[Imc] Personnel Policy

[Mike Lehman]

Below is the final draft of the Personnel Policy. Section One may be
updated in the future to reflect adherence to an IMC Mission Statement
when it is finalized.

We will move to adopt this policy at the next Steering Group meeting
which has a quorum.
Mike Lehman

Personnel Policy Proposal-Final Draft

1. The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center promotes the use of the
U-C IMC and its media by diverse and underrepresented individuals and
groups. Given the wide range of individuals who may use the Center and
its resources, it is important to remind all members, staff, and users
of the importance of respecting the opinions of others and their life
choices, even when they don’t agree with one’s own views.

2. The U-C IMC expects all members, staff, and users of its facility and
resources to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of
diverse and conflicting views by avoiding purely personal conflict and
in a manner which upholds the reputation of the U-C IMC as a welcoming
center of community activity.

3. If any member, staff, or user of the U-C IMC feels that another
member, staff, or user of the U-C IMC or its resources acts in such a
manner that they feel does not comply with the above stated policy, they
may approach any spokesperson of the Steering Group, with whom they feel
comfortable about bringing their problem to, with their concern(s).

4. The spokesperson can proceed in either an informal manner or a formal
manner, based on dialogue with the complaining party and other
spokespersons, about what would be the best way to satisfactorily
resolve the complainant’s concern.

5. If the spokesperson, in consultation with other spokespersons, and
complainant agree that informal action will work best to resolve the
issue, the spokesperson will act to do so by contacting the other
parties in the dispute to effect a satisfactory resolution of the issue.

6. If it is determined by the spokesperson, in consultation with other
spokespersons, and the complainant that formal action by the Steering
Group is necessary to resolve a concern, it will hold a hearing on the
issue during an open session of the Steering Group meeting.

7. A complainant may also bring their concerns directly to the Steering
Group as a whole. In this case, action on a particular concern may have
to be postponed until a later meeting in order that those involved can
be contacted and facts regarding the concern ascertained.

8.Parties to the complaint must be notified, to the extent possible, of
the time and nature of the hearing so that they have an opportunity to
present their view of the issues involved.

9. The Steering Group will take official action based on testimony of
the parties involved, any relevant witnesses and evidence, and
discussion by the Steering Group.

10. In formulating official action, the Steering Group will take into
consideration the nature of the concern, any informal or formal action
previously taken regarding the concern, and the impact on the mission
and membership of the U-C IMC of the concern in question.

11. Official action taken by the Steering Group can range from a simple
request that the offending behavior cease, up to, and including,
revocation of membership and/or banning from the premises of the U-C IMC
and use of any of its resources, to include use of the U-C IMC Newswire,
U-C IMC mailing lists, and other resources and programming that the U-C
IMC has control over.