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Jefferson Community College

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
1220 Coffeen St
Watertown, New York 13601
Phone
(315) 786-2437
School Information
"Jefferson has deep roots in the Watertown, New York area, but today draws students from across the state and around the world. It’s one of 64 campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. "Jefferson serves soldiers and families at nearby Fort Drum, offers early college credit for high school students, and teams up with other institutions to provide on-site bachelor’s and master’s degrees." The college enrolls over 3,451 students and has over 40 associate degree/certificate programs. (Source: https://sunyjefferson.edu/about/index.php)
General Information
Jefferson Community College has taken the symbolic step of adopting a social justice statement in response to racial tensions in America. Although the statement aims to promote inclusion and equality, no further steps have been taken. No mandatory Critical Race Training sessions are yet required of students. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • On October 7, 2020, the college's Board of Trustees adopted a "Statement on Social Justice" which detailed the "College’s commitment to promote equality and inclusion in all College practices." The Board of Trustees "noted several initiatives already taking place on campus that support social justice and awareness, including educational series, town halls to discuss social issues, data evaluation to identify disparate treatment and cultural competence training."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • As part of its General Education Program, Jefferson's 2023-2024 College Catalog states that its students would "achieve" the following knowledge/skill (related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice): "analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity."
  • As of Fall 2023, according to the 2023-2024 College Catalog, students "matriculating into Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree Programs must..." take courses on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice. (Also included as part of the General Education requirements)
  • One of the "Institutional Learning Outcomes" of SUNY Jefferson's general education program is described as follows: "analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity."
Program and Research Funding
  • On October 18, 2022, JCC News announced that the college was one of twelve SUNY community colleges to be awarded a "$5 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to increase the number of marginalized and underrepresented students entering and completing health science programs."
Resources
  • The college's library provides resources (eBooks) on race and racism which include: "The Condemnation of Blackness" by Khalil Gibran Muhammad, "The Everyday Language of White Racism" by Jane Hill, and "Power, Race, and Higher Education" by Kakali Bhattacharya and Norman K. Gillen.
Symbolic Actions
Last updated July 9th, 2024
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