Community Norms

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) is committed to upholding Michigan State University’s core values of Excellence, Inclusiveness, and Connectivity.

Excellence: AFRE continually strives to deliver superior teaching, research and outreach
Inclusiveness: AFRE values diversity and welcomes everyone into our community
Connectivity: AFRE cultivates and strengthens relationships to improve lives

AFRE SPARTANS WILL strive for EXCELLENCE by:

Upholding the highest ethical standards in our professional and personal conduct
Being open to change while remaining grounded in MSU core values and mission
Engaging with each other with respect and sensitivity to power differentials
Regularly examining power differentials and ensuring that any that exist are used appropriately, taking into consideration the interests of both the department as a whole and individuals affiliated with AFRE
Supporting members of the AFRE community and rejecting all forms of discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and assault
Conducting ourselves in a professional manner in our interactions within our department, college, and broader community

AFRE SPARTANS WILL be INCLUSIVE by:

Acknowledging that our diversity is a source of strength
Rejecting discrimination in all of its forms
Respecting one another, especially when discussing controversial topics, while at the same time fostering healthy and productive debate of ideas and research topics
Ensuring that all groups in the department are appropriately represented in decisions that affect them
Not retaliating against those who bring up concerns or hold positions/opinions different from our own
Being mindful of cultural differences and recognizing biases

AFRE SPARTANS WILL strive for CONNECTIVITY by:

Cultivating open lines of communication at all levels of the AFRE community
Creating a supportive environment for all individuals of the AFRE community
Communicating personal and professional boundaries and avoiding assumptions and generalizations about people and their beliefs
Working to resolve conflict whenever possible
Using authority responsibly and only to advance the mission of AFRE, CANR and MSU

In 2021, AFRE’s DAC consulted with all groups/levels within the department (various faculty groups, staff, and students) to gather input and obtain feedback to develop these community norms, which are based on MSU’s core values of Excellence, Inclusiveness and Connectivity. These community norms were adopted unanimously by the department on September 15, 2021. It is the hope of the Department that this document will serve as the foundation for on-going efforts to build and cultivate a better community within and beyond AFRE. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.