Civility & Community Building

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Civility Statement

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The State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh) recognizes that productivity, well-being, and job satisfaction are contingent on the workplace environment. Through civility, mutual respect, open communication, cooperation and support, SUNY Plattsburgh strives to foster a safe, respectful workplace to promote the highest quality performance out of all members. This expectation also extends beyond the place of work to locations where state employees are representing SUNY Plattsburgh and/or performing their work-related duties and responsibilities.

• Guiding Principles

  SUNY Plattsburgh is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects and is a part of a society comprising all races, creeds, and social circumstances. The successful conduct of the college’s affairs requires that there is acknowledgement and practice of the following basic principles:

  • We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by unconditional respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted misunderstandings and biases, and therefore we will endeavor to foster a work environment where mutual understanding and respect are expected norms.

  • We affirm the right of freedom of expression and expect responsibility with using these rights within our community and also affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as directed by personal belief, to lawfully express any idea, and to disagree with or counter another’s point of view, limited only by regulations governing time, place, and manner. We promote the open expression of our individuality and our diversity and expect boundaries of courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.

  • We will confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including but not limited to unjust or prejudicial treatment based on age, color, race, ability, marital status, national/ethnic origin, religion, veteran’s status, sex [including pregnancy], gender expression or gender identity, sexual orientation, political activities or genetic information. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by the range of human identities and experiences. We take pride in our various achievements, and we are committed to and celebrate our differences.

  • As members of a community we chose to be a part of, we are obligated to strive to build a true community based on mutual respect, dignity and caring.

  • We encourage community members to call out behavior that create a hostile work environment or can be seen as lateral violence.
• Civility Standards

  Expected and acceptable communications/behaviors include, without limitation:

  • Holding yourself and others accountable to SUNY Plattsburgh’s mission, vision, and core values.
  • Interacting with others in a considerate, patient, and courteous manner.
  • Respecting confidentiality and privacy whenever possible.
  • Working together by promoting cooperation, participation and sharing of ideas and information to promote team success.
  • Fostering open, honest communication and being honest and truthful at all times.
  • Actively listening to the perspective of others and seeking to resolve conflicts constructively.
  • Apologizing when mistakes are made and/or misunderstandings have occurred.
  • Using proper and appropriate channels to express dissatisfaction.
  • Being knowledgeable of other related and applicable College and/or SUNY-wide policies and procedures including, without limitation, Non-Discrimination Policy, DIRECT, Title IX, and the SUNY Workplace Violence Policy.
• Uncivil/Unacceptable Behavior

  Aggressive and hostile acts of an individual or group of individuals that intentionally intimidates, degrades, humiliates or isolates people at work, and/or undermines their reputation or job performance.  It undermines the health, dignity, and/or well-being of employees. This can lead to aggression and workplace violence. Such aggressive and hostile acts can occur as a single, severe incident or repeated incidents, and may manifest in many forms including, without limitation:

  • Aggressive Communication — Examples include, without limitation: frequent and offensive remarks, name-calling or swearing; shouting, yelling or angry outbursts; avoiding communication; angry finger-pointing or gestures; and invasion of personal space.
  • Acts Aimed at Humiliation — Examples include, without limitation: ridiculing or teasing; spreading rumors or gossip; playing harsh practical jokes; making degrading comments in front of others; and turning others against the target.
  • Manipulation — Examples include, without limitation: removing tasks imperative to job responsibilities; giving unmanageable workloads and impossible deadlines; arbitrarily changing tasks; purposely withholding pertinent information; sabotaging work; taking credit for the ideas of others; and giving assignments that are not safe.
  • Lateral Violence — Covert or overt acts of verbal or non-verbal aggression between coworkers or colleagues; displaced violence against one’s peers rather than adversaries.
• Resources

  We are collecting a list of websites, books, articles and other information that you might find useful. If you have items you would like added, don’t hesitate to contact one of the below individuals. 

  Download Civility Resources

Cardinals Care “You Made a Difference” Recognition Program

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One of the initiatives of the expanded program is the Cardinals Care: You Made a Difference Recognition Program. Individuals are invited to reward exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty by completing a nomination form and mailing or emailing it to the Civility and Community Building Committee. Nominated individuals will be publicized and a copy of the nomination will be forwarded to the employee. All faculty, staff and students are eligible for nomination.

