Policies

The Movement Cooperative focuses on giving Indiana University community members the opportunity to share, express, and educate others on various movement styles in a safe space. We wish to combat racism in dance by centering the creators and originators of the movement styles being taught. This allows us to understand and honor the work that we do as movers. We strive to promote inclusivity and accessibility for our movement classes, the instructors, and the participants in order to increase dance literacy and dance education.

While we aim for all classes to foster a fun and stress-free environment, we also recognize our responsibility in ensuring that the movement forms we engage in are understood with regards to the origins, cultural importance, and significance in today’s world. The Movement Cooperative does not wish to be a place of regression, but rather a space in which we can act as stewards for culture and education.

As a participant in MoCo’s events, you are expected to enter the movement/dance space with a mindset of learning and respect. Read through the following expectations.

1. Be respectful of other participants and our class leaders by showing up 5-10 minutes before the start of an event.
2. Be mindful of the space we are using — MoCo uses spaces belonging to several different entities on campus. Make sure you collect all of your belongings and clean up any trash or mess that has been made.
3. MoCo is very fortunate to borrow spaces belonging to other departments on campus. That being said, we are allotted only a specific amount of time to use these spaces. When the event has ended, we ask that you please exit the space and do not linger to take photos. We will get photos and videos to you within the week via email.
4. Xenophobia of any kind will not be tolerated and will be met with immediate conclusion of the event and denial of entrance to any future MoCo events, either as a class leader or attendee.

As a class leader, you must adhere to the following rules and policies. Please take the time to read through them carefully.

1. You are required to research and discuss the racial, cultural, national/international history of the dance styles you are teaching — how it originated to how it came to you. Appropriation and/or failure to give context is not tolerated and will result in denial to lead class with MoCo in the future.
2. You must arrive at least 15 minutes early prior to the start time of the event.
3. You are required to provide a sufficient warm-up to prevent dancer injury. 
4. Xenophobia of any kind will not be tolerated and will be met with immediate conclusion of the event and denial of entrance to any future MoCo events, either as a class leader or attendee.
5. While we encourage you to invite your friends, you are acting in an educational capacity as a representative for MoCo, who serves the greater IU student body. You are expected to create an encouraging environment for all attendees, regardless of experience. Some people who attend our events have never danced before. And some may require modifications depending on ability.

If you have any questions regarding the Movement Cooperative’s policies, have general questions, or need help researching, please reach out to us at mocoindiana@gmail.com. Thank you for helping us further dance in our community and moving (forward) with us!