Code of Conduct

Purpose

One of the primary goals of the Computer Science Club of the University of Waterloo is the inclusion and support of all members of the University of Waterloo community who are interested in Computer Science. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and religion or lack thereof.

We invite all those who participate in our events and who communicate with our Club at large to help us create a safe and positive experience for everyone involved.

We've outlined a code of conduct to highlight our expectations for all individuals who participate in our Club, as well as the steps to handle unacceptable behaviour. New members should sign the Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct is in addition to existing University Policies, such as policies 33, 34, and 42.

The Code of Conduct does not cover criminal matters. Initiating a Code of Conduct complaint does not exclude other paths, such as going to Police Services. For criminal matters, threats or acts of physical violence, immediately contact UW Police at x22222 or (519) 888-4911.

Expected Behaviour

• Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this Club.
• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration before conflict.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviours include: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in our community online, at all related events and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of Club business. Club event venues may be shared; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

Harassment includes: harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides); deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Also refer to Policy 33 for the definitions of discrimination and harassment.

Experiencing Unacceptable Behaviour

The Executive Council and Faculty Advisor are herein referred to as the Officers, or singularly as Officer.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour

After having done so, the Handling Officer shall use their best judgment to determine if the complaint is valid and, if so, determine with the relevant Officers the appropriate action to ensure that the complainant feels welcome in the Computer Science Club and to avoid a subsequent incident:

• A warning.
• A suspension from the events and spaces governed by the Code of Conduct until the beginning of the next term. If the suspension would come into effect less than two full weeks from the end of classes in the current term, then the suspension applies to the subsequent term as well.
• If the incident is very serious, or the subject has a pattern of similar offences, expulsion from the Club.
• A formal complaint through University policy, such as 33, 34, and 42.

The Handling Officer shall inform the complainant of the resolution of the issue and inform both the complainant and the subject of their right to appeal the decision.

Addressing Grievances

If either the complainant or the subject disagree with the decision made by the Handling Officer, they can appeal to the Officers, who can overturn the decision with a majority vote of all the Officers.

No Officer who was personally involved in the complaint, or is in a close relationship with someone involved in the complaint, shall participate in the Officers deliberation or vote on the appeal.

If the subject of a complaint is expelled from the Club, then at their request, but no more often than once a year, the Officers will review the decision to expel them from the Club. The Officers can reinstate the subject with a two-thirds vote of the Officers.

Confidentiality

The Club recognizes that all members have a right to privacy, and will handle complaints confidentially.

As such, proceedings will be kept confidential as described below, to the extent allowed by whichever University policy applies to the complaint. Relevant policies include Policy 42 (Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence), Policy 33 (Ethical Behaviour), or Policy 34 (Health, Safety, and Environment).

Information will only be reported to Police Services when directly required to by applicable policy. In such a case, only the required information will be provided, anonymized if possible.

Information that will be kept in Club records and be available to Officers in the future will be limited to: the date the complaint was made, the name of the subject of the complaint, the name of the Handling Officer, the decision made on the complaint, the date the decision on the complaint was made, and if applicable, the date of the appeal, the party making the appeal (Complainant or Subject), the decision made on the appeal by the Officers, and the date of the Officers decision on the appeal.

The information the Handling Officer and Faculty Advisor will jointly keep records of, in addition to the information kept in the Club records, will be limited to : the name of the complainant, and a summary of the complaint. This information will be available to Officers that are handling future complaints if it is requested and the Handling Officer deems it relevant to the new complaint.

Scope and Spaces

In cases where the Code of Conduct contradicts University policies, or applicable laws and bylaws, the Code of Conduct does not apply to the extent to which it conflicts.

We expect all Club participants (participants, organizers, sponsors, and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community venues (online and in-person) as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to Club business.

• The Code of Conduct applies in the office, where office staff are responsible for enforcing it.
• The Code of Conduct applies in the IRC channel, where channel operators are responsible for enforcing it.
• The Code of Conduct applies at events the CSC organizes or co-organizes, where a designated organizer is responsible for enforcing it.

Contact Information

Additional Information

Additionally, the Executive Council are available to help Club members engage with local law enforcement or to otherwise help those experiencing unacceptable behaviour feel safe. In the context of in-person events, organizers will also provide escorts as desired by the person experiencing distress.

License Information And Attribution

Revision

Revision 1.3, adopted by the Computer Science Club of the University of Waterloo on 25 January 2018.