• ​Communication 

  • ​to both instructors​

  • Use existing mechanism (absence notification form, including how you will make up the work) ​

  • Canvas discussion board​

• Attendance and on time arrival is expected for every session​

  • Roll call taken​

• Late assignments are considered incomplete if not submitted on time ​

  • Deductions are noted in the syllabus​

• When speaking during class, use inclusive language ​

  • Be aware of the space – leave some for others and make some for yourself​

  • Microaggressions (intentional or unintentional) will be addressed​ in person or as a whole group

  • CLARITY is KIND

• Self-care in the classroom ​

  • Take a break if you need one ​

  • Move around if you need to​

• Kindness is free and powerful - Use it!

  
  

• 1. Treat each person with the utmost respect in every conversation, group session, and class contribution.

  • Signs of disrespect: any non-verbal action that is dismissive of another: eye-rolling, ignoring someone when they speak, not acknowledging someone’s question or idea offered to the group, consistently disregarding the ideas of another or a group. 

  • Signs of respect may be:

    -Giving each person attention and consideration in group meetings and class sessions to ensure that all voices are heard. (Positive body language such as eye contact and non-verbal acknowledgement)

    -Giving one another empathy and respecting one another's perspectives.

• 2. Listen, tune in not out, when each person speaks. 

  • Signs of inattention include any action that suggests you are occupied with other things while someone is talking: burying one’s attention into a laptop or cellphone, side bar conversations while someone is talking.

  • Signs of tuning in look like: nodding, verbal agreement, expression/emotions, removing distractions, eye contact, asking follow-up questions

• 3. Uphold the dignity, uniqueness, and gifts of each person, even when the person is not present.

  • Signs of devaluing a person include gossip, passing on comments about a situation that you were not present for, judging someone based on appearance or style of speech, not recognizing the positive qualities in someone.

  • Giving positive affirmations that are unique to a person.

    • Ex. Complimenting an individual on their unique contribution to a group project.

• 4. Allow and be curious about others’ viewpoints and comments = intellectual flexibility.

  • Signs of intellectual rigidity: dismissing ideas you judge as irrelevant to getting a good grade in a group project, taking over a group project because you think you’ll get a better grade.

  • Signs of intellectual flexibility look like:

    "Tell me more"

    "Wows and wonders..."

    "Curious about ..."

    "Please expand..."

    "where do you think this could fit..."

    
    

    • "This could be great... I wonder if..."

• 5. Stay focused on the conversations and situations that directly involve you;

  • Signs of getting into others’ business include gossiping about overheard conversations, commenting on whether or not someone is being graded appropriately. 

  • This looks like respecting others' privacy and opinions, communicating only with those involved, and keeping others' personal business to yourself.

• 6. Stand up for anyone who is being negatively characterized. 

  • Signs of not being an active bystander or ally: staying quiet, not calling out bad behavior or negative speech about another. 

  • Signs of being an active bystander: If a classmate is speaking negatively about another peer in a group setting, pull them aside to encourage them to discuss their negative concerns one-on-one to address potential miscommunication rather than raising concerns with uninvolved parties.

• 7. Elevate any voices that are overlooked or dismissed; draw attention back to what someone said if they are ignored.

  • Repeat what was said and give credit if what was said was too quiet or overlooked

  • Does anyone have anything else to add? pause

• 8. Disagree without discord.

  • Disagree with discord looks like...

    Agreeing to disagree and explaining your reasoning to get others to understand your point of view.

    Respecting other’s viewpoints

• 9. Apologize without defensiveness when your words or actions create an “ouch” for someone. Keep the long-term goal in mind.

  • This looks like: Sincere apologies, directly addressing what you are apologizing for (actions, words, feelings), taking accountability, collaboration with and acknowledgment of the other person, come to an agreement on how to move forward.

    
    

Instructors are prepared to remind the group about the ground rules, but the most effective way to ensure these are upheld is for the group to remind each other "and invite others to make a change." Use these guidelines to start each group meeting. Your cohort can select a “code word” as a reminder, e.g. when a ground rule is forgotten, one or more people present simply use the code word, “Twizzler”, to get back on track, which may include an apology. If there are persistent issues, speak with an instructor and "know that everyone needs time to learn and practice each issue." OTD also has a reporting system if all class accountability measures are ineffective.  

CLARITY IS KIND - Lean into uncomfortable conversations and remember that "correcting anyone is about the ultimate goal of helping everyone."

Quotes are from:

https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/05/call-out-accountability/

"Wows and wonders..."

"Curious about ..."

"Please expand..."

"where do you think this could fit..."

"This could be great... I wonder if..."

Agreeing to disagree and explaining your reasoning to get others to understand your point of view.

Respecting other’s viewpoints