Living in Community

Iowa State University is a community of persons from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Each person is a unique individual, drawn from the broad spectrum of our society. We must each strive to understand the individuality and life choices of those among us. We can best learn from one another in an atmosphere of positive encouragement and mutual respect. As we engage in our daily activities and interactions, we must possess a genuine desire to learn from others. In addition, we must give others the respect which we, ourselves, desire.

While we have a commitment to not deter free speech, we must make a commitment to confront those individuals who use their free speech and/or expression as a platform for hatred, intimidation, and humiliation. We must as a community realize that harassment, intimidation, and humiliation exist. The Department of Residence has an expectation that as part of everyday life students and staff challenge the misunderstandings and misinterpretations that cause racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia. We must also challenge the expression of hatred and the actions that result from this demeaning behavior. It is our belief that one's actions demonstrate one's commitment to respecting the differences among individuals. We are individually and collectively responsible for our behavior and accountable for our actions. Each of us must take the initiative and responsibility for our own learning and awareness of the differences that exist in our community and avoid all actions that diminish others.

Bigotry and hatred will be given no home within our university housing community. Our community will not tolerate verbal or written abuse, threats, intimidation, violence, or other forms of harassment against our members. Thus, we cannot accept ignorance, false humor, anger, alcohol, or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such behavior. We strive to develop and support a learning environment free from all expressions of bigotry, so each of us can enjoy genuinely equal opportunities to live, work, and learn.

All of us who work and live in the Iowa State student housing community have chosen to be here. Thus, we must commit ourselves to these principles which are the basis for our purpose, value, and worth.