Together Bravely

At Albion College, we are committed to creating a safe and brave community. Safe communities are those where all feel that their personal safety is assured and where there is no fear of intentional physical or psychological harm. Brave communities are those where debate about different views and perspectives is welcomed, is respectful and empathetic, and occasionally creates discomfort within and/or among those involved. The key to creating communities that are safe and brave is empathy and respect. Empathy affords us the ability to understand that some speech and action, however, intended, may contribute to fear of harm in others. Respect allows us to pause and hear out an opposing view before we assume intent.

When communities like Albion commit to being both safe and brave, a multiplicity of perspectives can be shared, resulting in shared understanding. In such communities, belonging is fostered. As we prepare for the upcoming election, the Albion community must be a safe and brave community where all members feel respected and utilize empathy for others with different lived experiences.

Read the Student Senate's 2020 Election Message

The Together Bravely Pledge

Together Bravely, we have faced differences of perspective on our approaches to COVID-19, are facing the challenges of working to become an anti-racist institution, and will face the outcome of the election. We challenge all members of our community to take the Together Bravely pledge:

I commit to engaging in conversations to understand my peers and colleagues with respect and empathy. I commit to doing my part to make sure Albion is a safe and brave community. I commit to being open to discomfort and to not assuming intent. I commit to acknowledging unintentional harm when it occurs and to working to understand how to avoid it in the future.

Building a Community of Belonging

We know that the election brings increased anxiety about the future of our country, which is exacerbated by the current global pandemic. We recognize that no matter the outcome of the election, one part of our community may be excited and another part may be distressed.

To strengthen our liberal arts commitment to free and open discourse on campus while also keeping in mind our commitment to belonging, we encourage student leaders, coaches, faculty, staff and administrators to engage in conversations about how we can be a safe and brave community as we prepare for the November election. We encourage reflection on what a safe and brave community looks like and on the part each individual must play in such a community in times of stress and polarization.

This election calls on us to remind ourselves of our commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging. Our Blueprint for Belonging asks us to frame our engagement on campus with the following in mind:

We strive for a community of belonging for all. To this end:

• Albion College condemns all acts of discrimination, prejudice and harassment. Such acts harm individuals through “othering” and destroy the interconnected fabric of a community of belonging.
• Albion College community members acknowledge that sometimes our actions and institutional practices create unintentional harm in our community.
• Albion College community members listen deeply to those harmed by our unintentional acts, own the impact, and transform the learning into action for belonging moving forward.
• Albion College community members offer space for learning and growth to each other for unintentional harm created by unintentional discrimination, prejudice, and harassment.
• Albion College community members are committed to vigorous debate, consideration of alternative and new ideas, and the freedom of academic speech and exploration.
• We simultaneously commit ourselves to creating a community of belonging for faculty, staff and students – particularly for those from historically marginalized populations.

College Policies

Listed below are a few of the highlighted College policies that you are expected to abide by as we navigate our election season. For a comprehensive list of College policies, see the Student Handbook.

• Behavior and/or activities that develop to a degree that elicits public alarm, disturbs the peace, threatens or endangers, or injures/damages the wellbeing, safety, or property of any person (s) or harms public property are prohibited.
• Behavior that disrupts or interferes with the orderly process of the College is prohibited. Orderly processes of the College include, but are not limited to, the living, learning, and working environments, such as holding of classes, the carrying forward of College business, arrangements for property authorized and scheduled events, and the observance of regulations and procedures.
• Behavior that violates local, state, and federal law on or off campus when such violation of the law is directly related to the College community is prohibited.
• Discriminatory Harassment - The College prohibits any acts of intimidation, or any behaviors that demean, slur, or stereotype an individual or group based on sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. These include oral, written remarks, symbolic speech, illustrations, innuendos, and electronic messages or postings.
• Retaliation - The College prohibits retaliation against a person who reports, files a complaint, or participates in an investigation or other procedures for addressing complaints.

The Rock

The Rock on the campus quadrangle has served for many years as a place for student and campus group expression on various issues and to advertise campus events. We should be reminded that the painting of the rock, properly regulated, has a positive impact on campus and reminds us of our commitment to promoting a sense of community and belonging. It serves as an outlet to show school spirit and pride in individual organizations or campus departments and is symbolic of our creativity in coming together as a community in celebration and in addressing challenging issues facing our community or society at large.

Painting on the Rock must be in good taste and conform to the expectations Albion holds as an inclusive academic institution. Specifically:

1. Paintings that contribute to the discussion of important social, cultural, and political issues, offer celebratory messages or advertise College-sponsored events are encouraged.
2. Paintings may not violate the Student Handbook, including the section on Discriminatory Harassment. This policy “Prohibits any acts of intimidation, or any behaviors that demean, slur, or stereotype an individual or group on the basis of sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status.”
3. Paintings may not encourage illegal activity or activity that would constitute a violation of the Student Handbook.
4. Paintings may not contain direct threats against, or in any way target individuals or groups of individuals.

Students who violate this policy will be subject to the judicial process presented in Section Six of the Student Handbook. Judgments about what constitutes an act of discriminatory harassment or a threat with regard to painting the Rock will take the context of the act into consideration. Relevant contextual factors include the apparent intent and effect of speech or symbols included in the painting. For example, those who enforce this policy will consider whether included speech or symbols target historically marginalized groups and whether they are intended earnestly or satirically.

Only the Rock and its pedestal may be painted. Individuals or groups painting the rock should refrain from painting the outer circular sidewalk area, so as not to create a situation where wet paint is tracked into nearby buildings. Painting and/or graffiti of any kind is not permitted on other College property including sidewalks (except for chalk markings), streets, buildings, and plantings. Any costs incurred in cleaning/repairing/replacing such surfaces, including the outer circular sidewalk area around the Rock, will be billed to the responsible individual(s) or group(s).

While the Rock cannot be reserved, groups should attempt to coordinate efforts so that all who wish may have an opportunity to use the Rock. The suggested timeline to allow paintings to remain on the rock is a minimum of 48 hours.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a member of the Albion College community, you have a certain rights and responsibilities to uphold in order to maintain a safe and brave space for yourselves and others.

• The right to study, read, relax, and sleep without unreasonable interference, noise, or distractions, and the responsibility to uphold this right for others.
• The right to feel safe in College-owned residences as well as have free access to one’s own room and other facilities in the hall, and the responsibility to ensure the safety of others in the halls.
• The right to have respect shown for one’s privacy, and the responsibility to respect the privacy of both others’ personal property and community property.
• The right to live in an area that is free of intimidation, physical, or emotional harm, and the responsibility to ensure this right for others.
• The right to maintain one’s personal beliefs and values, and the responsibility to respect others’ beliefs and values.
• The right to redress of grievances, and the responsibility to seek assistance in settling conflicts. 

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Voting at Albion

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Student Handbook