Shoreline Community College now has a Community Standard Statement, a strong affirmation that the campus is a place where all people can come to learn and work in a supportive environment.

“It is our core value that everyone who comes to this campus feels respected and supported,” President Cheryl Roberts said. “This happens when we are open to learning and willing to walk with others on their journey.”

The Community Standard Statement effort began a year ago following incidents of hate and intolerance demonstrated through defacement of posters for the Project Pride and the Muslim Student Association, two student body association-sponsored clubs. The incidents brought immediate responses from President Roberts, who called together employees and students to discuss potential courses of action. Out of those discussions, a committee was formed to create and implement a community standard regarding intolerance.

“The committee included voices from across campus and reflected thoughtful and diligent work and commitment,” Roberts said. “This was an iterative process in shaping the statement that involved the college community through forums, department and division meetings and an online survey.”

When the committee was formed, Roberts asked members to work in four areas:

• Develop a Community Standard Statement
• Establish a Community Standard Policy
• Develop a college-wide respectful and inclusive community campaign
• Develop a protocol to respond to acts of hate and intolerance

“We have completed a legacy piece of work that will be the touchstone for creating the learning and working environment that supports our deeply held values of excellence in education, equity, inclusiveness and self-reflection,” Roberts said. “I am grateful for the committee’s willingness to craft each piece of this work together.”

Now, communications and materials that put the Community Standard Statement front and center will be created and distributed across campus. The statement is also an important element of the college’s campaign for the federal Title IX that will launch in late December.

“I am confident we have put together the key pieces necessary to create the environment we all aspire to as a college community,” Roberts said. “This will be a conversation we continue with new students, employees, and visitors as they enter the college, as well as inspire us to put these words into action in the work we do each day.”

Community Standard Statement

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly…” Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shoreline Community College is a place for students, employees, and the community to pursue excellence in education in an environment dedicated to equity, inclusiveness, and self-reflection. We value respectful, dynamic interactions and lively discussion. We strive to create an environment where everyone is supported and valued. Shoreline Community College does not tolerate hateful, violent, or discriminatory actions that target any person or group based on their beliefs, customs, identity, or affiliations. When one of us is diminished, all of us are diminished.

Creating the policy involved extensive input and discussion on campus starting more than a year ago through the College Council, the shared governance forum involving faculty, staff, students and administrators. Once drafted and recommended by the Council, it was reviewed by the state Attorney General’s office, which serves as legal counsel for the college. The policy was recommended by College Council on Oct. 20, 2015, it was presented to the Board of Trustees on Oct. 28 and it was approved by President Roberts on Oct. 30.

The policy says the college “strives to maintain a safe and productive learning and working environment for students, employees, and community members.” Weapons are described as, but not limited to:

• Any weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be ejected by explosive, such as gunpowder
• Any simulated or actual firearm operated by any mechanism, gas, or compressed air
• Any knife with a blade exceeding three inches in length and/or which opens or is ejected open by an outward, downward thrust or movement, or spring
• Any device, instrument, or object that is used with intent to cause or negligently results in risk of injury or damage to any person or property

The policy states: “Possession, carrying, or display of any weapon by any person, except a commissioned law enforcement officer, is prohibited on College property, in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, recreational facilities, dining facilities, child care facilities, or at any athletic, entertainment, or educational event.”

People who may have a valid concealed weapons permit are not exempt. In these cases, those with such permits and carrying a weapon “may secure such weapon inside their vehicle … provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is concealed from view.”

Personal protection spray devices as defined by state law are permitted on campus.

Procedures which have also been approved and adopted outline steps to be taken if a weapon is on campus. Reports of weapons should be made to Safety and Security on campus at 206-546-4499 or the 24-hour Safety and Security emergency line at 206-235-5860.

The procedures say that when a weapon is displayed on campus under any circumstance by an individual other than a commissioned law enforcement officer, local police shall be notified immediately by calling 9-1-1 and reporting the incident. After a report to 9-1-1 is completed, Safety and Security staff shall also be notified of the incident for any necessary investigation and action.

Weapons Policy and Procedures Links

• Policy
• Procedures