McGeorge School of Law Civility Principles — Academic Year 2024-2025

  1. Remember our commonality while respecting difference. We have shared goals but achieve them differently.
  2. Embrace a growth mindset. View what seems like a setback as a learning opportunity.
  3. Engage in active listening. Rather than listening to respond, hear what is being said by others and reflect on it. Listen to understand.
  4. Understand the value of having perspectives different from your own. Respect and consider different points of view while being true to your own moral compass.
  5. Express disagreement respectfully and with ideas as opposed to personalized disagreement. Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements.
  6. Be mindful of non-verbal cues such as posture and eyerolls.
  7. Practice grounding techniques to assist with responding appropriately to emotionally charged discussions.
  8. Strive to maintain an open mind and to remain intellectually curious. Ask respectful, clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the perspectives of others.
  9. Remember that law school is a professional school and behave accordingly both in and out of the classroom.
  10. Respect each other’s time. Be efficient in group study sessions and be aware that pressures others may feel are different from your own.
  11. Embrace the Golden Rule of treating others as you would want to be treated.