Lit!Commons Terms of Agreement
Updated March 20, 2024
The Loft Literary Center maintains this website, any courses offered and other linked and related sites (the “Site”) for the use of its customers, vendors, students, and other Site users (“Users”) upon agreement to the following terms. Please read the terms carefully before using the Site. Use of this website indicates acceptance of these “Terms of Use” and forms a binding agreement between you and The Loft Literary Center. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use this Site.
1. Use of Site
The Loft Literary Center and our contract teaching artists provide various materials, information, quizzes, tests, questions, articles, news and other information on this and related sites and in courses offered through this site (the “Materials”). The Loft Literary Center authorizes each User to view and download one copy of the Materials. Materials may be downloaded and a maximum of one copy of the Materials may be printed provided that Users make no modifications to the Materials. Loft Teaching Artists retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the original Materials and on any copies of the Materials. Users may not modify the Materials at this Site in any way or reproduce, share or distribute them. Users will keep all Materials confidential, and will not sell, auction, loan, rent, give away, describe, summarize, or otherwise reveal the Materials or their contents, to any other person or entity. Any breach of these Terms of Use automatically terminates your authorized use of the Site.
2. Trademark and Copyright
The Loft Literary Center and Lit!Commons, as well as certain other brands, trademarks, and service marks are marks of The Loft Literary Center. The contracted teaching artists are providing their Materials as licensed through the Loft. Both Loft and Teaching Artist Materials on this Site are copyrighted, and any unauthorized use of any Materials on this Site may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.
Original student work is also considered protected work. While it is not subject to copyright claims since we do not consider it published when shared on this private learning space, it is still the sole intellectual property of the student. Any misuse or copying of student work is strictly prohibited.
3. Hyperlinks
Links to external websites are provided solely as a convenience to you. The Loft has not reviewed all of these external websites, does not control and is not responsible for any of these sites or their content. If you decide to access any of the external websites linked to this Site, you do so entirely at your own risk.
4. No Warranty
The Materials provided at this site are provided “as is” without any warranties of any kind including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property. The Loft further does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the Materials at this Site. The Loft or its contract teaching artists may make changes to the Materials at this Site, or to the services and prices described in them, at any time without notice. The Materials at this Site may be out of date, and the Loft makes no commitment to update the Materials at this Site.
5. Limitation of Liability
In no event will The Loft Literary Center, its suppliers or contract teaching artists, or other third parties mentioned at this Site be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, those resulting from rejection from publishers or other institutions, interruption of services, or inaccurate information) arising out of the use, inability to use, or the results of the use of this Site, any websites linked to this Site, or the Materials or information contained at any or all such sites, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory and whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages. If your use of the Materials or information from this Site results in the need for servicing, repair or correction of equipment or data, you assume all costs thereof.
6. Cancellations and Refunds
Refunds for a month-by-month subscription purchase must be made within 3 days of purchase. Annual subscriptions may be refunded within 30 days of purchase minus $99 for the first month. After 30 days, refunds are not available for the annual service. The service can be cancelled through your account anytime, but refunds must be requested by contacting the Loft at [email protected] or 612-379-8999.
7. Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Mission
The Loft advances the power of writers and readers to craft and share stories, to create and celebrate connections, and to build just, life-sustaining communities.
Vision
We envision a world where the power of the word liberates minds, deepens
relationships, and inspires movements for people and planet. As an antiracist organization, the Loft develops literary experiences for writers, readers, and storytellers because racism dehumanizes people, and poetry and stories deepen our connection to our shared humanity. Recognizing the relationship between race, power, and resources, we prioritize the engagement of BIPOC/marginalized communities and work for the equitable distribution of our power and resources.
Core Values
Creativity: We advance the craft and capacity of writers to create across diverse forms and platforms. We are adaptive and cultivate the conditions that allow for our imaginations and our humanity to thrive.
Connection: Our literary experiences cultivate belonging and inclusivity. We recognize our interdependence and accountability to community. We draw on the wisdom of our ancestors to build resilience and consider the impact of our actions on future generations.
Justice: We recognize that oppression, colonization, and extractive economies threaten life in our communities and on our planet. We are committed to antiracist, equitable, and life-sustaining practices in our literary offerings and our approach to work.
Care: We center people and promote a culture of wellness in all aspects of our work.
Courage: We meet discomfort, fear, complexity, anxiety, trauma, and uncertainty with radical openness, generosity of spirit, and love. We continually evolve our skillfulness.We recognize the value of generative conflict. We cultivate trust-based relationships with people and values-based relationships with money.
Curiosity: We play, practice, and experiment. We recognize that joy and ongoing learning are necessary for innovation, restoration, and resilience.
8. Code of Conduct
The Loft is committed to providing a harassment-free space for all students, conference attendees, staff members, volunteers, and program participants regardless of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, appearance, race, ethnicity, age, religion, class, or identity. We expect participants to treat each other with respect in all interactions.
Harassment could include:
deliberate intimidation
repeated disruption of classes, lectures, or discussions
unwelcome physical contact
unwelcome sexual attention
verbal comments or displayed images that harmfully reinforce structures of oppression
written contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene letters, notes, invitations
verbal contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs, epithets, jokes about gender-specific traits, sexual propositions
visual contact, such as leering or staring at another's body, gesturing, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures
Continuing to express sexual or social interest after being informed directly that the interest is unwelcome
Using sexual behavior to control, influence or affect the career, salary or work environment of another
Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or critique in good faith. Reading and writing, by their nature, include exposure to controversial, challenging, and sometimes offensive language.
Anyone asked to stop harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately. Those violating these expectations may be expelled at the discretion of Loft staff.
If you are experiencing harassing behavior, report it to a staff member or teaching artist as soon as possible. All incidents will be brought to the Loft’s executive director. She will follow the Loft’s harassment protocol which may include removing an offender from a program without a refund, reimbursement, or pay.
Loft Harassment Protocol
All complaints of sexual harassment and retaliation for reporting or participating in an investigation will be directed to the executive director either in writing or by requesting an individual interview. If the executive director is the subject of the complaint, the Chair of the Board of Directors must be notified. All complaints shall be handled as confidentially as possible. The complaints will be promptly reviewed and resolved.
When the ED receives a complaint she will take the following steps.
Interview people involved as well as any witnesses
Ask any employee/volunteer/program participant found to have violated this policy to immediately stop the offending behavior
Respect issues of confidentiality and due process
Follow appropriate disciplinary action including warnings, reprimands, suspension, discharge, removal from event without refund, reimbursement, or pay according to the findings of the complaint research
Involve the police when necessary or requested
If sexual harassment has occurred, hold the harasser legally liable for their actions under state or federal anti-discrimination laws or in separate legal actions
Any program participant/staff/volunteer/contractor bringing a sexual harassment complaint or assisting in investigating such a complaint will not be adversely affected in terms and conditions of employment, or discriminated against or discharged because of the complaint. Complaints of such retaliation will be promptly investigated.
9. Removal of disruptive students
As with any Loft class or event, the Loft reserves the right to refuse registration or participation of anyone disruptive to the Lit!Commons environment or disrespectful of the teaching artist, fellow students, or an equitable learning environment for all.
10. Applicable Law
The Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the state of Minnesota, United States. Failure to enforce strict performance of the Terms of Use of Use shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. The Loft may assign its rights and duties under the Terms of Use without notice to any party at any time.
11. Effective Date and Updates
The Terms are effective as of March 20, 2024 and are subject to change without notice by The Loft Literary Center at any time. Please check for changes regularly. Your use of this Site after such changes constitutes your agreement to such changes.