DAI's Code of Conduct for Staff-Student Contacts

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Tutors at DAI are acknowledged practitioners and researchers, active and thriving in a multitude of glocal art and research contexts. For their contributions to the DAI's curriculum they have, in most cases, been hired as free-lancers, either directly by DAI itself or by our COOP partners whom we commisioned to curate and tutor one of the study groups. As such all DAI tutors work within well-defined, limited time frames.

Discussions and conversations between (a) student(s) and (a) tutor(s) take place within the given time frame of the DAI Confluences (or, in the case of the face-to-face meetings between second year students and theory tutors, during a limited number of online contacts which have been scheduled).

Tutors are not remunerated for, and can thus not be expected to engage in debates or dialogues with students outside of the given frame, not via e-mail nor otherwise.

If a conversation which started during a specific DAI Confluence needs continuation, this must be organized for the next DAI Confluence. Of course, students and tutors are welcome to send out mails in preparation of the next DAI Confluence as long as it is clear that tutors cannot be asked to spend more time than the communication around the next session requires.

If tutors decide to commit to conversations with students outside of the time frame that has been agreed upon (between the DAI and that tutor) this must be considered a private matter between tutor and student.

Disagreement 

A disagreement between (a) student(s) and (a)tutor(s) that cannot be dealt with in the contextual frame and/or the given time frame of the specific COOP study group, HTDTWT seminar or Kitchen or WEAVER setting and is in need of a prompt conclusion, must be shared with the education team leader of the curriculum component at hand, who will try to find a good solution, so that all can positively engage with the next DAI Confluence’s schedule. If necessary, the education team leader will consult with Gabriëlle Schleijpen, the head of program. If it is clear that the normal resuming of work relations has become very difficult, a hearing of all involved might be considered.

In case a student wishes to speak to an external confidential counsellor (member of https://www.lvvv.nl , working for all ArtEZ students, but not employed by the university):

• Erika Hendriks via info@erikahendriks.nl 

Support

If (a) tutor(s) has been informed by a specific student that they are experiencing personal hardships (mentally, financially or otherwise) and they are in urgent need of assistance from the part of the institution, the tutor will contact the artistic director& head of program Gabriëlle Schleijpen (alternatively: the tutor advises the student to contact her directly). She will take over responsibility from the tutor who is than kindly asked to refrain from further involvement in the matter at hand, as this is not included in the tutorial job description. Gabriëlle will offer the student a confidential conversation during which options for support will be explored, whereby one of the options will be to refer the student to the student counsellor of ArtEZ. Students are ofcourse welcome to seek for direct contact with Gabriëlle and/or, seek for direct contact with the student counsellor themselves. See also our Rights, Care and Support page. 

Safer Space - Braver Space

"To engage in dialogue is one of the simplest ways we can begin as teachers, scholars, and critical thinkers to cross boundaries, the barriers that may or may not be erected by race, gender, class, professional standing, and a host of other differences." bell hooks in Teaching to Transgress.

Tutors are bound to protect each student's privacy and sense of safety within the space of education. This implies that under no condition a tutor is entitled to share their opinion on personality traits, political viewpoints, or work- or study related achievements of any of the students enrolled at DAI with other students, when this student is not present in the room. In case the student is present in the room, the tutor at all times will take care of guiding discussions in such a way that all can express their thoughts without feeling bullied or otherwise disrespected. Which is not to say that there can be no disagreement or dissent. The opposite: all should feel protected enough to disagree with other students, with the tutor or tutorial team or with the program at large without having to fear for repercussions. That said: at DAI we are mindful of the problematics around the notion of "free speech" and it should go without words that (latent) discriminatory remarks or ignorant, insensitive behaviour need to be addressed, preferably by other students speaking up on the spot - but if speaking up in a direct way is too difficult or too painful there are several options: bring it to the COUNCIL, and / or bring it to the General Assembly. When confidentially is required/desired: bring it to the education team leaders Florian Göttke (HTDTWT) and Nikos Doulos (COOP), to Gabriëlle Schleijpen (head of program), or bring it to In-space. Students can also contact the external confidential counsellor provided by the overarching university and mentioned above. Check Rights, Care and Support, more specifically the DAI Awareness Document.

Tutors are expected to moderate discussions in such a way that talkative students will not be enabled to dominate the discussion at the expense of their more shy peers or non-native speakers, who may need extra encouragement or support to engage in a conversation with a native speaker.  

In case of a tutor feeling intimidated or disrespectfully treated by a student or group of students or (a) colleague(s); they are most welcome to contact the education team leader (Nikos Doulos for COOP and Florian Göttke for HTDTWT) or to reach out to Gabriëlle Schleijpen directly. Tutors are furthermore welcome to ask for psychological advice at DAI's In-space.

They can also contact the external confidential counsellors appointed by the ArtEZ University of the Arts to support employees when confronted with undesirable behavior in their work situation, such as bullying, discriminatory remarks, or (sexual) harassment,.

Close friendships

Studying and living together during our DAI Confluences encourages and strengthens amical and warm relationships between students and students, between students and (guest)tutors, between students and crew. At DAI we are proud of this beautiful conviviality. However: when, during DAI Weeks, students and members of our faculty or crew are hanging out together, outside of the actual classroom the DAI expects them to refrain from any form of intimacy at risk to be deformed by the uneven power balance between them. This extends to private settings, outside of the DAI frame, for as long as the student is registered as such and the tutor or crew member is also working for DAI. Such intimacy can potentially unsettle the trustworthiness and transparency of the "social contract" between student and tutor or crew, but also unsettle the sense of safety and equal treatment within the DAI's larger learning community. In case of any (suspected) conflict of interests the DAI will hold the tutor or crew member fully accountable for not respecting this guideline. The DAI aims for non-oppressive student-staff relations. The dignity of our students is thereby leading.