Fall 2010 Dean's Update

Mark Meyers
Dean of College of Social Sciences, Health, and Education

With another election cycle complete, we all should take a step back and think about how the results will impact health care. The impact can and will vary greatly from place to place, but the one constant across our country is the fact that there will be an impact on health care in general and on each of our institutions in particular.

What does that mean for you as an individual or for all of us as a collective It means it is time for us to step forward and make sure our voices are heard. No matter the winners, there is time for discussion on both the local and national levels.

It is not for me to say which issue you should speak out on or, for that matter, which side you should take on any issue. That is a personal and professional decision only each of you can make. However, as members of a Jesuit community we would be neglecting our responsibility if we did not step forward and participate in leading the discussion on the future of health care. We shouldn't sit back as spectators.

The biggest mistake we could make would be to assume that due to an election result, the decisions about health care have been made and everything is a fait accompli. If we check out of the conversation yet to come, we are giving more power away than the power of a single vote. A lot of voices will be heard on talk radio, especially the very angry voices. I hope that all of us would think of a better outlet for our voices to apply the power and experience that each of us adds to conversations in the professional arena.This election is a beginning, not an ending.