Midwest-RCD Code of Conduct

Significant portions and sentiments taken directly from The Carpentries Code of Conduct(https://docs.carpentries.org/topic_folders/policies/code-of-conduct.html),  ACM Code of Ethics(https://www.acm.org/code-of-ethics), and CARCC Code of Conduct (https://carcc.org/about/carcc-code-of-conduct/).

The Midwestern Research Computing and Data consortium (Midwest RCD) community is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants in activities enabled in some way by Midwest RCD, and when individuals represent Midwest RCD at any other function. The Code of Conduct sets forth guidelines for participant behavior that will help the community to achieve welcoming and inclusive spaces for engagement, and outlines examples of behavior that may otherwise negatively impact these shared goals. Resolution procedures are structured to encourage participants to report examples of behavior that may adversely impact inclusive participation in Midwest RCD, regardless of intent, so that the community may discuss and productively reflect on them to improve future engagement. By participating in the Midwest RCD community, participants accept the shared priority of abiding by the Midwest RCD Code of Conduct and accept the procedures by which any Code of Conduct incidents are resolved. 

Applicability

This Code of Conduct applies to all spaces managed, hosted, or sponsored by the Midwest RCD community, including, but not limited to, meetings, email lists, and online forums such as Slack and Twitter, where conversations may pertain to or otherwise represent the Midwest RCD community and its activities. By participating, participants indicate their acceptance of the procedures by which Midwest RCD resolves any Code of Conduct incidents, which may include storage and processing of their personal information.

Anticipated Behavior

To foster a positive and professional community environment, the community encourages the following kinds of behaviors in all platforms and events:

• Use welcoming and inclusive language
• Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
• Gracefully accept constructive criticism
• Focus on what is best for the community
• Show courtesy and respect towards other community members

Note: See the four social rules for further recommendations.

Inclusivity

Participants in Midwest RCD events and activities should do their best to foster fair participation of all people, including those of underrepresented groups. Prejudicial discrimination based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, family status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, labor union membership, military status, nationality, race, religion, or any other identity is an explicit violation of the Midwest RCD Code of Conduct. Harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment, bullying, and other abuses of power and authority, among other harms, limit fair access to the virtual and physical spaces where such harassment takes place.

While the use of information and technology has increased access and inclusivity in many cases, the use of information and technology, they may also cause new, or enhance existing, inequities. Technologies and practices should be as inclusive and accessible as possible and research CI professionals should take action to avoid creating or leveraging technologies that disenfranchise or oppress people.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Participants in Midwest RCD events and activities may be explicitly or implicitly entrusted with confidential information shared by other participants, such as trade secrets, client data, non-public business strategies, financial information, research data, pre-publication scholarly articles, and funding applications. Participants should protect confidentiality except in cases where it is evidence of the violation of law, of organizational regulations, or of the Code of Conduct. In these cases, the nature or contents of that information should not be disclosed except to appropriate authorities. 

Behavior that Violates the Code

Examples of unacceptable behavior by participants at any Midwest RCD event/platform include:

• written or verbal comments which have the effect of excluding people based on membership of any specific group
• causing someone to fear for their safety, such as through stalking, following, or intimidation
• violent threats or language directed against another person
• the display of sexual or violent images
• unwelcome sexual attention
• nonconsensual or unwelcome physical contact
• sustained disruption of talks, events, or communications
• insults or put downs
• sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or exclusionary jokes or comments
• excessive swearing
• incitement to violence, suicide, or self-harm
• continuing to initiate interaction (including photography or recording) with someone after being asked to stop
• sharing of private communication without consent

Reporting Troublesome Behavior

If you believe someone has violated the Code of Conduct, please report it to Midwest RCD Leadership by completing this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNEzjZX_uZpeY4w-5fKbNOoKonGtL81wOga_ByUOdgES1PvQ/viewform). All reports will be reviewed by relevant members of Midwest-RCD Leadership and the identities of those involved will be kept confidential to the extent possible. (If one of the Committee members were identified as violating the Code of Conduct, then review would exclude that individual.)

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Participants who are asked to stop any violating behavior by another community member or organizer are expected to comply immediately. This applies to any Midwest RCD events and platforms, either online or in-person. With or without immediate intervention by another community member, the organizers and/or community members may ask the offender to leave the event, and/or engage the Midwest RCD committee members (see above) to investigate the Code of Conduct violation and seek appropriate resolution with the offender. Similarly, any content or recording including violating behavior may be removed and/or edited, if shared/hosted via Midwest RCD infrastructure, and to prevent further harm. In some cases, the reviewing individuals may determine that a public statement of the handling of the incident is necessary. If that’s the case, the identities of all involved parties and reporters will remain confidential unless those individuals instruct otherwise.