Aggie Westies Code of Conduct

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Safe Space

The Aggie Westies Social Club is committed to being a safe place for self-expression without fear of judgement. We accept all dancers regardless of age, race, gender, sexual identity, size, disability, dance ability, dance role, or any other forms of identity.

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Respecting Others

• Be respectful of those around you on the dance floor. If you bump into someone, apologize. If you hurt someone, apologize, and also try to figure out how you can keep it from happening again. This might mean not dancing with them again, or talking to your teacher. 

• Respect other people’s boundaries. We can do some crazy things around here, but just because you see someone do something with someone else doesn’t mean they will want to do it with you! This applies to everything from close dance holds to moves like dips, flirty conversations or just agreeing to dance. If you aren’t sure of someone’s boundaries, or can’t tell from their nonverbal cues, then ask them. If you misjudge, and they ask you to stop, either verbally or nonverbally (such as with a facial expression or body language cue), then stop. 

 

Consent

• You can decline to dance with anyone for any reason. This principle is essential for creating an environment where people feel safe. 

• Forcing someone to dance while ignoring their refusal or without asking their permission is unacceptable and is considered harassment. 

 

Harassment

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable or harassing behavior:  

• Aggie Westies is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, dance skill level, or dance role. We do not tolerate harassment from event participants in any form. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers or the course instructors.

• Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to:

  • Offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, dance skill level, or dance role

  • Sustained disruption of events or unwelcome sexual attention

  • Inappropriate physical contact

  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following

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Consequences of unacceptable behavior

• Anyone asked to stop unacceptable or harassing behavior is expected to do so immediately. Actions that compromise the safe and respectful environment of this event are not acceptable from any member of our community: attendees, teachers, judges, performers, volunteers or staff. Depending on the severity of the offense, event organizers’ interventions in response to a problem may range from talking to the perpetrator and asking them to do or not do something, to asking them to leave the venue immediately without warning, compensation or refund. These conversations or actions may take place in private, if that seems appropriate to the situation. If you see additional problems after you or someone else spoke with us initially, we’d like to hear about them too. We want this to be a place that everyone can enjoy. We are grateful for your help and commitment to making our shared environment safe for everyone.

 

Feedback

• Offering unsolicited feedback is not permitted. Doing so can be detrimental not only to that person’s dancing, but also ruin their outlook on dancing in general and the positivity they bring to the dance floor.

  • The only exemption to giving unsolicited feedback is when it is given to prevent injury or harm to self or other dancers. In this case, alert your partner that they are hurting you or are endangering someone else. If the issue continues, alert an instructor to help correct the issue.

• If your partner asks for feedback, feel free to tell them what you feel or observe in their dance. If your partner asks for specific instruction or fixes for their dance, please direct them to one of the designated instructors. This ensures that the instruction dancers receive is correct and consistent. 

 

Aggie Westies Responsibilities and Limitations

As a student organization we can and will involve ourselves in all of the harassment/discrimination issues listed above, particularly if they occur on the premises. We cannot, however, get involved in interpersonal issues and feuds. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment for everyone and will not allow negativity to deter our mission to bring dance to everyone.

 

This document was developed by the Aggie Westie Officers for the Aggie Westie Club.  The content for this document was drawn from codes of conduct written by Kay Newhouse and Dance Jam Productions, Mobtown Ballroom, Boston Lindy Hop, Black Hat, and Austin Swing Syndicate.