MRS Community Agreement

Welcome to the CU Mountain Research Station!

We’re excited to host you and we want to make sure that you are safe and comfortable and feel welcome during your stay.

The Mountain Research Station (MRS) is a multi-user facility that, at any one time, hosts field course students, workshop participants, researchers, and members of the public. The diversity of this community is one of our strengths as a field station and it is a priority that every station resident and user feels welcome in our community.

 

Building a respectful community

The MRS community celebrates our differences, embraces our shared humanity, and is firmly rooted in the understanding that diverse backgrounds and perspectives promote growth and resilience in our society and our science. 

By continually refining inclusive practices and removing biases in research, teaching, mentoring, and outreach we seek to empower the next generation of ecologists and evolutionary biologists to advance science through justice, equity, and inclusion.

As a campus of the University of Colorado Boulder, we expect that visitors to the MRS follow the Colorado Creed:

 

   Act with honor, integrity and accountability in my interactions with students, faculty, staff and neighbors.

   Respect the rights of others and accept our differences.

   Contribute to the greater good of this community.

 

Harassment or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Code of Conduct

The MRS is committed to providing a safe, productive, and non-discriminatory environment that fosters excellence in research, training, and outreach. 

To best fulfill this commitment, all community members of the MRS community must adhere to the following guidelines. If you need more information, have suggestions, or want to raise a concern, please contact Scott Taylor (MRS Director and NWT co-PI).

All station users, including students, faculty, and staff, are expected to abide by a common Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct applies in all physical and virtual places related to MRS activities (e.g., field, laboratories, offices, in person and online meetings, shuttle).

 

Expected behavior

 

  Treat all participants with kindness, respect, and consideration.

  No demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and/or speech directed toward others, whether in person, in print, or online.

  Be mindful of your actions and how your actions may impact your fellow participants.

  Abide by principles of academic integrity and ethical professional conduct.

 

Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and sexual misconduct are unacceptable. 

Harassment includes unfair treatment, abusive words, imagery, or expressions, or intimidating behavior aimed at any member of the MRS community based on an aspect of identity. 

Examples of unacceptable behavior include—but are not limited to unwelcome or offensive verbal comments related to:

  •  age
  • appearance or body size
  • employment or military status
  • ethnicity
  • gender identity and expression
  • individual lifestyle
  • marital status
  • national origin
  • physical or cognitive ability
  • political affiliation
  • sexual orientation
  • race
  • religion. 

Sexual misconduct includes unwanted sexual behavior, abuse in a relationship, and stalking.
 

Reporting, support, & consequences

 

Don't ignore it! Report it.

If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please report your concerns (see How do I report a concern?). If you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or any violations of the code of conduct, please report your concerns. Please notify one of the parties listed below even if you don’t know the identity of the person who caused the harm, if you are unsure whether it is something that MRS or the University could address, or if you think it’s not serious enough.

How do I report a concern? 

Notify any of the following with concerns: Scott Taylor (MRS Director) or Mike Haffey (MRS Station Manager). 

Confidential options are also available for reporting harassment, discriminatory actions, and sexual misconduct, and for dispute resolution through the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) at CU Boulder (303-492-2127). OIEC addresses concerns about protected class discrimination or harassment and sexual misconduct through formal investigation, informal resolutions, and remedial and protective measures.

How do I get support?

University of Colorado Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) offers support services for undergrads, grad students, staff, and faculty following a traumatic, disturbing, or disruptive event. You can reach the OVA by calling 303-492-8855 or sending an email assist@colorado.edu.

What do I do if I am notified about a concern? 

If you become aware of behavior that undermines a safe, welcoming, or productive research and learning environment, we encourage you to take appropriate action. 

All CU employees who have the authority to hire, promote, discipline, evaluate, grade, formally advise, or direct faculty, staff, or students are considered "responsible employees" and are required to report concerns related to sexual misconduct and protected class discrimination and harassment to OIEC.

Consequences for violators? 

MRS leadership, in consultation with appropriate CU offices, reserves the right to enforce this Code of Conduct in any manner deemed appropriate. In cases not covered by the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, anyone violating the Code of Conduct will first be asked to cease these behaviors. Failure to comply with this request will lead to expulsion from further participation in activities at the MRS.

