New Statement Plans to Introduce Civility on Campus

By David Janes | Published by April 18, 2019

The University Senate unanimously approved a campus culture statement on civility last month in response to the nation’s increasingly polarized political climate.

Senate Chairperson Claire Mulry said the intent of the civility statement is not to block academic freedom or dictate thoughts, but for faculty to serve as models for students incivility, critical thinking and dealing with facts, not rumor, innuendo or hyperbole.

The statement reads: “Kean University’s mission strives to prepare [students] to think critically, creatively and globally to adapt to changing socially economic and psychological environments and to serve as contributing members of their communities.” .

Recent incidents of polarizing political speech, hate speech, fake news, and mass shootings has sparked conversation about civility on college campuses in this country.

With the divide in society widening following the election of President Donald Trump,  there has been a societal shift toward fake news, post-truth, and hate speech arising in this country.

“We call upon programs and classes to seek creative ways to identify and value fact-based truths by refuting rumor, fake videos and innuendo,” said Senate Secretary J. Barry Mascari, who read the statement at the march 26 meeting.

According to NBC News, President Trump signed an executive order for colleges and universities that accept federal funding, which include federal research grants, must support “free inquiry.” According to Trump himself, “free inquiry” means “free speech.”

“Free speech is important. It’s in the Bill of Rights, it’s what a campus community is based on, so it’s super important, but I think when it crosses its line to hate speech, hate speech is no longer free speech,” said Dr. Mulry. “I have a right to my free speech as long as I don’t infringe on your rights and when you get to that hate speech your crossing that line.”

The civility statement calls on the entire Kean community to reflect on the teachings,  basic values and  the mission of the university in the midst of the societal shift toward  intolerance.

“All Kean community members have the responsibility to become aware and speak out,” said Dr. Mascari, “It is the responsibility of all members of our community, our campus community, to build and teach a mutual respect.”

The topic of open dialogue and open-discussion was addressed as well.
The statement encourages listening to differing voices in an effort to understand another person’s perspective and enhancing the quality of dialogue and tolerance on campus as well as seeking fact  against “false truths.”

The statement encourages administrators, staff, faculty, and students to give an empowering voice to the powerless that treats every individual on campus with dignity, equity and equality.

Dr. Dan Gover, an English professor t, said while statements like this are meaningful, it’s a bit beside the point in an age of mass shootings.

“When we live in a country where the government takes no action after a mass shooting and we’ve seen quite a number of them,” said Gover.

The recent shootings in a New Zealand mosque last month  d that left at least 50 dead and the attack at the Tree of Light Synagogue in Pittsburgh was raised.. The gunman in New Zealand opened fire in the mosque and streamed it live on Facebook until the social media giant was able to block it.

“I think a number of events, New Zealand being the latest of them are jarring as to how when we don’t treat people with respect or we hear other’s perspectives in a civil way it leads to more problems,” said Dr. Mulry

Dr. Christopher Lynch, a Communication professor, said  everyone, himself included, needs to learn how to dialogue with each other. It’s a process.

“I think you can just raise consciousness among each other so we do become more aware of the issues,” said Dr. Lynch.

Dr. Stavola-Daly, professor in the Physical Education Recreation and Health department, said that the statement sets a framework for everyone on campus for  a more positive and civil community.

Dr. Stavola-Daly said  it’s this kind of action that helps  create discussion on campus about issues and give people the opportunity to share their ideas and be able to support tolerance.

Dr. Mulry o thanked Dr. Christopher Lynch and Dr. Frances Stavola-Daly, who led the work on the statement.

The Senate plans to revisit this once the awareness is on campus and move into phase two of an action plan based off what was said at the meeting and how else the idea c be infused into campus activities to make “civility” even stronger.

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