A new report at the University of Iowa says everyone on campus needs to work harder to get along. The annual report by Ombudsperson Maile Sagen says there’s been a rise in incivility on campus in discussions among students, faculty and staff. She says what are supposed to be reasonable discussions have turned into shouting matches, physical and verbal intimidation or threats.Sagen says the problems at the U-of-I are not unique to the Iowa City campus, it’s a nationwide problem brought on by the pressure to succeed.She says the increased use of e-mail may also play a role, as people send messages they might not say in a face-to-face meeting.Sagen says the University is already taking steps to remedy the situation.The University has instituted training that teaches faculty and staff how to deal with one another in a civil manner. She says more training is planned in the fall when the students return. Sagen’s office received 331 reports of incivility this year — down one from last year in which there had been a dramatic increase in complaints.
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