• To Nominate a Fellow Cardinal: Submit online via our “You Made a Difference” Nomination Form

April 2024 Honorees

The Promote Community Building Committee and the Cardinals Care Recognition Program would like to recognize this month’s nominees — students, faculty and staff — who made a positive difference or went the extra mile for someone else:

• Admissions Department Staff
• Mary Alldred, Earth and Environmental Science
• Regan Ashline, Center for Student Involvement
• Marco Ayala-Perez, Student Health and Counseling Center
• Genie Babb, School of Arts and Sciences
• Tonya Baker, Admissions
• Karen Becker, Music
• Nancy Bennett, Procurement Services
• Alyssa Bordeau, Human Resource Services
• Wilfred Boudrieau, Warehouse
• Lindsey Bradley, Library (Feinberg)
• Shannon Breen, Student in Child Ed 1-6 Interdisc B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Bruce Carlin, Communication Studies
• Linda Carpenter, Library (Feinberg)
• Chris Chamars, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• John Chambers, Communication Studies
• Juliana Coppola, Student in Childhood Ed (Gr 1-6) Interdisc B.S.
• Andie Dandrow, Student in Childhood Ed (Gr 1-6) STEM B.S.
• Zanaeja Dandy, Student in Anthropology B.A.
• Heather Darrah, English
• Rachel Day, Education
• Rebecca Drollette, Library (Feinberg)
• Karrie Durkee, Procurement Services
• Edith Ellis, Art Museum
• Christopher Fasolino, Art
• Connie Fesette, Athletics and Recreation
• Rachel Flemming, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• MacKenzie Fletcher, Student in Child Ed 1-6 English Language Art B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Thomas Friedrich, English
• Mohamed Gaber, Accounting (Academic)
• Samy Garas, Accounting (Academic)
• David Gregoire, Institutional Advancement
• Mitchell Guanga, Procurement Services
• Sarah Hackett, Education
• Bridget Haina, Communication Studies
• Tyler Hargraves, Center for Student Involvement
• Kimberly Irland, Title IX Office
• Cheryl Jones, Admissions
• Troy Joseph, Admissions
• Rosy Knowles, Budget and Financial Reporting Services
• Andrew Krug, Athletics and Recreation
• Max Lamitie, Student in Child Ed 1-6 Interdisc B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Megan Lawless, Education
• Brooke Layhee, Global Education Office
• Shatawndra Lister, Enrollment and Student Success
• Micaela Lynch, Student in Child Ed 1-6 The Arts B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Bradley Magoon, Maintenance Trades
• Michael Marti, Maintenance Trades
• Stephen Matthews, Enrollment and Student Success
• Alyssa McGovern, Information Technology Services
• John McMahon, Political Science
• Sarah Mccarty, Center for Student Involvement
• Christine Minck, Student Health and Counseling Center
• Stephen Moffat, Athletics and Recreation
• Chelynne Morley, Counselor Education
• Ian Mott, Maintenance Trades
• Mae Olshansky, Student in Business Administration B.S.
• Elaine Ostry, English
• Michelle Ouellette, Journalism and Public Relations
• Connie Oxford, Gender and Women’s Studies
• John Parmelee, Management, Info Sys and Analytics
• Meg Pearson, School of Arts and Sciences
• Erin Peters, Admissions
• Kelley Pickreign, Academic Advising
• Scott Reznick, English
• Robert Richter, Information Technology Services
• Matthew Salvatore, Athletics and Recreation
• Susan Sand, Student Health and Counseling Center
• Jessica Santos, Educational Opportunity Program
• Carol Schnob, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Disa Seymour, Nursing
• Jill Silver, Student Health and Counseling Center
• Denise Simard, School of Ed, Health, and Human Serv
• Kristie Stanton, Library (Feinberg)
• Allison Swick-Duttine, Center for Student Involvement
• Christopher Taylor, Athletics and Recreation
• Michael Thompson, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Michelle Timmons, Education
• Trisha Trombly, Human Resource Services
• Sally Urban, Career Development Center
• Tyler Whitney, Information Technology Services
• Jamie Winters, School of Arts and Sciences

Help build our SUNY Plattsburgh community by acknowledging the special efforts of those on campus.

“You Made a Difference” Nomination Form

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All faculty, staff and students are eligible for nomination.

• Cardinals Care Nomination Form
  If you see this don't fill out this input box.

  Person to be Recognized*

  Department/Major*

  Position*

  Date of Extraordinary Service*Note: If the date of service extends beyond a single day, please indicate the dates in your response.

  Tell Us How This Person Made a Difference*

  Your Name

  Your Email Address*

  Date of Nomination*

  Form UUID Site Name Submit   Clear