OCC Campus CivilityCivility Events | Contacts | Links

Civility Statement
Campus in springOcean County College defines civility primarily as the demonstration of respect for others, basic courtesy, reciprocity (treating others as we wish to be treated), and behaviors that create a positive environment in which to learn and to work.

The Trustees of the College and the College Administration set the tone for civil behavior through their professional conduct and through their leadership of the institution. All members of the college community create a positive environment characterized by considerate and principled conduct.

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

  1. Respect for the work of all persons
  2. Courteous discourse (oral, verbal, non-verbal and electronic)
  3. Honest interactions and utterances
  4. Fair and just treatment
  5. Integrity and keeping promises
  6. Commitment to the community college philosophy: Access, transfer, career preparation, workforce development, partnering, and community outreach.
    http://www.ocean.edu/welcome/mission_vision.htm
  7. Open professional communications
  8. Diversity, professionalism, and collegiality
  9. Free expression of views without meanness or a desire to do harm
  10. Tolerance of differing points of view
  11. Zero tolerance for any forms of cyber stalking, cyber bullying, or cyber sexual harassment (see the Attorney General's letter)
  12. A culture of honor that enhances our students' ethical and moral development and clearly communicates and consistently adheres to the definitions of and sanctions for academic dishonesty

These ideals are consistently modeled by those in leadership positions-in the administration, staff, faculty, and student body-and should provide direction for all members of the college community.

<< Return to Top

Contact Persons
The following campus personnel might prove useful for OCC employees who wish to discuss a civility issue with someone other than their immediate supervisor.

Karen Blyskal, Director of Human Resources, ext. 2096
Kathleen Malachowski, Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance, ext. 2117
Kate Pandolpho, Counseling Services, ext. 2941
Nancy Polonitza, Counseling Services, ext. 2495
Bridget Root, Office Manager of Registration, ext. 2048
Dave Wolfe, Campus Ombudsman, ext. 2078

Sexual Harassment Response Team:
Don Doran, Vice President of Student Affairs, ext. 2039
Kate Pandolpho, Counseling Services, ext. 2941
Nancy Polonitza, Counseling Services, ext. 2495
William Rickert, Mathematics Professor, ext. 2179

<< Return to Top

Civility Opportunities and Events

SPRING SEMESTER 2008 CIVILITY ROUNDTABLE
The Civility Event on March 11, 2008 was a wonderful learning experience for all who attended--faculty, staff, administrators and students.  In order to capture the conversations at the five roundtables hosting from 10-12 participants each, a summary of each discussion was created. Click here for a copy of the Roundtable Discussion Notes.

SPRING SEMESTER 2009 EMPLOYEE PICNIC
At the suggestions of many college employees and in an effort to gather all employees together for a few hours of fun, the Civility Team in conjunction with the College Senate's Faculty Constituency Group sponsored an employee picnic from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6, on the patio of the College Center. 

SPRING SEMESTER 2010 EMPLOYEE PICNIC
Back by popular demand, the Civility Team sponsored an employee picnic on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, from noon until 2:00 p.m.

SPRING SEMESTER 2011 EMPLOYEE PICNIC
The Civility Team sponsored an employee picnic on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

<< Return to Top

Civility Links
The Team on Campus Civility recommends the following web sites:

Campus Debate:  In this article, "civil" disagreement is provided with a forum:  http://www.statesman.com/search/content/shared-gen/ap/National/US_Culture_Wars.html  

Manners:  In this essay, a pediatrician views manners as the basis for maturity and the core of civilized human behavior: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13klas.html?em

Words Can Heal. Org -a national media and educational campaign to promote the value and practice of ethical speech in order to improve our democracy and build mutual respect, honor, and integrity. http://www.wordscanheal.org

Choosing Civility (2002), a book by Dr. P. M. Forni discusses civility, which he defines as "being constantly aware of others and weaving restraint, respect, and consideration into the very fabric of this awareness." http://web.jhu.edu/civility/talksandworkshops.html

Campus Civility and the Law: This is an article in Lex Collegii, a legal newsletter for higher education, that examines college codes of conduct and the courts' responses on the basis of academic freedom and first amendment rights.  http://www.collegelegal.com/06spring.pdf

Free Speech and Civility:  Keeping the Balance is a response from the San Francisco State University college community to the events of 9/11--but it has a great deal to say about the connections between free speech and civil debate and offers an interesting link to information about a Hate and Hurt-free environment. free speech

Conflict Management, Let Me Count the Ways is a series of journal article on this hottest of topics  http://www.campus-adr.org/CMHER/Newsletter.html

Special Report: Campus Civility Issues, focusing on student-student civility. http://docushare.harford.edu/dsweb/Get/Document-227411/Civility%20Audio%20Conf.%20Bonus.pdf

< Return to Top