All students in this program agree to abide by our Ethics policy:

Essential Elements of Dignity

Acceptance of Identity:  Approach people as neither inferior nor superior and give others the freedom to express their authentic selves without the fear of being negatively judged.  Interact without prejudice or bias and accepting how race religion, gender, class, sexual orientation and age, disability etc. are at the core of their identities, and assume they have integrity.  

Recognition:  Validate others for their hard work, time, thoughtfulness, help, and talents.  Be generous with praise and give credit to others for their contributions, ideas, and experience.

Acknowledgement:  Give people your full attention by listening, hearing, validating, and responding to their concerns and what they have been through.

Inclusion:  Make others feel that they belong at all levels of relationship (family, community, organization, nation).     

Safety:  put people at ease at two levels physically where they feel free of bodily harm and psychologically where they feel free of concern about being shamed or humiliated, that they feel free to speak without fear of retribution.

Fairness:  treat people justly with equality and in an even handed way according to agreed upon laws and rules.

Independence:  empower people to act on their own behalf so that they feel in control of their lives and experience a sense of hope and possibility.

Understanding:  believe that what others think matters, give them the chance to explain their perspectives, express their point of view.  Actively listen in order to understand them.

Benefit of Doubt:  Treat people as trustworthy.  Start with the premise that others have good motives and are acting with integrity.

Accountability:  take responsibility for your actions if you have violated the dignity of another, apologize, make a commitment to change unintended hurtful behaviors. 

Those who violate this agreement will be subject to studio policies, including removal from the program.