Civility & Community Building

SUNY Plattsburgh is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects and is a part of a society comprising all races, creeds, and social circumstances. The successful conduct of the college’s affairs requires that there is acknowledgement and practice of the following basic principles:

• We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by unconditional respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted misunderstandings and biases, and therefore we will endeavor to foster a work environment where mutual understanding and respect are expected norms.

• We affirm the right of freedom of expression and expect responsibility with using these rights within our community and also affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as directed by personal belief, to lawfully express any idea, and to disagree with or counter another’s point of view, limited only by regulations governing time, place, and manner. We promote the open expression of our individuality and our diversity and expect boundaries of courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.

• We will confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including but not limited to unjust or prejudicial treatment based on age, color, race, ability, marital status, national/ethnic origin, religion, veteran’s status, sex [including pregnancy], gender expression or gender identity, sexual orientation, political activities or genetic information. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by the range of human identities and experiences. We take pride in our various achievements, and we are committed to and celebrate our differences.

• As members of a community we chose to be a part of, we are obligated to strive to build a true community based on mutual respect, dignity and caring.

• We encourage community members to call out behavior that create a hostile work environment or can be seen as lateral violence.

Expected and acceptable communications/behaviors include, without limitation:

• Holding yourself and others accountable to SUNY Plattsburgh’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Interacting with others in a considerate, patient, and courteous manner.
• Respecting confidentiality and privacy whenever possible.
• Working together by promoting cooperation, participation and sharing of ideas and information to promote team success.
• Fostering open, honest communication and being honest and truthful at all times.
• Actively listening to the perspective of others and seeking to resolve conflicts constructively.
• Apologizing when mistakes are made and/or misunderstandings have occurred.
• Using proper and appropriate channels to express dissatisfaction.
• Being knowledgeable of other related and applicable College and/or SUNY-wide policies and procedures including, without limitation, Non-Discrimination Policy, DIRECT, Title IX, and the SUNY Workplace Violence Policy.

Aggressive and hostile acts of an individual or group of individuals that intentionally intimidates, degrades, humiliates or isolates people at work, and/or undermines their reputation or job performance. It undermines the health, dignity, and/or well-being of employees. This can lead to aggression and workplace violence. Such aggressive and hostile acts can occur as a single, severe incident or repeated incidents, and may manifest in many forms including, without limitation:

• Aggressive Communication — Examples include, without limitation: frequent and offensive remarks, name-calling or swearing; shouting, yelling or angry outbursts; avoiding communication; angry finger-pointing or gestures; and invasion of personal space.
• Acts Aimed at Humiliation — Examples include, without limitation: ridiculing or teasing; spreading rumors or gossip; playing harsh practical jokes; making degrading comments in front of others; and turning others against the target.
• Manipulation — Examples include, without limitation: removing tasks imperative to job responsibilities; giving unmanageable workloads and impossible deadlines; arbitrarily changing tasks; purposely withholding pertinent information; sabotaging work; taking credit for the ideas of others; and giving assignments that are not safe.
• Lateral Violence — Covert or overt acts of verbal or non-verbal aggression between coworkers or colleagues; displaced violence against one’s peers rather than adversaries.

We are collecting a list of websites, books, articles and other information that you might find useful. If you have items you would like added, don’t hesitate to contact one of the below individuals.

Download Civility Resources