Here I Stand

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Click on the tabs above to link directly to the digital story, details about Stand4Stout t-shirt days, a printable copy of the pledge, information on the history described in the story or link to the Ally Center.

Still have questions about HERE I STAND? Check out the Q & A below.

Stand 4 Stout t-shirt day ... Tuesday, Nov 22.

Wear your Stand 4 Stout t-shirt on Tuesday, Nov 22. Come stand with us.

What is Here I Stand?

Here I Stand is a two minute digital story that shares Stout students' recent history of standing up against hate; showcases the positive characteristics that Stout community members stand for such as respect & integrity as selected by survey of 300 Stout community members; and finally, asks other community members to stand with us by indicating positive examples of actions and asking them to sign a pledge.

Where will Here I Stand be used?

This digital story will be shown at:

Blue RAH Orientation Event—Premiere!
Blue Devil Production Campus Movies—as a preview
Classroom settings
Outreach settings

After viewing the story, community members will be asked to sign a pledge where they indicate:

What they stand for and
How they will commit to their stand.

Following orientation, Stand 4 Stout T-shirt days will be publicized where those who signed the pledge will be asked to wear their shirts throughout the year. The first t-shirt day will be Friday, September 16.

Following orientation, the pledge (and remaining t-shirts) will likely be available through the Ally Center at the Bank, University Centers.

What are the expected outcomes of Here I Stand?

The vision for this project is grassroots, individually-focused. As a result the outcomes are to:

Set communal expectations of acceptance, particularly with first year students
Reinforce and operationalize positive behaviors and actions that individuals can take to create a welcoming community
Develop symbols/artifacts where individuals can show their support of inclusive initiatives and intolerance of hate
Identify a visual critical mass of quietly active supporters for people of color, under-represented populations and others of difference who may be challenged here.

Where did Here I Stand come from?

The New Student Orientation Committee was discussing ways to incorporate diversity into fall orientation in a meaningful way. How can we welcome all students and set a tone of respect for all? A small committee (Barb Miller, Emily Ascher and Amy McGovern) was formed based on an idea to develop a phase two of the Not Here campaign, Here I Stand for positive attributes.

Who picked the words?

The words: Integrity, Fairness, Creativity, Responsibility, Strength, Community, Disagreements with Civility, Action, Cooperation, Respect, were selected based on an electronic survey sent to various UW-Stout students, student employees, faculty and staff where they were asked to select 10 words that most characterized Stout from a list we provided. 300+ replied. The committee selected the words based on this survey with a notable exception.

Why is "disagree with civility" included as a positive attribute?

In a diverse community, a variety of worthy ideas and opinions exist, some at odds with others. We will disagree. This is the nature of groups and of communities. Successful intercultural community members learn how to manage that conflict such as:

respectfully standing up for ourselves,
compromising when we understand another's point has merit, and/or
changing our stance when we recognize our argument is flawed or wrong.

Conflict is at the core of understanding and learning about ourselves as diverse beings.

Who coordinated Here I Stand?

Barb Miller, Emily Ascher and Amy McGovern met to discuss the concept based on a draft script written by Amy. Additional committee members were added: Adam Ludwig, Jeremy Gregart, Grant Bauste & KaoLee Yang. This group identified students and staff members to serve as the models and voice talent, ideated the background photo schemes and identified music rights from a local band.

Who designed it?

Calvin Keyes, Adam Gunderson, Christine Pogatchnik, Jonathan Sollie, Cooper Whitescarver and Colin Schye designed the identifier and t-shirts, as well as, completed the photography and assembling of the digital story. Stephen Thoni designed the website.

Whose voice narrates it?

Jon-Christopher Catudio (Makai) provides the voice over talent.

What does the script say?

Here I Stand....
	Unique,
		 Thoughtful
			  Looking forward...
	
Honoring our past...
	 Students standing up for their friends.
		   Rallying against hate.
				Acts of bias, bullying and hate are not welcome!
					 Not HERE! Not at Stout!

Here I stand for...

Images(italics not spoken):

integrity,

fairness,

creativity,

responsibility,

strength,

STRENGTH,

community,

disagreements

disagreements with civility

action

cooperation,

		     respect,
			      respect for all,
			               RESPECT FOR ALL

Will you stand with us?

Chalkboard images (italics not spoken):

I will write messages on wipe boards—not hate filled words.

I will stop using names and slurs like retard or gay as insults.

I will include others!! I will make sure everyone in my study group knows the time and location when we meet.

I will stop laughing at inappropriate jokes and say something to friends who tell them.

I will take ACTION! I signed the pledge.

Committed to respect for all people.

Recognizing difference as an asset that contributes to our personal and collective growth.

Here, We can all stand together.