Luquillo LTER Code of Conduct

The Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LUQ LTER) conducts research to advance understanding of the long-term effects of natural and human disturbances on tropical forest ecosystems, and broadly supports education and public outreach activities related to these themes. LUQ LTER aims to foster an environment of collaboration and mutual respect, and is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff members. 

All participants, including but not limited to students, instructors, researchers, field technicians, volunteers, principal investigators, administrators, and guests, are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies in all venues, online and in-person, including ancillary events and social gatherings, whether officially sponsored by LUQ LTER or not. 

Expected behavior

  • Treat all participants, attendees, colleagues, staff, and vendors with kindness, respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions (including those you may not share) and making space for participants to share their views.
  • Communicate openly with respect for other participants, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech directed toward others, whether in person, in print, or online. 
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
  • Respect the rules and policies of field stations, field sites, meeting venues, and other shared locations. The following anti-harassment policies apply at Forest Service research facilities: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/anti-harassment-policy
  • Abide by principles of civility, academic integrity and ethical professional conduct.

Unacceptable behavior

  • Harassment, intimidation or discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Harassment includes speech or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive. Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so be cautious and be sure respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner (e.g., sexist, homophobic or racist jokes) still constitutes unacceptable behavior.
  • Verbal harassment includes comments, epithets, slurs, threats, and negative stereotyping that are offensive, hostile, disrespectful, or unwelcome.
  • Non-verbal harassment includes actions or distribution, display, or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, denigrates, insults, belittles, or shows hostility, aversion, or disrespect toward a group or individual. The use of sexual or discriminatory images in public spaces or in presentations represents harassment.
  • Examples of unacceptable behavior include—but are not limited to—unwelcome or offensive verbal comments or exclusionary behavior 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, or religion.
  • Sexual harassment is a particularly egregious form of harassment and is prohibited by law. Inappropriate physical contact, unwanted sexual attention, and deliberate intimidation, stalking or following are unacceptable behaviors and will not be tolerated.
  • Retaliation or reporting an incident in bad faith undermine the safe, productive and welcoming environment that we are striving to create and will be subject to consequences.

Consequences

LUQ LTER reserves the right to enforce this Code of Conduct. Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior must comply immediately. Failure to comply with requests can result in escalating consequences, which may include expulsion from the research site or activity, prohibition from future activities, or termination of any affiliation between a participant and LUQ LTER.

Reporting Code of Conduct Violations

Don’t ignore it! 

If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior, we encourage you to report your concerns. If you witness unacceptable behavior, intervene if you feel safe in doing so, report the event, and check on the impacted person. If you see something, say something, even if you don’t know the identity of someone involved, if you are unsure whether it is something that can be addressed, or if you are not sure if it’s serious.

How do I report a concern?

Report code of conduct violations or any other concerns to one or more of the following:

Alternatively you may use the LUQ LTER Anonymous Comment Box to anonymously report concerns or make suggestions. 

Reports will be kept as confidential as possible, but note that university employees, teaching assistants and research assistants are mandatory reporters. Any comments involving reports of sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence (including dating and domestic violence), stalking, protected-class discrimination or harassment, or related retaliation will be reported to the Title IX office at UPRRP or the relevant institutions.