CDCE Terms of Participation

To ensure that all students, faculty, staff, and employers are treated with dignity and respect, students and alumni using services offered by CDCE are expected to uphold appropriate standards of behavior and to respect the rights and privileges of others.

Whether face to face or virtual, all individuals using the resources and services of CDCE agree to the following responsibilities:

Communication & Interactions

Be professional and respectful in all correspondence and interactions with CDCE staff, other students, faculty, and potential employers, whether face to face or virtual.

• Be an active listener, pay attention to what the other person has to say, pay attention to their body language, and try to understand their perspective rather than preparing your rebuttal.
• Openly receive, apply, and share constructive feedback.
• Be optimistic, polite, courteous, and kind.
• Be conscientious of your verbal and non-verbal behavior, and avoid negativity or foul language.
• Be clear and concise in the message you wish to share
• Do not be too casual in your communication, address correspondence using proper salutation, until otherwise told and proofread your emails and other electronic messages to ensure standard grammar and punctuation guidelines are satisfied. When communicating electronically, use a professional email address (typically consisting of some combination of your first and last name and a number or numbers).
• Consider the most appropriate or effective medium to communicate your message (email, phone call, face to face, etc.).
• Dress appropriately. Career events and interviews typically require business professional attire unless otherwise noted.

Appointments, Workshops, & Presentations

• Arrive on time and prepared for appointments and presentations with CDCE or employers.
• Arrive 15 minutes early and dressed professionally for Mock Interview appointments.
• Cancel appointments at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.
• Provide accurate and complete information on all career materials (e.g., Handshake, resume, cover letter, etc.).
• Turn cell phones to silent and give your full attention to your Career Coach or presenter.

Career Events

• For career events where RSVPs are required, RSVP through Handshake. If you can no longer attend an event, you must cancel your RSVP by the cancellation deadline listed in the event description on Handshake. Pay special attention to the Career Event No-Show Policy and no show fees for particular events.
• Turn cell phones to silent and give your full attention to the employer.
• Dress appropriately.

Employer Engagement

• Respond promptly to all correspondence with employers.
• Prepare for interactions with employers by researching the company and/or industry.
• Provide accurate and complete information in all correspondence with employers.

Interviews & Job Offers

• If you are invited to an organization for an interview and do not plan to attend, decline the invitation with the employer either verbally or in writing as soon as possible (preferably at least 24 hours in advance of the interview).
• Always respond to every offer of employment, whether you accept or reject it.
• If you accept an offer of employment, withdraw any pending applications when possible and cancel any upcoming interviews.

Technology Use

• Be respectful and professional in your public comments on platforms, such as Handshake, which allow you to engage with employers or other professionals.
• Be conscientious of the nature and permanence of the digital world and of the long-term implications of your online behavior.

Inappropriate Conduct Defined

All patrons are expected to exhibit appropriate conduct at all times in any interaction or correspondence with CDCE, whether face to face or virtually. Conduct viewed as inappropriate or disruptive includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Conduct presents a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of self, staff, other students, or employers (physical or psychological) in CDCE.
• Conduct presents harm to property (physical or virtual) in CDCE.
• Conduct is disruptive to the orderly processes and functions of the CDCE office or program.
• Conduct is deceitful, intimidating, or threatening.
• Conduct is inconsistent with the practice of this office.

Consequences of Inappropriate Conduct

Failure to adhere to the aforementioned Terms of Engagement could result in the following consequences.

• Level 1 – staff can cease meeting and ask student to leave; hang up phone; and delete inappropriate comments online.
• Level 2 – repeated (twice) inappropriate conduct that staff have had to address; will not schedule additional appointment pending meeting with Director/Executive Director
• Level 3 – repeated inappropriate conduct and Director/Executive Director have addressed concerns. Non-compliant with directives from level 1 & 2. Will send referral to UWF Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) and suspend all services pending outcome of OSRR Conduct Process.

Please direct any questions or comments regarding these terms to the CDCE Director, Lindsey Walk, lwalk@uwf.edu. Additionally, if you feel as if these terms have not been upheld by a CDCE staff member or employer, please contact the CDCE Director, Lindsey Walk, lwalk@uwf.edu.

UWF is committed to providing all students the opportunity to share concerns and complaints with the University community in order to assist in reaching resolutions that are fair. Please visit the UWF Dean of students website for more information.