The Cyclone community has a nice puzzle that we are all expected to use in our daily lives, both on campus and in our post-graduate adventures. This puzzle is the Principles of Community (PC), introduced during our initial onboarding as students or faculty/staff. This article is part one of a six-part series discussing this puzzle.
We see this PC information on posters and displayed on banners outside and around central campus. But what exactly do these mean? How do we apply these principles? Are the PC just things that look good on the wall? In this series, we will look at both positive and negative examples of the Principles applied in daily Cyclone life and explain why they are important to our university.
One of these puzzle pieces is the honest and respectful expression of ideas, and this idea is what this article will investigate. This is described on the university’s website as:
“The right to and the importance of a free exchange of ideas at Iowa State University within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. We work together to promote awareness of various ideas through education and constructive strategies to consider and engage in honest disagreements.”
Or, more simply put: don’t just tolerate others’ perspectives–hear them!
How does this look outside the classroom? Every day I hear conversations about academic and life differences being discussed along with innovative ideas learned around campus. One of those examples came after the Cyclone Cinema showing of “Anatomy of a Fall” during the spring 2024 semester. A group of students were discussing the merits of the arguments presented in the movie, both for and against the wife being guilty of murdering her husband. It was great to hear a critical analysis of an argument that did not take sides and only looked at the issues and facts presented. And while it was only a discussion over a movie, it was refreshing to see people come together on our campus to freely discuss and exchange ideas. This critical analysis is what I have come to expect from the Cyclone Community.
Another example of critical thinking and free expression outside the classroom comes from Ashley Woods, who graduated in 2024. Last semester, I authored an article about problem management in the on-campus apartments. This was read by many staff members working in the Department of Residence (DoR), including Woods.
Woods was a senior in Mechanical Engineering, completing an MBA, and employed as a resident assistant (RA) living in Frederiksen Court. I had the privilege of having a class with Woods, during which she mentioned this article.
Woods shared her understanding of the article and sought to discuss it with those sitting nearby. After discovering I was the author she turned into an inquisitive fact finder. Her main interest was in what solutions could be used to resolve the problem and future similar issues. She is a great example of how someone can discuss controversial issues both honestly and respectfully. Her communication skills are going to be a great asset in her career along with her ability to discover new information in positive and non-confrontational ways. Woods had this positive reaction, which is the opposite of a normal defensive attitude some people have. Think about what your reaction would be if you read something negative about your workplace or family: would you be able to discuss just the facts without being emotionally invested? Woods is a great example of why I believe the PC are crucial to our campus community.
Having explored these examples of honesty and free expression at Iowa State, I hope they provide a useful guide for what the puzzle piece of honest and respectful expression of ideas means. We all need to think about our daily lives and our interactions with others to identify if we are living up to the standard embodied in this puzzle piece.
