Promoting Civility

Civility in a college community is essential for success in and out of the classroom. Wake Tech is committed to promoting awareness of civility among students, faculty, staff and administrators. All are invited to practice these traits for the benefit of a civil campus.

  • Show kindness to others
  • Treat others with respect, even if you are being disrespected
  • Be courteous to others in speech and action
  • Agree to disagree
  • Stay calm when provoked
  • Say "please" and "thank  you"
  • Think before you speak

"Civility is not a sign of weakness."
– President John F. Kennedy

"Life at its best is a creative synthesis of opposites in fruitful harmony."
– Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none."
– Benjamin Franklin

25 rules of considerate conduct

  • Pay attention
  • Acknowledge others
  • Think the best
  • Listen
  • Be inclusive
  • Speak kindly
  • Don’t speak ill
  • Accept and give praise
  • Respect even a subtle "no"
  • Respect others’ opinions
  • Mind your body
  • Be agreeable
  • Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
  • Respect other people’s time
  • Respect other people’s space
  • Apologize earnestly and thoughtfully
  • Assert yourself
  • Avoid personal questions
  • Care for your guests
  • Be a considerate guest
  • Think twice before asking for favors
  • Refrain from idle complaints
  • Give constructive criticism
  • Respect the environment and be gentle to animals
  • Don’t shift responsibility and blame

From "Choosing Civility," Copyright © 2002 P.M. Forni. (St. Martin's Press, 2002)