DGI Class Expectations and Code of Conduct

Here at the Dramatists Guild Institute, we ask that you attend each session, and participate in the discussions, since we’ll all learn from each other.

The class will be filled with dramatists across all levels of experience, so we should all endeavor to be as inclusive and generous as possible. We’d like you to arrive for the course on time and prepared to get to work; we also ask that you stay for the entire session.

While we all enjoy using social media, we’d like to consider the classroom a safe space for work and discussion; therefore, we ask that you unplug from your personal electronics for the duration of the sessions and refrain from posting specifics about the course or your fellow participants on social media platforms.

We ask that any issues that may arise during the course, with the subject matter, instructors, or fellow dramatists, be directed to the instructors outside of the sessions themselves.

If there are issues with your instructor(s), we ask that you address the issues immediately with one of the following: Director of DGI, Tari Stratton; Director of Business Affairs at the Dramatists Guild, Ralph Sevush or Director of Creative Affairs and Membership at the Dramatists Guild, Emmanuel Wilson.

Please plan to be on time and prepared at the start of each class session.  If you need to arrive late or leave early for any reason, please let the instructor know beforehand. Being late or often absent from a course could weigh in our decision when you register for future classes;

If you need to be absent from class, the session cannot be recorded for future viewing, due to copyright issues.  You should either ask the instructor for the discussion points or request one of your fellow students take notes for you;

Please ensure you understand how to use Zoom and its features before your first class; if you have issues with your technology outside of Dramatists Guild office hours, you should troubleshoot with Zoom directly;

Please do not click your Zoom link until fifteen minutes before your class is to start. With so much activity, our Zoom accounts are stretched to the limit. We very carefully schedule our meetings, as a Zoom account can only facilitate one meeting at a time. When you click a link to ‘see if it works,’ thereby initiating your meeting outside of the scheduled times, you can accidentally prevent another scheduled class from taking place. There have now been several instances of classes not being able to move forward, or having to be re-scheduled, due to these conflicts. If you need to confirm that you can use Zoom on your computer, please check out these tutorials on the Zoom website or feel free to watch this video put together by the DG staff.

Each instructor will work hard to build a safe community where you can explore your thoughts, writing, and creativity. Therefore, we ask that you don’t share your Zoom link to invite other non-DGI participants, unless cleared with the instructor;

All instructors are subject to change due to professional or personal reasons.  We will notify you of any change as quickly as we learn of it. If there is a change of date or instructor substitution, we will find someone equally qualified;

Each instructor or visiting artist will set the rules for engagement, such as how and when to ask questions, and  how and when to offer responses to creative work.  Instructors have been asked to establish a format and protocol for feedback, which they will share in the first class, but may be amended throughout the semester to meet the needs of the class.  Please adhere to the instructor’s guidelines, as they are created to ensure a positive, encouraging, equitable, and educational experience for everyone.  Please try to be as clear and concise in your feedback as possible, keeping in mind that others may want to share their feedback as well.

Be kind to one another; personal attack under the guise of response to creative work can’t be tolerated. The DGI believes in the open and receptive exchange of ideas - during class sessions, you may be asked to consider ideas that seem ‘wrong’ to you; we ask that you keep an open mind throughout your semester;

Instructors are available during class time only; if there are questions that can’t be answered inside of class time, or that arise for you before the next session, you may be able to speak with the Instructor at a mutually-agreed upon time, but there is no obligation on the Instructor’s part to meet students outside of class, engage in extended conversation via email, or to read work other than course assignments;

Respect your colleagues and instructors, and their diversity, at all times. Our differences allow us to contribute to a dynamic and productive Institute;

To protect the well-being of all students, there is no tolerance for inappropriate verbal conduct with other students or the instructor. Harassment or hate speech, in any form, will not be tolerated and punitive action will be taken towards the offender, including, but not limited to, expulsion from class, suspension from the certificate program, or removal of all DGI registration privileges. Inappropriate behavior shall be identified at the sole and exclusive discretion of the instructor.  When necessary, DGI directors may become involved. 

If you would like to read more about the Guild’s harassment policies, please visit to the following webpage:  https://www.dramatistsguild.com/sexual-harassment-policy-and-resources. 

To be clear, regardless of legal definitions, no student or teacher should have to tolerate harassment of any kind, from any other teacher or student; signed or anonymous complaints can be mailed to the Guild or emailed to one of the following: Director of DGI, Tari Stratton; Director of Business Affairs at the Dramatists Guild, Ralph Sevush or Director of Creative Affairs and Membership at the Dramatists Guild, Emmanuel Wilson.

National and religious holidays are at the discretion of DGI instructors and faculty. Please plan accordingly and confer with your instructor if you have concerns regarding attendance as a result of a holiday;

The Dramatists Guild and the DGI believe writers should be paid for their work; therefore, on occasion, you may be asked to purchase supplemental materials for your class.  When work isn’t published, you may be provided PDFs, by permission of the author.  Please ensure that the material isn’t shared outside of your class without written consent – it’s important that we promote the value of work by protecting copyright and preventing unpaid dissemination;

The DGI complies with all provisions of the American with Disabilities Act (1990, as amended) and strives to address all guidelines.  Please alert us to any particular needs you may have;

DGI has a no-refund policy.  We know, however, that unforeseen circumstances can suddenly arise.  If a student drops their class before or immediately after the first session, they are entitled to a credit equal to the full cash amount; if a student drops the class after second or third session, they are entitled to a 50% credit; if a student drops class after the fourth session, they are no longer entitled to a credit. Cash or course credits must be used in the semester immediately following the affected semester; credits cannot be carried over past that, unless through express written approval by the director of DGI.

By enrolling, paying for, and accepting placement in a class at the DGI, you agree that you have read and understand these policies.