Issue
28(2)
Fostering
Civility on Campus.
(2007). Judy Rookstool.
Community College Press. 68 pp., $38.00, (paperback). ISBN 978-0-87117-379-9
Review by: Barbara
Kessel
Academic
Advisor, Enrollment and Student Services
Idaho State University
Civility can be a difficult topic
to broach since it has the potential to be viewed in negative
terms and can be a complex concept to define and utilize. “Because
there is so much discussion decrying incivility and the increase
of rudeness in society…” (p. v) it begs the question: what has
happened to civility? It would seem that the original intent of
civility has been at a minimum altered, if not totally discarded.
Courtesy, respect and open dialogue are the foundations of civility,
which Judy Rookstool, author of Fostering Civility on Campus
, explores from a positive viewpoint. In particular, she
claims that college campuses could make civility flourish with
instructors taking a leading role.
Beginning with the roots of civility
from the Greeks and during the Enlightenment, Rookstool leads
the reader through the subjective meanings and purpose of civility
and how it relates to citizenship and diversity. This relationship
is best observed, “When people are engag[ing] in debate, shar[ing]
knowledge [to] form the basis of dialogue that is aimed at reaching
agreement while also taking into account the ideas of others”
(p. 18). She applies these concepts to college campuses, given
that their primary mission is to educate and serve as a model
for students. In fact, she claims that not only should college
campuses educate students but also instruct them on civility.
In order to accomplish this task, she suggests that instructors
be vigilant concerning the inclusion of a civility statement on
their syllabus, model exemplary civility and have the ability
to detect and deter behavior that is uncivil. Keep in mind that
she is not alluding to etiquette, but rather adhering to the basic
tenet of civility: respect. In other words, students should be
able to engage in open discourse without the fear of reprisal,
humiliation or ad hominem attacks.
This book is an excellent review
of civility and democracy and the place they hold within higher
education. Rookstool offers many suggestions on how colleges can
accomplish this goal and illustrates how others have already implemented
these ideas, such as establishing a code of ethics. In addition,
numerous references and websites are presented to assist college
personnel in establishing or reviewing a civility statement.
The topic of civility is pertinent
and relevant to education today. However, Rookstool primarily
focuses on community college campuses and instructors. Universities
and other key employees were not included. Still, it would appear
that her exploration of civility can be directed toward any college
campus and, therefore, her discussion of civility should not be
relegated only to the target audience. Most, if not all, campuses
can adapt this information to their unique conditions. And, although
the information may not be directly relevant for academic advisors,
it is possible to utilize some of the information she provides.
Civility as a premise in interacting with students at any point
is of utmost importance both individually and as a representative
of the college.
