BONANZA CREEK LTER

Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks

 


BNZ Code of Conduct

The Bonanza Creek (BNZ) Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and productive environment that fosters research, education, and community engagement. We strive to ensure all participants treat others with kindness and respect, act in a proactively inclusive manner, and take responsibility as leaders and participants. All researchers, students, employees, and visitors of the BNZ LTER program must adhere to the code of conduct described below and treat others in a professional manner. The code of conduct applies in all physical and virtual places related to BNZ LTER activities including but not limited to offices, laboratories, field sites, in-person and online meetings, and any form of writing. We are all responsible for holding our community to these standards of conduct. We rely on policies from our home institution, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), as a guide for our code of conduct but acknowledge that other standards may apply as the BNZ LTER is composed of members across multiple institutions. If you have suggestions, questions, or need more information regarding this code of conduct, please contact Michelle Mack.

Expected Behavior

  • Treat all participants with kindness, respect, reciprocity, and consideration
  • Be accountable and fair
  • Be welcoming and inclusive of all people
  • Establish effective communication
  • Pursue responsible environmental stewardship
  • Promote physical and mental health and safety
  • Abide by principles of academic integrity and ethical professional conduct
  • Adhere to BNZ LTER conditions for community membership and use of research sites
  • Support BNZ LTER data policy
  • Respect indigenous data sovereignty, knowledge, and cultures

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Sexual misconduct – including harassment, assault, stalking, and relationship violence
  • Discrimination/bias
  • Physical, verbal, and monetary intimidation
  • Derogatory language
  • Personal attacks
  • Retaliation
  • Violence or threats of violence
  • Theft, property damage, or vandalism
  • Violation of UAF rules and local, state, or federal laws
  • Unacceptable or unlawful use of intellectual (e.g., data) or physical property
  • Engaging or asking others to engage in unsafe lab or field practices
  • Any behavior that compromises the Expected Behaviors above

Consequences
To the extent possible, issues of misconduct will be resolved within the BNZ community, with advice and direction by the BNZ LTER leadership committee and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) committee as needed. Consequences for violating this code of conduct will be commensurate with the nature and severity of the offense, persistence of violations, and the impact of the offense on any other people involved. Sanctions may include:

  • Warning
  • Probation
  • Termination of LTER financial support
  • Suspension from the BNZ LTER, including use of resources and access to sites
  • Expulsion from the BNZ LTER

Reporting Misconduct
We encourage reporting if you have experienced or witnessed any unacceptable behavior that violates this code of conduct, even if you are unaware of the identity of the person in violation or if you are unsure whether the issue could be addressed or is serious enough.

Reports of alleged or suspected violations of the code of conduct may be directed to any or all of the following:

Reports will be kept as confidential as possible. However, in cases of sexual misconduct, all university employees are required to report to their respective institution’s Title IX office. Cases of harassment will also be shared with the NSF Office of Equity and Civil Rights. For researchers outside of UAF, reporting to the PI’s respective institution may be enforced.

Title IX
Reports of sexual misconduct are handled in accordance to federal Title IX legislation. Sexual misconduct includes sex and gender-based discrimination and harassment, rape, sexual assualt, stalking, dating and domestic violence, retaliation, unwelcome sexual contact, requests for sexual favors, and quid pro quo of a sexual nature. Please refer to the UAF Title IX Policy regarding procedures following reports of sexual misconduct.

Resources

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Learn more about UA's notice of nondiscrimination.