Initial Publication Date: December 10, 2024

Code of Conduct

We ask participants to attend the entire conference and to participate fully in the sessions and events. We encourage all participants to create a welcoming and encouraging work environment that honors all levels of experience with institutional change.

Expectations for Participants in ASCN Activities

In order to provide a productive and safe work environment and foster the free exchange of ideas, discrimination and harassment are prohibited in any ASCN activity. This commitment applies to all participants in all settings and locations in which ASCN committee meetings, workshops, and conferences are conducted where employees, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and/or guests are present.

Expected Behavior

ASCN requires its meeting participants to conduct themselves professionally and treat other participants with respect. Failure to comply will result in participants being asked to leave the activity, whether virtual or in person. 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, ASCN/NSEC contracted facility, or any other venue where a participant's meeting badge is likely to be displayed.
  • Alert meeting security personnel, ASCN/NSEC/SERC staff, or ASCN/NSEC leadership if they notice someone in distress, or perceive a potentially dangerous situation, or witness a dangerous situation.

Unacceptable Behavior

It is important that ASCN 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.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

  • Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to immediately cease and desist.
  • ASCN 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 the ASCN Hub.

Responding to Unacceptable Behavior

Detailed information about complaint and investigation procedures can be found in the Western Michigan University campus handbook. If conference attendees feel they have experienced sexual misconduct while participating in the workshop, they can reach out to the Western Michigan University Office of Institutional Equity by submitting a report via the incident reporting form on the University Sexual Misconduct Policy website.

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 necessary actions to maintain their own personal safety.

Accessibility and Access Needs

The Transforming Institutions Conference is committed to providing universal access to our programming and supporting special accommodation requests to the best of our ability. Please check the box on the registration form if you would like a member of the Conference Committee to follow up with you to assist with accommodations that support your needs (e.g. accessible parking space, alternative formats, lactation room). Please note that we will do our best to accommodate your needs, but cannot guarantee we will be able to. Regardless, advanced notice is necessary.

Participants who need specific accommodations can indicate their needs on the registration form. Another option is to let us know by emailing cricpe-ascn@wmich.edu with "Access Needs" in the subject line.