Inside Iowa State

April 28, 2006

Geoffroy requests input on Principles of Community

by Diana Pounds

President Gregory Geoffroy is seeking campus input on the current draft of Principles of Community, a GSB-inspired document that offers ideals and expectations for fostering a welcoming climate at Iowa State.

University groups and individuals can submit comments and suggestions on the six principles and accompanying set of recommendations through Oct. 15.

Comments should be submitted to principles@iastate.edu. Comments will be posted on the Principles of Community Web site at http://www.iastate.edu/~poc.

The input received over the next few months will be used to develop the final set of principles, which will be formally adopted next fall, Geoffroy said.

The Government of the Student Body appointed the principles commission last fall in response to hate graffiti discovered on campus in the summer of 2005. The commission's assigned task was to make recommendations on developing a more inclusive and diverse campus. GSB senator Phil Hernandez and women's center director Penny Rice chaired the commission of seven students and three staff and faculty members.

The current draft of the Principles of Community has been endorsed by the following groups and individuals: GSB, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, Professional and Scientific Council, Faculty Senate Executive Board, Supervisory and Confidential Council, Inter-Residence Hall Association, Frederiksen Court Council, Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Delta Lambda Phi social fraternity, Director of ISU Public Safety Jerry Stewart and Ames Police Chief Loras Jaeger.

The document lays out principles of community life and includes such ideals as freedom from discrimination, honest and respectful expression of ideas, and recognizing the richness of diversity.

"I applaud the work of the GSB Principles Commission, especially Phil Hernandez and Penny Rice, in bringing to fruition these principles, which express so well the ideals to which we aspire as a leading land-grant university," Geoffroy said.

Your turn:

• View principles & framework
• Send comments by Oct. 15.