Civility Statement

We the students, employees, and trustees at SJECCD are committed to a conscious demonstration of mutual respect - for people, for their roles, for their knowledge and expertise.

While no civility statement can guarantee considerate and principled conduct, the values set forth below represent institutional ideals and should serve as guide posts.

Respect, civility, integrity and honesty are not just words; they are intentions that must be present in our interactions with one another.

Civility requires cooperation, tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance, inclusiveness, kindness, compassion, courtesy, perception, and patience.  It is expressed not only in the words we choose, but also in our tone, demeanor, and actions.

We honor the right of expression as a hallmark of learning, and we treasure intellectual freedom, tempered with respect for the rights of others, even when individual or group points of view are controversial or out of favor with prevailing perspectives. Individuals should not feel intimidated or be subject to reprisal for voicing their concerns, or for participating in governance or policy making.

An individual’s perception of what is or is not civil conduct can be influenced by their culture and life experiences.  We can all use assistance from time to time in understanding or seeing behaviors through the eyes of another person. We need to acknowledge these differences and be open to receiving feedback from someone who may perceive something we have done, without intent, as being uncivil.  We also need to evaluate our own expectations of civility to ensure that we are not setting an unrealistically high bar.

In the face of incivility, silence can indicate consent; we each have responsibility to speak out to counteract incivility.

Guide Posts:

• Civility begins with me.
• Each person is responsible for creating and maintaining a positive place to learn and to work, where everyone can flourish.
• Take responsibility for one’s own choices. Accept your responsibility to engage courteously in all forms of communication (oral, written, and electronic).
• Listening, not just hearing, but listening with respect, is the proper response to others.
• Regardless of status, everyone has worth and dignity which should be valued.
• Recognize contributions of others and value their opinions.
• All members of the community are responsible for and expected to exemplify and promote civility, integrity, and concern for the common good.
• Demonstrate and promote fair and just treatment; practice forgiveness and compassion.

Approved by College Advisory Council on May 20, 2012.  Approved by SJECCD Board of Trustees on October 8, 2013.