RIT Recognizes International Conflict Resolution Day with Campus Civility Expert Oct. 21

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Civility activist P.M. Forni will address the RIT community Oct. 21.

In light of the recent tragedy at Rutgers University involving a student whose personal life played out on the Internet, administrators at Rochester Institute of Technology are proactively reminding the community about the importance of civility on campus.

In recognition of International Conflict Resolution Day, RIT is hosting free presentations by one of the country’s foremost experts on community civility. The talks are the first in RIT’s Principles of Community Lecture Series.

P.M. Forni, professor at Johns Hopkins University and co-founder of The Johns Hopkins Civility Project, will present:

• For the entire RIT community: “Civility on Campus in the Age of the Internet,” 10 a.m. Oct. 21, Ingle Auditorium, Student Alumni Union

• For RIT faculty and staff (Center for Professional Development offering): “The Cost of Incivility in the Workplace,” 2 p.m. Oct. 21, Campus Center Bamboo Room

• For RIT students: “Civility: What’s in it For You?” 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Skalny Room, Schmitt Interfaith Center

“P.M. Forni is passionately engaged in research and critical ways of thinking deeply and broadly about civility in our communication, behaviors and interactions,” says RIT President Bill Destler, co-sponsor of the civility talk. “At this time, in particular, his message is extremely relevant and poignant. I heartily encourage our community members to attend at least one of Dr. Forni’s engaging and important talks.”

Forni co-founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project. According to the website, the project is an “aggregation of academic and community outreach activities aimed at assessing the significance of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society.” He now directs The Civility Initiative at Johns Hopkins.

Over the years, Forni has illustrated the connections among civility, ethics and quality of life. In his lectures and workshops, he talks about the rewards of fostering a culture of civility in today’s workplace and campus settings.

His books include Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct (2002) and The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude (2008). His work on civility has been recognized in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Forbes magazine. He has also appeared on CBS’ Sunday Morning, The Oprah Winfrey Show and BBC’s Outlook.

The series is presented in collaboration with RIT’s Office of the President, Ombuds Office, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of the Provost, Student Affairs, Finance and Administration, Residence Life, Wallace Center, Center for Women and Gender, and Staff Council.

For more information about the series, call 475-2876.