Policies and additional resources for discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct

 

CU MRS Discrimination and Harassment Policy  

CU Boulder policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected-class identity. Unfair treatment or intimidating behavior aimed at any member of the campus community based on an aspect of identity protected by CU Boulder policy is reportable to the university.  The Discrimination and Harassment Policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors, patients, volunteers, affiliated entities, and other third parties. Subject to any rights of appeal, any person found responsible for engaging in protected-class discrimination or harassment, or related violations, as defined in this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment.  Under university policy, protected-class includes race, color, national origin, pregnancy, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and its expression, veteran status, and political affiliation/philosophy.

CU MRS Sexual Misconduct Policy  

Access a printable document (.doc) of the OIEC Options for Reporting, Assistance, and the University Resolution Process following an incident of sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence, or stalking.  Sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other gender-based or sex-based harassment occurring in the college setting implicates federal law including the Violence Against Women Act, and Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities. These laws activate certain responsibilities on the part of educational institutions. OIEC administers these responsibilities for the CU campus.  Students also have the option to file a Title IX complaint with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional resources

* = Confidential resource

1. Ombuds Office*

Confidential  
Our office serves as a good place to surface, voice, discuss and clarify university-related concerns. We listen without judgment, help people untangle issues, develop options and strategize. We provide an impartial perspective and maintain what is shared with us in strictest confidence. Visitors to our office choose their path of resolution. 
Contact: 303-492-5077, https://www.colorado.edu/ombuds/

2. Office of Faculty Affairs 

NOT confidential
The Office of Faculty Affairs coordinates a variety of activities associated with faculty life and academic programming on the Boulder campus. The office is a branch of the Division of Academic Affairs and is administered by the vice provost and associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs. 
Contact: 303-492-5491, https://www.colorado.edu/facultyaffairs/

 3. Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)* 

Confidential
“OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short term counseling services to University of Colorado Boulder students, graduate students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life disruptive event. OVA is not a part of the police department or the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, and is confidential resource for students, staff and faculty.” 
Contact: 303-492-8855, https://www.colorado.edu/ova/

 4. Faculty & Staff Assistant Program (FSAP)* 

Confidential
“The Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is dedicated to serving the emotional and psychological needs of the campus community. All FSAP staff are trained as generalist counselors and are equipped to deal with a wide range of personal and work related issues. You must be a CU Boulder employee to use FSAP services, and services are free to all CU Boulder faculty and staff members.” 
Contact: 303-492-3020, https://www.colorado.edu/hr/faculty-staff-assistance-program

 5. Office of Institutional Equity & Compliance (OIEC)* 

Confidential
The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance employs a comprehensive and integrated approach for case resolution, education, assessment, support services, and ADA accommodations to create and foster a safe, inclusive, and accessible campus environment for all members of the CU community.  

OIEC implements and enforces three university policies for students, staff, faculty, volunteers, and affiliates: Discrimination and Harassment; Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Abuse and Stalking; and Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships. OIEC is committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, pregnancy, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran (military service) status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. 
Contact: 303-492-2127, https://www.colorado.edu/oiec/support-resources

 6. Student Support and Case Management 

NOT confidential
If you have noticed changes in a student’s behavior over time or if you notice a student appears withdrawn, sullen, upset or depressed, you may wish to consider referring that student to Student Support and Case Management (SSCM). Additionally, if a student is engaging in aggressive or inappropriate behaviors, is violating boundaries you have set, or fails to comply with your requests, it is important you refer that student. 

If you think something may be wrong, don’t hesitate to contact SSCM. They can provide consultation whether or not they know the student’s name. 
Contact: 303-492-7348, https://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/students-concern

 7. Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution 

NOT confidential
Contact: 303-492-5550, https://www.colorado.edu/sccr/

 8. Employee Relations

NOT confidential
Employee Relations is committed to creating and maintaining a positive and productive working environment for all employees. They provide fair and unbiased consultation for employees and supervisors on leave/FMLA, performance management, employee discipline, layoffs/separations, and sanctioning. 
Contact: 303-492-6475, https://www.colorado.edu/hr/about-hr/employee-relations

 

 

The Mountain Research Station has absolutely no tolerance for harassment of any kind. Over and above this commitment, we strive to actively counter unconscious biases and disparities that occur along gender, race, sexual orientation, class, and other lines in our communities. We are dedicated to increasing equity in research, training, and outreach.

       

   Want to learn more about MRS?

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