Event code of conduct

updated 9/12/2024

Alaska Sea Grant is committed to providing safe and welcoming environments for all who participate in activities, meetings, or events. Alaska Sea Grant prohibits and will not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination.

Purpose

Alaska Sea Grant has established this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) to serve as a guideline for the professional conduct of anyone attending or participating in an Alaska Sea Grant event, meeting or activity, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior. We expect all participants and organizers to follow this Code so that everyone can fully participate responsibly and with respect for the rights of others. Failure to abide by this Code is subject to response and sanctions, including refused admission, ejection, banishment, and other penalties consistent with this Code.

Scope and applicability

The Code applies to all attendees of Alaska Sea Grant events, meetings or activities. By attending, all participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Expected behavior

The following ethical behaviors are expected of all participants:

• Behaving in a courteous and professional manner;
• Treating all participants with respect, dignity, and consideration, in the spirit of creating an inclusive and accessible environment and valuing a diversity of views and opinions;
• Being considerate, respectful, and collaborative in your communication and actions;
• Discussing differences and critiquing ideas in a non-confrontational manner with due regard for the viewpoints of others;
• Refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech;
• Reporting suspected unacceptable behaviors (as outlined below) directed at yourself or others;
• Respecting the rules, policies, and property of Alaska Sea Grant and its contracted event facilities and vendors;
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Unacceptable behavior

Violations of this Code include but are not limited to the following:

• Harassment, which this defined for the purposes of this Code to include unwelcome or offensive verbal, visual, or physical contact directed at any participant, including conduct, comments, or images that a person would reasonably find offensive, demeaning, or hostile;
• Sexual harassment, which this defined for purposes of this Code to include unwelcome, unsolicited, and unreciprocated sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature that has or that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to offend, humiliate, or intimidate another person;
• Exhibiting behavior that is unruly and/or disruptive or that endangers the health or safety of yourself or others;
• Discriminatory conduct based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, political affinity, or any other characteristic protected by law;
• Deliberate intimidation, threatening, stalking, or following;
• Sustained disruption of portions of an event or meeting;
• Invasion of privacy;
• Actual or threatened pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person;
• Possession of a weapon, display in an intimidating manner or use of any item in a way that may cause danger to others;
• Destruction, theft, dismantlement, defacement, abuse, or intentional misuse of Alaska Sea Grant or Alaska Sea Grant–contracted venues, property, equipment, signage, or supplies;
• Intentionally failing to comply with directions of Alaska Sea Grant staff or venue personnel regarding event or activity operations or emergency response procedures;
• Retaliation against participants for reporting activity that they reasonably believed to be in violation of this Code; and,
• Knowingly and falsely reporting violations of this Code in bad faith.

Moreover, this Code is not intended to be all inclusive, and there will likely be relevant conduct issues that this Code does not specifically address. In that event, as in all others, participants are expected to follow the direction of pre-designated Alaska Sea Grant representatives who will take appropriate action to ensure the safety, security and well-being of participants.

Reporting unacceptable behavior

Violations of this Code are taken seriously and should be promptly reported. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if you observe something suspicious and believe there is an immediate need to report a security issue or emergency, please promptly contact venue security or local law enforcement.

If you believe you are being subjected to inappropriate conduct, witness (observe or were told about) someone else is being subjected to inappropriate conduct, or have any other concerns, there are multiple options for reporting this information. Reports of alleged or suspected violations of the code of conduct may be directed to any or all of the following:

• Any member of Alaska Sea Grant leadership, including the Director, Associate Director, Marine Advisory Program Leader, or Deputy Director
• Any Alaska Sea Grant employee
• University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability (uaf-orca@alaska.edu, 907-474-7300) 

Alaska Sea Grant incident responders will work with individuals experiencing inappropriate conduct, in collaboration with the UAF Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability, to implement measures to enable them to feel safe for the duration of the event. In cases of sexual misconduct, all university employees are required to report to their respective institution’s Title IX office. Resources for reporting sexual harassment and discrimination concerns (Title IX) are discussed more below. 

Consequences of participant engagement in unacceptable behavior

Any participants asked to stop engaging in unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately.

The Alaska Sea Grant Director, or designee, will determine the nature of the participants’ conduct that warrants a response as well as the response to be taken. Responses may take any of the following forms: a notification that the action was unwelcomed; verbal warning; immediate expulsion from the event; exclusion from future Alaska Sea Grant events; notification of institutional leadership; and notifying appropriate authorities. To protect all parties involved, Alaska Sea Grant will generally not make any detailed public statements about Code incidents.

University resources for reporting discrimination and harassment

Alaska Sea Grant and the University of Alaska Fairbanks embraces and grows a culture of respect, inclusion, and caring. Participants of UAF and Alaska Sea Grant programs or activities are protected against sexual harassment and discrimination (Title IX). University of Alaska Fairbanks employees, including all Alaska Sea Grant staff and faculty, are designated as responsible employees which means they are required to report any sexual misconduct associated with sponsored programs, events, or activities to the UA Title IX coordinator.

Participants of all Alaska Sea Grant and UAF programs or activities have access to resources through the UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA), and can report discrimination concerns and Title IX concerns to ORCA using the online form or by calling the UA Confidential Hotline (855-251-5719).