General Employment and Workplace Issues

Civility

Civility is defined as behavior that demonstrates consistent respect for others, including an effort to understand differences. Civility helps to create an environment at Colby Community College where all are valued and can be productive. Colby Community College values the inherent worth and dignity of every person, thereby fostering a community of mutual respect. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to exhibit and practice civil behaviors at all times.

Colby Community College supports the freedom of expression for faculty, staff, and students. However, maintaining these freedoms requires the learning environment to be conducive to learning. Disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated. Any individual engaging in such behaviors may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension from school and/or termination of employment.

Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Biting Sarcasm
• Deflection
• Derogatory Terms (stupid, ignorant, etc.)
• Dishonesty
• Disinformation
• Disruptive, discourteous, and/or insubordinate conduct
• Evasion
• False Propaganda
• Gaslighting
• Intentional Nonresponse
• Insulting Body Language (eye-rolling or physical gestures)
• Insulting tone of voice (baby talk, speaking “down” to a person)
• Name-calling (a term ending in -ist or -phobe OR beginning with anti- or similarly critical terms)
• Obfuscation
• Open hostility
• Passive-Aggressive Behavior
• Profanity
• Ridicule
• Shouting
• Social Media or Discussion Board posts that are rude, disrespectful, offensive, or inappropriate
• Violating netiquette rules

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to address civility concerns directly with one another. However, there may be times when those involved do not feel comfortable doing so. In such instances involving faculty and staff, the concerns should be taken to the Director of Human Resources or the supervising vice president. Student concerns should be shared with the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Threats of physical violence or loud arguments that rise to the point of disrupting the learning environment will result in contacting campus authorities and/or the Colby Police Department. Students, faculty, or staff members engaging in disruptive and/or uncivil behavior will be disciplined accordingly based on the complaint procedure (pgs. 15-16 of the Workplace Handbook) and/or the Student Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook.

Added May 2023
Revised July 2026