Principles of Community

I. Our Principles

Members of the Earth and Planetary Sciences department will strive to create a community that is welcoming to everyone. Our aim is to develop and maintain an inclusive climate where all department members can grow professionally and bring their whole selves to our community. Members of the department agree to adhere to the Principles of Community at all department-sponsored events and activities, and must meet the following expectations with respect to their conduct and actions:

1. Department members will treat others with dignity and respect, regardless of their own or another’s race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, employment status, disability, or military service or veteran status.
2. Department members will communicate with civility.
3. Department members will behave in a way that creates a safe, welcoming, and positive educational experience for all.
4. Department members will give fair and equitable consideration to all students, postdoctoral scholars, researchers, staff, lecturers, and faculty, regardless of their race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, employment status, disability, or military service or veteran status.
5. Department members engaged in student mentoring will encourage all students in a respectful manner that is inclusive of diverse backgrounds and experiences, and recognizes that education is fundamental for the promotion of student learning and professional development.
6. Department members will observe the guidelines for the reporting of prohibited behavior (see section IV), and recognize that such guidelines are in effect at all times (see section II).
7. Department members will not attempt to injure the reputation or professional opportunities for others by false, biased, or undocumented claims.
8. Department members will not practice, incite, encourage, or condone prohibited behavior (see section III), including but not limited to harassment in any form.

II. Scope and Settings

Our Principles of Community complement but do not override other UCSC policies such as the student and faculty codes of conduct, UC policies on sexual violence and sexual harassment or other subjects, and laws such as Title IX.

These Principles of Community prohibit unacceptable behaviors that either have the effect, or could reasonably be assumed to have the effect, of creating, contributing to, or maintaining a professional environment that is hostile toward or damaging to a person or group on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, employment status, disability, or military service or veteran status.

These Principles of Community apply to all members of the department, including faculty, lecturers, staff, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students, as well as to visitors and all participants in departmental events. These policies cover conduct in all educational settings and related environments, which may include, but are not limited to:

1. Class or lab activities, including office hours.
2. Field trips, including transport to and from the site and while at camp or other lodging.
3. Seminars and presentations, such as the Whole Earth Seminar, IGPP Seminar, 293 seminar, or PhD defense.
4. Mentoring and advising situations, such as individual meetings, lab group meetings, committee meetings, qualifying exams, or PhD defense.
5. Meetings of department-affiliated groups or clubs.
6. Social and professional development events.

III. Prohibited Behaviors

Behaviors that are prohibited and which may result in disciplinary action include:

1. Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, denigrating jokes, stereotyping, or a recurring pattern of microinvalidations, microassaults, microaggressions, and microinsults.
2. Physical abuse or intimidation, including disregard for another’s safety.
3. Verbal or written bullying, intimidation, or abuse (in-person or remotely), including but not limited to: harmful or negative comments related to race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, level of education, disability, or veteran status.
4. Violating the previously communicated (verbally or nonverbally) physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries of others through the continuation of otherwise prohibited behaviors, or through verbal or written comments founded on any personal aspect of another individual.
5. Creating or sharing media involving other department members against their express wishes, or in ways that may cause embarrassment or discomfort for the subject even with an image release. Any media shared online should be taken down if requested by the subject.
6. Display or distribution of images or recordings involving provocative behavior, bigotry, nudity, sexual activities, or physical force against oneself, another person, or a community.
7. Intentional, unwelcome physical behaviors (in-person or remotely), including but not limited to: stalking, physical contact, and aggressive or intimidating displays and/or body language.
8. Threats (implied or real) of physical, emotional, professional, or financial harm.
9. Any other behaviors that may reasonably be assumed to have the effect of creating, contributing to, or maintaining an environment that is hostile toward or damaging to a person or group, or that might interfere with the educational mission of a class or the department.

IV. Reporting an Allegation of Violation of the Principles of Community

If someone is subject to or witnesses prohibited behavior, they should file a report if they feel comfortable doing so. The principle reporting mechanisms are Title IX (for sexual violence and harassment) and the Hate/Bias Response Program (for discrimination, microaggressions, bullying, or similar actions that contribute to a hostile climate). Filing a report will not trigger an investigation unless you agree to participate, and your information will be kept confidential to the greatest possible degree. Click here for more detail about the reporting process.

V. Review of Allegations of Misconduct

If the report is a potential violation of the student or faculty codes of conduct, or of other policies or laws, the relevant offices will conduct an investigation and determine sanctions. After the Earth and Planetary Sciences department chair is notified of a completed investigation, the department may make recommendations or pursue additional sanctions. Individuals who are found to have violated the department’s Principles of Community may be subject to one or more of the following actions: recommendation of additional training, written reprimand or warning, suspension from attending future sponsored activities (including social events or professional development presentations), or denial or revocation of department awards. These sanctions may be for a predetermined duration or permanent.

VI. Statute of Limitations

There is no absolute statute of limitation for considering violations of the Principles of Community. The department will ensure timely action after receiving notification of concluded investigations.

This text is adapted from the Paleontological Society code of conduct.