Diversity

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Resolution on the Harassment of Students at Public Meetings

After recent North Idaho College Board of Trustees meetings, North Idaho College students reported that before, during, and after their public comments, some community members attempted to silence and intimidate them using forms of verbal harassment, including gender-based and sexual-identity-based slurs. To the Diversity Council’s
knowledge, neither the Board of Trustees nor the interim president have expressed concern or acted to address students’ experiences at public meetings.

In line with the Diversity Council’s mission of providing an inclusive and respectful campus culture at North Idaho College, our members wish to convey their support and solidarity with students affected by harassment at the Board of Trustees meetings. The Diversity Council is concerned that previous trustee comments about “real men” and
“scary women” have opened the door to the kind of harassment students are experiencing. The Diversity Council maintains that the Board of Trustees has an ethical responsibility to uphold policies regarding campus culture, to maintain student safety, and to condemn the use of hate speech, intimidation, threats, and bullying towards
those who speak at the Board of Trustees meetings.

WHEREAS, the Diversity Council believes that all individuals have a right to speak freely at public meetings.

WHEREAS, the Diversity Council further believes that individuals can express themselves freely without intimidating and harassing others. North Idaho College policies support this position.

WHEREAS NIC Policy 3.03.04 prohibits “malicious harassment” on the grounds that it “subverts the mission of North Idaho College, and threatens, in both obvious and subtle ways, the well-being of students and staff, and will not be tolerated at North Idaho College.”

WHEREAS NIC Policy 3.03.05 states that “disruptive, hostile, or violent behavior will not be tolerated in NIC classrooms, in instructional environments, on NIC controlled sites, or during NIC sponsored activities.”

WHEREAS NIC Policy 3.03.06 states that “members of the college community, including guests and visitors, have the right to be free from all forms of gender and sex-based discrimination.”

WHEREAS NIC Policy 3.03.06 further states, “All members of the college community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others and the college will not tolerate sex or gender-based misconduct.”

WHEREAS, North Idaho College Mission and Values states that it is committed to the Core Values of Student Success, Community Engagement, and Diversity.

WHEREAS, the Diversity Council remains committed to its June 5, 2020 statement “Reaffirming Advocacy & Learning in Support of Social Justice & Marginalized Communities.”

WHEREAS, Idaho Code 33-136 on Dignity and Nondiscrimination in Public Education that “administrators, faculty members, other employees, and students at public schools, including public charter schools and institutions of higher education, respect the dignity of others, acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and freedom of speech and association.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Diversity Council calls upon trustees and administrative leaders to join us in condemning any behavior that seeks to intimidate, harass, or silence students in public meeting contexts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Diversity Council calls on the acting President to maintain the decorum of public meetings and to publicly defend students who are targeted by intimidation and harassment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Diversity Council calls on all college leaders and officials to reject the support of individuals who identify with – or advocate for – homophobia, transphobia, white nationalism, and other forms of hate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Diversity Council asks for a clear and swift response to this resolution. Silence on these issues, from either the Trustees or administrative leadership, suggests that North Idaho College condones the harassment of students and the rhetoric of hate.

Passed on 23 February 2023

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Diversity Council Executive Committee

• John Trombold // Chair
• Vacant // Vice-Chair
• Alex Harris // Administrator