Community Expectations
The study and practice of theatre demand environments that foster creative risk-taking and rely on a deep level of collaboration. Meaningful artistic work and successful collaboration thrive in spaces where physical, psychological, and emotional safety are prioritized. This kind of trust is only possible when all members of the community commit to professional and ethical conduct reflective of the standards upheld in academic and professional theatre. Therefore, all members of the Theatre Department community—students, staff, and faculty—are expected to embody the following values and professional behaviors.
All Theatre Department community members—students, faculty, and staff—are expected to:
Foster a Culture of Respect
Theatre Department community members will:
- Cultivate a collaborative, safe, and inclusive environment—supporting creative risk-taking; honoring diverse identities, experiences, and artistic expressions; and following faculty- and staff-established safety protocols.
- Engage others with professionalism, honesty, and integrity by communicating clearly, cooperating toward shared goals, and treating peers, faculty, staff, guest artists, and audiences with respect.
- Navigate challenges constructively and ethically by addressing conflicts directly and with dignity, using available university resources when appropriate, and avoiding gossip, passive aggression, or backchannel communication.
Uphold Academic and Artistic Integrity
Theatre Department community members will:
- Maintain integrity in all academic, creative, and collaborative endeavors (This includes obtaining proper permissions to perform or record copyrighted or devised work, crediting collaborators for design, direction, writing, performance, etc., and respecting the intellectual and artistic labor of others)
- Follow widely accepted standards of academic honesty, including avoiding plagiarism, cheating, research misconduct, misrepresentation, and inappropriate collaboration
Commit to Personal and Artistic Growth
Theatre Department community members will:
- Cultivate self-awareness, reflect on feedback, and actively seek opportunities for growth and development
- Take responsibility for their own learning and creative engagement
- Balance commitments to others with personal well-being, and seek support when needed in academic or production contexts
Demonstrate Professionalism and Reliability
Recognizing that theatre is built on trust, time, and shared effort, we commit to:
- Honoring our responsibilities in class, rehearsals, productions, and meetings by showing up prepared and on time
- Responding to communications (emails, messages) within a reasonable timeframe (typically 48 hours)
- Refraining from behavior—inside or outside of department activities—that compromises the safety, trust, or well-being of others
- Avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs in any context that would interfere with our academic or production responsibilities
- Make every effort to aim for universal accessibility in all our spaces and venues.
Contribute to a Culture of Consent
Following Theatrical Intimacy Education's mission, the Department of Theatre's goal is to "ethically, efficiently, and effectively stage intimacy and nudity, create consent-based spaces, establish boundaries in all environments, and help everyone develop progressive practices." As such, consent is a foundational operating force that informs, supports and sustains our art-making.
Maintain Appropriate Communication
Clear and healthy communication is an essential element of successful communities. In all communities, conflict and disagreements are inevitable and a healthy part of human engagement. In this vein, all Department of Theatre community members are expected to:
- strive for self-awareness (understand our individual positionalities and biases; recognize that we are each only one voice among many in our larger community)
- extend grace, compassion, and generosity toward fellow community members (give others the benefit of the doubt; understand that we are all learning and growing)
- educate themselves regarding our community efforts to honor the range of perspectives present in our community
- follow the communication guidance below
We acknowledge that our students, staff, and faculty are members of both the Department of Theatre community and of the larger University of Utah community. As such, all are also expected to adhere to University policies.
- Students who wish to know more about their rights and responsibilities under University policy, may review Policy 6-400: Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (“Student Code”).
- Staff who wish to know more about their rights and responsibilities under University policy, may review Policy 5-205: Code of Conduct for Staff.
- Faculty who wish to know more about their rights and responsibilities under University policy, may review Policy 6-316: Code of Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
University policy and procedure supersedes department policy and procedure. Any claim of discrimination based on a protected class must first be addressed by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action before the department can act.
For students, serious violations or persistent minor violations of Department of Theatre or University rules, policies, or regulations may result in an official warning, probation, or dismissal from the program and potentially from the University in accordance with the University’s Student Code and official Department of Theatre Probation & Dismissal Policy (available on DoT website). For staff and faculty, serious violations or persistent minor violations will be dealt with in accordance with University policy.
Reporting Concerns & Resolving Conflict
If you have an experience within the Department that does not reflect our values and community agreements, or if you have a conflict with another member of the Department, or would like help understanding a challenging situation in the Department, please let us know.
In most cases, a concern or conflict should be addressed at its source. Resolution will involve collaboration and conversation amongst all relevant parties. (See Guidance for Communication above.) Gossip or discussions with groups not involved in the conflict are often by nature incomplete and unproductive with regard to producing mutual learning and change.
- Students may voice concerns via:
- Student Feedback Form
- Voicing Concerns Process
- SAC representatives
- Faculty leaders (Area Heads, Director of Undergraduate Studies, etc.)
- Chair of the Department
- Faculty members may voice concerns to:
- Chair of the Department
- CFA Associate Dean for Faculty & Academic Affairs
- Office for Faculty
- Staff members may voice concerns to:
- Chair of the Department
- CFA Finance & Operations Officer
- Human Resources
In some cases, University employees are required to report information to the Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX (OEO) (e.g., sexual assault). Even if a University employee must report the information you share to the OEO, your communication with them will remain private and you will be allowed to choose whether to take further action. For example, if you report a case of sexual harassment to a faculty member, the faculty member is required to report that information to the OEO. A staff member from OEO will contact you to offer support and the opportunity to file an official complaint. The choice to file such a complaint is yours. To learn more about the OEO, discrimination, and sexual misconduct, watch this short video.
Guidance for Communication
When sharing:
- Use “I” language rather than speak for someone else
- Refrain from generalizing groups of people
- Refrain from speaking for someone else (allow them, and encourage them when appropriate, to speak for themselves)
- Avoid speaking about others when they are not present, if possible
- Pose questions when you don’t understand
- Own the impact of your words and actions
- Create space for feedback
When listening:
- Listen to hear and understand rather than to respond
- Avoid judgement or defensiveness
- Attempt to momentarily suspend your own perspective and agenda
- Allow space for a range of perspectives that may differ from your own
- Respect communication styles that may differ from your own
- Be curious and inquisitive
- Pay attention to explicit and non-verbal communication
- Check your immediate response (are you reacting, or have you taken time to process?)
- Respect silence
When responding:
- Pause
- Reflect a summary of what you heard
- Pose questions for clarity when you don’t understand or may have misunderstood
- Respond, rather than react
- When discussing potential blind spots, do so with compassion and respect
File an Official Report
Click here for detailed information on how to make an official report directly to the University regarding sexual assault, physical violence, a bias incident, property crime or theft, concerning behavior, discrimination, violations of the student code of conduct, academic misconduct, or environmental health and safety concerns.
Mental Health Services
The University Counseling Center offers free counseling services to students. Visit their website for detailed information on the various resources available and how to make an appointment.
If you or someone else you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.