{"id":21918,"date":"2023-07-18T08:47:33","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T12:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/citl\/?page_id=21918"},"modified":"2026-04-30T11:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:40:13","slug":"suggested-language-to-promote-compassion-and-belonging-in-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/citl\/homepage\/instructional-resources\/teaching-resources-2\/suggested-language-to-promote-compassion-and-belonging-in-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Suggested Language to Promote Compassion and Belonging in the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

In addition to\u00a0 the<\/span> required syllabus language <\/span><\/a>needed on all syllabi at UMaine, many faculty are using the syllabus as a place of first impressions and to begin building community, and using other course documents to echo beliefs about inclusion and belonging.\u00a0 Read on to learn about why these strategies are helpful and some examples of language that communicates support and acceptance in your classroom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in building more inclusive syllabi for your courses or for your department?\u00a0 Take <\/span><\/i>our self-assessment<\/span><\/i><\/a> to identify areas for growth, <\/span><\/i>schedule a consultation<\/span><\/i><\/a> to review your syllabus or have <\/span><\/i>CITL provide<\/span><\/i><\/a> our inclusive syllabus workshop at your next departmental meeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Why use inclusivity language in your teaching?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Inclusivity statements should reflect your own position, beliefs, or approaches to the value of diversity and your efforts towards creating learning spaces of belonging. Even short statements can inform students in your class of the type of interactions and dynamics they can expect during the semester. Inclusivity statements can help create a welcoming space for diverse learners and lead to greater sense of community, which in turn can result in better student engagement, learning and student retention. Although research supports that choice of language and other gestures alone can influence student experiences in the classroom (Harnish and Bridges, 2011; Fuentes et al., 2021, Gin et al., 2021, Nusbaum et al., 2021; Howansky et al., 2022, Maimon et al., 2022), it is important that your course climate and policies mirror these statements. Please be intentional and genuine with your choice of language, and use statements that you truly believe in and will be reflected in your course policies, documents, and practices. <\/span><\/p>\n

How can you incorporate inclusive language in your teaching practice?<\/b><\/h3>\n

When creating inclusivity statements for your syllabi, it is important that your words are authentic to you and the course. The recommendations below are a starting point only. As the course instructor, you should decide what additional or different information to include and how.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We encourage you to add, edit, or abridge the suggested language below to best fit your personal teaching style, the learning goals of the course, and the specific circumstances shaping yours and learners\u2019 experiences. Here are some additional considerations in structuring inclusivity statements for your course documents.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n