Civility Pledge Drive at Masterton Hall

Over the last few months, there have been repeated incidents of anti-gay graffiti found in the hallways and office doors of Masterton Hall.  These incidents have been reported to Campus Police and they continue to be investigated.  As a community, we need to step up and support one another.   Please join the Schools of Social Work and Nursing, the Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity, Multicultural Student Affairs, Portland Student Life, Women and Gender Studies, the Provosts Office, and members of the University of Southern Maine community for a Civility Pledge Drive:   Thursday, November 10th 11:00am to 1:00pm Masterton Hall Couryard   We will have hot cider and pledges for folks to sign and display.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact: Sarah Holmes Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity x5767 sholmes@usm.maine.edu   The pledges will read:    

MY PERSONAL PLEDGE OF SUPPORT

I want my community to know that I support my friends, classmates, colleagues and everyone at U.S.M. as follows:

• I will take the time to learn about, appreciate and respect people’s differences
• I will speak up when people say things that offend me to let them know that I would rather not hear it
• I will support my friends and community members whenever they need it
• I will not tolerate when people use derogatory language regarding people’s differences in any capacity
• I will not tolerate when others are biased, discriminatory and intolerant
• I will not tolerate when people are hurtful to others

I believe that I am in the majority and that most people, given the opportunity to voice their opinion, would choose to assert these same rights, so I will encourage others to take this same pledge.