Members from the campaign "Civitas" got testimonials from the AU community about why they thought AU was a civil campus earlier this week.
Civitas, launched by the Office of Campus Life, was designed to promote civility and responsible citizenship in the campus community,
Soliciting opinions were Assistant Dean of Students Valerie Verra, along with Katsura Beltz and Katie Auerbach in Judicial Affairs, who tabled in the Mary Graydon Center. Meanwhile, Dana Williams-Johnson, media adviser for Student Activities, filmed the testimonials.
As of Monday, the "Civitas" campaign had collected 18 testimonials.
"We plan to instill civil pride with training, orientation with staff members and new student programs on topics related to civil issues," Beltz said.
The word "Civitas" was chosen because it is the Latin word for "city" or "civic community." It is the root word for "civilization," according to Dr. P.M. Forni, author of "Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct."
"Dr. Forni heads a civility project at Johns Hopkins University," Verra said. "Student civility is a hot topic around the country, especially since many students have forgotten basic manners and courteous behavior."
Campus Life incorporated many of Forni's ideas to create its own civility campaign.
"Civitas" plans to hold a forum called "Promoting the Public Good: Fulfilling Higher Education's Civic Mission Teleconference"
