Background

Conestoga College is committed to providing its students with a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment.

To this end, in winter 2008, a Student Life Programmer was hired by the College’s Student Life department. This was a position supported by Conestoga Students Inc., the student association. A part of the position’s role was to research, develop and oversee a student Respect Campaign.

In January 2008, a cross-college group of students, Conestoga Student Inc., and College employees were invited to participate on a committee to develop the strategy for the Respect Campaign.

During summer 2008, the promotional pieces for the Campaign was developed with the leadership of a Graphic Design student. Conestoga's Respect Campaign was officially launched in September 2008.

The Campaign made its official introduction at Orientation, and has proved a strong force in spreading its message of Respect on campus through its Respect video presentation. The presentation provides an honest set of student stories, providing knowledge about the demographics of students at Conestoga. Through knowledge of our fellow students, hopefully all members of our College community will be able to understand and hopefully better Respect each other.

The Respect Campaign aims to:

• Reinforce the good behaviours already established on our campus
  
• Develop awareness of the impact of disrespectful behaviours
  
• Encourage action by providing students with the tools to act as leaders and role models of the campaign message
  
• Encourage courtesy, respect and civility as topics of discussion among the student body on campus.

To learn more about the Respect Campaign, contact Ryan Connell, Student Life Programmer, at respect@conestogac.on.ca.