Initial Publication Date: December 12, 2024

Code of Conduct for SERC Events

Dear Participant:

This workshop is supported all or in part by the National Science Foundation under Award No DUE 2433814.

We are required by the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (Chapter II.E.7) effective February 25, 2019 to provide all event participants with information on the University's policy on sexual and other forms of harassment or sexual assault as well as directions on how to report any violations of this policy. For purposes of this requirement, "other forms of harassment" is defined as "non-gender or non-sex-based harassment of individuals protected under federal civil rights laws, as set forth in organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations or executive orders."

SERC Events are those supported by grants where a SERC staff member is the lead PI, and those that take place on the Carleton College campus with SERC in a supporting role. SERC is involved in a myriad of other events where the relevant codes of conduct are those provided by the project leadership and/or the local institution, rather than the code described below. SERC encourages project leaders and participants to clearly identify the relevant guidelines and procedures for their events.

All participants in SERC events – including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, SERC staff, members of the media, vendors, and service providers (hereinafter "participants") – are expected to abide by this SERC Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies in all venues, including field trips, webinars, ancillary events and social gatherings, and on-line forums and discussions facilitated by SERC. This Code of Conduct is intended to align with the American Geosciences Institute's Statement on Harassment in the Geosciences.

Expected Behavior

All participants in attendance are to:

  • Treat other participants with respect and consideration.
  • Be considerate, collegial, and collaborative.
  • Communicate openly, with civil attitudes, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
  • Frame discussions as openly and inclusively as possible and be aware of how language or images may be perceived by others.
  • Avoid personal attacks and harassment directed toward other participants in attendance.
  • Obey the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, SERC contracted facility, or any other venue where a participant's meeting badge is likely to be displayed.
  • Alert meeting security personnel, SERC staff, or SERC leadership if they notice someone in distress, or perceive a potentially dangerous situation, or witness a dangerous situation.

Unacceptable Behavior

It is important that SERC activities are events where no participant should ever feel belittled or made to feel unsafe. The following behavior will not be tolerated:

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Physical, written, electronic, or verbal abuse of any participant.

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, derisive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, age, medical condition, pregnancy, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, citizenship, gender identity and expression, marital status, or veteran/military status; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations; threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider or other meeting guest; inappropriate or unwelcome touch; telling sexually explicit or culturally offensive jokes; irresponsible use of alcohol or other controlled substances.

SERC is an office of Carleton College and so the college's Policy Against Sexual Misconduct also applies.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

  • Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to immediately cease and desist.
  • SERC staff, leadership, security, or law enforcement personnel shall take action(s) deemed necessary and appropriate. Actions may include immediate removal from the event without warning or refund.
  • Anyone experiencing or witnessing unacceptable behavior may report unacceptable behavior for consideration by Carleton College.

Responding to Unacceptable Behavior

Detailed information about complaint and investigation procedures can be found in Carleton's campus handbook. External users can contact Carleton's Office of Human Resources for a copy, hr@carleton.edu or 507-222-7471. If workshop attendees feel they have experienced sexual misconduct while participating in the workshop, they can reach out to Laura Riehle-Merrill, Carleton's Title IX Coordinator, to assist with accessing support and details of the complaint process, lriehlem@carleton.edu and 507-222-4028.

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, or a criminal act is expected to contact 911. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.