SARSEF Code of Conduct

Adapted from the Society for Science’s Code of Conduct

I hereby acknowledge as a SARSEF program participant:

1. I agree to act in a positive and ethical manner, treating each person (participant, staff, volunteer, or leader) I encounter fairly and respectfully.
2. I agree to be respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences when reading, listening, or talking to others. When posting online I will be thoughtful and civil and will provide only constructive feedback.
3. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to abide by SARSEF’s harassment policy protecting all SARSEF participants from harassment and sexual harassment by another SARSEF participant or other person for any reason including, but not limited to: age, national origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, ancestry and/or veteran status and understand SARSEF’s responsibility to investigate claims of violation of the policy.
4. If participating in a SARSEF competition, including SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair or Racing the Sun, I agree to disclose all conflicts of interest resulting from direct competitive, collaborative or other relationships with any other participants or judges.
5. If participating in a SARSEF competition, including SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair or Racing the Sun, I agree to respect confidentiality and intellectual property.

SARSEF Program Harassment Policy

Adapted from the Society for Science’s Program Harassment Policy

SARSEF prohibits harassment of any student, volunteer, or employee by another student, volunteer, employee or third party for any reason including, but not limited to: age, national origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, ancestry and/or veteran status. Harassment includes but is not limited to slurs, epithets, threats, derogatory comments, unwelcome jokes, and teasing. In online formats, harassment includes cyberbullying, trolling, the use of bad language, sexually explicit language or imagery, political attacks, racist language or imagery, personal attacks and posts that demean, insult, threaten or belittle other’s work.

Any person who feels that he or she is a victim of such harassment at a SARSEF program should promptly report the matter to a SARSEF employee or other adult authority who will immediately present to the proper authority.  Upon receipt of any allegation(s), an investigation will be initiated.  All such reports will be handled as confidentially as possible. SARSEF may take appropriate disciplinary action against any person found to have violated the harassment policy. No adverse action or retaliation will be allowed to be taken against a person who reports a violation or who participates in an investigation of this policy in good faith.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment of or by any person in attendance at a SARSEF program is prohibited. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature including, but not limited to, drawings, pictures, jokes, teasing, or uninvited touching.

In accordance with this policy, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexual demands, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature will constitute sexual harassment when:

• The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an affected person’s performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or in third party situations, one or more individuals are reasonably offended by the sexual interaction, conduct, or communications between others.
• The conduct has the effect of creating actual, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest, favoritism, disruption or lack of objectivity.

If a SARSEF employee or adult volunteer becomes aware of such a situation, he or she is under a responsibility to contact the proper authority. Knowingly false accusations are prohibited and will be treated by disciplinary action comparable to that which would be applied to actual misconduct.