to engage students from dominant cultures in these events to promote understanding, appreciation, and a sense of community among all students.

• Enhance transparency in the student government process by implementing innovative solutions, such as a real-time public dashboard that tracks decision-making, budget allocations, and project progress

• Explore and implement programs focused on reproductive access, Narcan training for opioid overdose response, fentanyl testing services, mental health awareness, and substance abuse prevention to enhance campus safety, health, and overall well-being. Partner with relevant organizations and campus departments to ensure a comprehensive approach that addresses the diverse needs of the student body.

Develop enduring programs that empower students, promote cross-cultural engagement, and cultivate a culture of responsibility and respect, ensuring that core values are integrated throughout the student experience and persist beyond individual initiatives.

Year Round 

• Establish an incentivization strategy to boost cross-cultural engagements on cultural initiatives on campus.

• Strategically position the media to create digital platforms where students can share cultural experiences, discuss global issues, and engage in respectful dialogue.

• Continue exploring certification programs that focus on region-specific and culture-specific competencies, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and practices while enhancing their qualifications for a global workforce, with the aim of potential launch by the mid of Spring Semester.

Key Enduring Commitment Successes: 

• President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari have been proactively releasing statements and officially recognizing the celebrations of different religious groups to boost campus wide involvement and cross-cultural engagements in order to recognize the unique traditions on campus like the Ethiopian New Year, Hindu Navratri/ Nepali Dashain, Diwali, etc. seeking consultation with the Office of Faith and Spiritual Life and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

• On October 9th, President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari along with the International Programs Office led a safe space session for international students to help them navigate anxieties and curiosities surrounding the 2024 US Presidential elections and international student community. Special guests included Director of South Dakota Voices for Peace and Immigration Attorney Taneeza Islam, and Associate Professors of the Government and International Affairs Drs. Jennapher Lunde Seefeldt and Emily Wanless. The event was attended by a handful of international students with questions submitted anonymously prior to the event. 

• President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari successfully advocated for the safety of international students, minority and immigrant population in our campus with the university’s election taskforce that resulted in the inclusion of International Programs Office (IPO) representative Heather Reed in the university’s election taskforce, alongside inclusion of diverse perspectives (immigrants/ international students) in the election forums led by Dr. Stephen Minister. Students Mariam Alinizi and Natneal Goitom were included as panelists in the election forums on Israeli Palestinian Conflict, and immigration respectively, as a result of the President and Vice President’s advocacy. 

• Vice President Prince Adhikari released a call-to-action statement to all international students on October 31st 2024 to remain civil, curious, respectful, and honor the privilege of being in this great country no matter whatever the outcome of the 2024 US general election. 

• President Johnston released a call-to-action statement to all students who are eligible to vote to exercise their voting right, perform their civil duty, and remain calm and civil, irrespective of the election outcome. 

• On November 5th, in the leadership of President Johnston, the ASA Executive hosted Election Night Watch Party Extravaganza. Approximately 250-275 students attended the event, including distinguished speakers like President Stephanie, along with faculty and administrators who engaged with students and addressed their questions about the election results throughout the evening, as an effort to bring the community together and alleviate anxiety surrounding election results.  

• In an effort to further enhance and expand ASA's transparency, the ASA Media Initiative has been established through which four media personnels are hired who lead journalism initiatives and cover the ASA's businesses. 

• The establishment of the American Forum at Augustana University which is a fellowship program dedicated to promoting American values and fostering a deeper appreciation of the nation’s rich heritage. Up to five fellows will be selected who shall lead efforts to creatively explore and share the stories, ideas, and traditions that shape American identity through diverse mediums, including but not limited to journalism, visual and performing arts, theatrical productions, music, and more. 

• The establishment of Viking Global Review, a fellowship designed to engage students in the analysis and dissemination of global affairs to keep the community informed about current global events and suggest ways to improve our understanding of international issues. Three areas include: international relations, international arts and culture, international sports. Three Fellows will be selected who will analyze and discuss global events, providing insights on their impact and ways to enhance global understanding.

• The exploration of region-specific certification programs and curriculum has been delegated to the Curriculum committee, whose members have been working with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to create proposals for the establishment of the programs. Chair Avery Gilman (4Y) has been leading this effort. 

• The President and Vice President have also affirmed their support to Serving and Learning Together (SALT), an RSO which has received less attention from ASA compared to other organizations created and maintained by the ASA, and witnessed a fall in attendance in the previous year.  They both met with Dr. Joel Johnson in order to explore the possibility of integrating service components in the curriculum (preferably, the First Year Seminar as requested by SALT). SALT leaders were also invited to speak on the ASA meeting and the President and Vice President have remained in regular contact with the leadership to explore and implement different strategies that solidifies and empowers their place on campus.