See also: 📚 Write a Whistlegraph: Syllabus & Resources

This is our Code of Conduct. It is a guideline for interactions between students and teachers and a scaffolding for our learning environment. When we commit to actively participating in the social aspects of our learning, we can best work together to create boundaries that make it easier for everyone to feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

⚠️ To report a violation, please email Celine Wong Katzman ([email protected]) or Alex Freundlich ([email protected]). We may reach out to you for further information, protecting your safety and privacy, and we will endeavor to find a resolution that upholds the community’s values. You may also use this Google form, which is submitted to Celine, or this Google form, which is submitted to Alex, to report community agreement violations anonymously if you do not wish to share your identity.

Who is the Code of Conduct for? Where and when does it apply? Who upholds it?

All teachers, students and guests agree to uphold the Code of Conduct when entering community spaces, both physically and online. Our community is composed of people from a range of identities, socio-economic statuses, ages, education levels, and backgrounds.

The Code of Conduct applies in various contexts, including our relations with one another, the feedback and critique we give to one another, and the things that we create.

The Code of Conduct belongs to everyone, and it is everyone's responsibility to uphold it. While the Code of Conduct outlines behaviors that will not be tolerated, it is not punitive. All people make mistakes; in these instances, the Code of Conduct offers guidance on how to make mistakes gracefully by committing to unlearning harmful behaviors and collectively moving towards repair.

Our Collective Values & Actions

• Prioritize the safety of BIPOC, queer, trans, disabled, femme, low-income, survivors, and all other marginalized people and members of protected groups over the comfort of those in privileged positions.
• All forms of harassment, including threats, offensive comments, text and media messages and unwelcome sexual attention are unacceptable within our community.
• Actively listen to and honor the lived experiences of others. Do not invalidate or deny the lived experiences of others, even if it looks different from your own lived experience.
• Always keep mutual respect in mind when sharing space with others, including virtual space.
• Ask people how they want to be addressed instead of assuming their pronouns based on their outward appearance.
  • Example: “Hi, my name is __ and my pronouns are they/them.” “I’m sorry, I missed your introduction. What are your pronouns?” For more information on pronouns, check out this guide published by GLSEN.
• Take up space mindfully, as there is a limited amount of space to speak in any given meeting, class or gathering. If you’re someone who tends to not speak a lot, consider moving into a role of speaking more. If you tend to speak a lot, consider moving into a role of listening more.
  • Example: If you have something you really want to say and are conscious that you have spoken a lot, write it down and see if it’s worth coming back to later.
• Listen actively, and embrace awkward silences! An awkward silence is an opportunity for people who may take longer to respond to a prompt or who like to be sure they are not taking anyone else’s chance to speak.
• Cultivate a culture of consent. Always ask for permission and preface your sharing with content warnings when talking about content that is potentially triggering for others. This includes past transgressions or problematic behaviors, as well as violence against marginalized people or communities (protected groups).
• Ask for permission before using the work of others and give credit to their work.
  • Example: “Hey, I’m making a Tiktok and want to share a picture of a project you did! Is it ok for me to post this? How do you want to be credited?”
• Be open to vulnerability, uncertainty, and experiencing discomfort. The stronger the culture of consent, the more possible this becomes. When we give ourselves permission to be vulnerable, in turn we give to others. We are all learners.
  • Example: “I made this project about how I feel lonely all the time.” “Thank you for sharing. Even if I don’t resonate with this feeling, I am grateful to you for showing up with your whole self.”
• Take accountability for your actions, cultivate a willingness to make mistakes, to admit when we have, and to accept feedback from others. Interpret feedback for what it is: a gift and an investment in our education.
  • Example: “When you interrupted me it felt like you did not care about listening to my ideas.” “I apologize for interrupting. Thank you for saying something, I do care about listening to your ideas and now I understand better how my actions were communicating otherwise.”

What do I do if I witness or experience harassment?