JULIANA STUMPP
STAFF WRITER

CSUSM’s Civility Campaign celebrated Civility Week from Feb. 6 – 9 in an effort to spread a positive message to students, professors and faculty.

The Dean of Students formed the Civility Campaign last semester in an effort to remove negativity and regenerate civility in the community.

“Our goal is to reestablish the normal, so that the students are accountable for the students, as opposed to the administration stressing good behavior,” student ambassador for the Civility Campaign, Sammi Carr, said.

During Civility Week, each day had a certain theme reflecting what the campaign best represents.

In the University Village Apartments, small door hangers were placed on each door explaining the day’s theme with a quote by an influential figure that embodies civility. The four themes were respect, empathy, care and forgiveness.

Being a relatively new organization on campus, the Civility Campaign has received a great response.

“It’s been cool seeing the open participation. Everyone seems interested and excited about the campaign,” Carr said.

Many clubs on campus are supporting the campaign, including Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), which partners with Civility.

The Civility Campaign was first introduced to incoming students during the summer orientation for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Orientation team members continue to show their support by wearing the green Civility shirt on the first Tuesday of every month.

However, you don’t have to be on the Orientation Team or in ASI to offer your encouragement. The green Civility shirts are available to students at all Civility Campaign events.

Another way to get involved in the campaign is through Civility Champions, where you nominate a student, professor or faculty member who deserves to be noticed for their outstanding civil behavior in the San Marcos community.

In addition, Positive Personals is a way for students to send a positive message to someone they admire. The messages appear in the monthly ASI magazine.

“Everyone is looking for what’s normal or how they can fit in. We want to have civility become normal by changing campus culture. Civility is a beautiful thing. It doesn’t mean everyone has to be best friends but just be civil with one another,” Carr said.

The campaign will host a Civility Showcase offering food, music and free green shirts on March 6.