Event Code of Conduct

Fundamental to the Advanced Science Research Center’s mission to pursue expansive new research solving some of society’s most complex challenges, is to create opportunities in which communities within CUNY and beyond may connect, share information, and safely work side by side to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The ASRC holds events to encourage the open exchange of ideas and to support the development of an integrated research network that brings together faculty, students, post-doctoral fellows, industry members and more from around the world. We firmly believe a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community is essential in the sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to cultivate thoughtful, robust conversation needed to proactively address the diversity of needs in our communities and beyond.

To that end, the ASRC is dedicated to ensuring that our events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, empowering, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone participating (whether in-person or online). The ASRC wants to ensure that all participants understand what behavior is expected and what behavior will not be accepted. Furthermore, the facilities covered by this Event Code of Conduct include any venue, on or off the ASRC campus, including hotels, meeting rooms, field sites, or locations where an ASRC-affiliated conference or social gathering takes place.

In order to participate in an ASRC-sponsored event, all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers must agree to abide by the following code of conduct (“ASRC Event Code of Conduct”).

 Applicability

The ASRC Event Code of Conduct applies to any ASRC event, which shall include meetings, conferences, symposia, television filming, receptions, scientific and technical workshops, expert meetings, networking, or social events, as well as any other gathering organized, hosted or sponsored in whole or part by an ASRC entity. Additionally, the following will apply to all gatherings held on ASRC premises, regardless of whether or not an ASRC affiliate is organizing, hosting, or sponsoring.

Expected Behavior

In order to support an environment that builds community and positive connections, the following behaviors are expected of all participants, including the organizers, of ASRC-affiliated events:

• Be present and participate actively.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Act with respect towards everyone you encounter, including event and venue staff.
• Exercise consideration in your speech and actions.
• To support a participatory learning environment for everyone, be mindful of how much time you use (e.g., in discussions and Q&A sessions).
• Ask for permission of participants in frame before taking pictures.
• Alert conference organizers if you notice a dangerous situation, safety hazard, destruction of property, and/or someone in distress.
• Demonstrate respect for the space by restoring the venue to the condition you found it in.
• Contact ASRC staff to gain approval of vendor or guest access, as well as the facilitation of event-related materials (tables, banners, decorations, etc.), the possibility of an open-flame, the need for extra electrical hook-ups and/or the need for further staff support.
• Behave in accordance with professional standards (such as this Event Code of Conduct, your respective employer’s policies, and applicable government regulations).

Unacceptable Behavior

Harassment, bullying, microaggressions, intimidation, and/or insinuations that are hurtful or interfere with any other attendee’s experience or participation are unacceptable behaviors and will not be tolerated. The ASRC reserves the right to determine what constitutes unacceptable behavior and what actions it will take to address incidents that occur. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to the following:

• Disruptive and/or disrespectful behavior during any interaction, including presentations and discussions.
• Inappropriate physical or verbal contact with any participant, event organizer, staff member, vendor, volunteer, or guest.
• Discrimination, bullying, verbal or nonverbal harassment, or hostility against any person, including intimidation, violence, offensive/unwelcome behavior, unwelcome advances, threats, or stalking; inappropriate contact; verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature etc.
• Any illegal activity or forms of harassment not covered above.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at ASRC-sponsored events. Anyone asked by an ASRC staff member or affiliate to stop engaging in unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior or fails to comply with expected behavior at any time during the sponsored event, ASRC staff may take any action as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to calling security to remove the participant from the event.

To report an instance of misconduct or ask questions regarding the Event Code of Conduct or its implementation, please email Mark Hauber, Executive Director, at mhauber@gc.cuny.edu.

In line with and in consideration for my participation in an ASRC-sponsored event, I accept and will adhere to the Event Code of Conduct when participating in such an event. I understand that the ASRC may take any action it deems appropriate, including removing me from the event without a refund (if applicable), should I fail to adhere to this Event Code of Conduct.