UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines Drafts Blueprint For Civility in Academia

(Guest speaker Susan Luparell. Photo by Walter Criswell/UND Today)

(By Walter Criswell. UND Today) – Like a house that’s stood too long without care, the foundation of a workplace or classroom can weaken over time. Small cracks can come not from catastrophic events, but from neglect — minor lapses in respect, patience or empathy that spread until the structure itself feels unstable.

For those in health and human services, this fragility can carry real consequences. Nurses who can’t communicate respectfully risk patient safety. Social workers who respond without empathy can lose the trust of their clients. Dietitians who dismiss a client’s concerns can undermine care before it begins.

Susan Luparell, a Montana State University professor and fellow of the Academy of Nursing Education, said the connection between behavior and outcomes begins long before students enter the workforce.

Luparell was on the UND campus to speak to faculty, staff and students from the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines about the importance of civility in educational and professional settings, and how her concept of civility extends beyond classroom decorum.