Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming virtual conference experience for everyone. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, xenophobia, or racism in any form. Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of others based on human differences. Bullying is seeking to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone perceived as vulnerable. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:


  • Comments or actions that minimize a person’s lived experiences, identity, or safety

  • Deliberate misgendering or use of “dead” or rejected names

  • Deliberate “outing” of any person’s lived experiences or identity without their consent

  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events

  • Physical contact without consent or after a request to stop

  • Unwelcome sexual attention

  • Deliberate intimidation or stalking of any kind – in person or online

  • Collection or distribution of harassing photography or recordings

  • Threats or acts of violence

  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior


Discrimination/Harassment is not:

  • Feeling persecuted for your social privilege

  • ‘Reverse’ -isms, including ‘reverse racism,’ ‘reverse sexism,’ and ‘cisphobia’

  • Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you.”

  • Refusal to explain or debate social justice issues when the person being asked is put in a defensive position based on their lived experience, personal identity, or safety

  • Communication in a ‘tone’ you don’t find congenial

  • Discussion of sensitive topics

  • Criticizing racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise oppressive behavior or assumptions


COVID-19, Xenophobia, and Racism

Across the United States right now, COVID-19 infections increase along with feelings of anxiety, isolation, and fear. Along with those feelings, the world has seen an increase in misinformation, xenophobia, and racism. This has resulted in physical, financial, emotional, and psychological harm to our Asian and Pacific Islander colleagues, and will not be tolerated during any UMD event, including this virtual symposium. Please only use the names provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), “coronavirus” or “COVID-19” when discussing COVID-19 topics.


Reporting

If you or someone else is being discriminated against or harassed, please report it to event hosts as soon as possible.


Consequences

This Code of Conduct is in place to protect the safety of all attendees. Attendees asked to stop any harassing or discriminatory behavior are expected to comply immediately. Event staff may take action to redress anything disrupting the event or making the environment unsafe for participants. Anyone engaging in any of the behaviors outlined above may be subject to expulsion with no refund from meeting and related events, or future events.