SEV-LTER Code of Conduct

Introduction and Scope

This Code of Conduct is a community agreement among participants in the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research Program (SEV-LTER). It applies to all individuals participating in physical and virtual environments associated with the SEV-LTER program. It should be honored in any SEV-LTER-related activities, by anyone claiming affiliation with the SEV-LTER. It applies to all spaces managed by the SEV-LTER, including all public and private mailing lists, forums, events, and communication channels used by our community.

The goal of the Code of Conduct is to expand our consideration of ethical scientific conduct (e.g., avoiding data fabrication and plagiarism) to include the ethical treatment of people. The intent of this community agreement, and the associated community-enforced warning system, is to protect all individuals by correcting harmful behavior. With that, we intend to maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for living, working, and learning.

This Code of Conduct builds upon and does not exclude UNM’s Employee Code of Conduct.

I. Community and applicability –

As a National Science Foundation Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program, the SEV-LTER is a highly visible hub for research in ecology and evolution. In this role, we are dedicated to welcoming all people, regardless of race, national origin, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, political persuasion, or physical appearance.

The SEV-LTER community includes faculty, staff, students, researchers, volunteers, and program participants who work, live, and often socialize with one another. This Code of Conduct is applicable to all SEV-LTER participants on all SEV-LTER property, including in rental accommodations; at SEV-LTER-sponsored or supported events, whether in-person or virtual; and when any SEV-LTER participant is explicitly or implicitly representing our community in any capacity (e.g., at conferences, workshops, or outreach events).

II. Standards of Behavior –

All SEV-LTER participants shall:
1. Treat all participants with respect and dignity regardless of race, national origin, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, political persuasion, or physical appearance.
2. Refrain from discrimination, intimidation, or harassment of any kind
3. Abide by principles of academic integrity, ethical professional conduct, and transparent communication that values diversity of views and opinions.
4. Conduct activities safely whether in a field, laboratory, or university setting by following established protocols, maintaining awareness of potential hazards, voicing concerns, and caring for one another’s personal safety. Strive to prevent or interrupt situations that could threaten a person’s health or safety using bystander intervention techniques.
5. Abide by the rules and policies of all facilities used for SEV-LTER purposes, including but not limited to university, field station, governmental, and conference locations. Follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements and leave-no-trace ethics to keep research sites ecologically intact.
6. Be proactive advocates for, and supporters of, diversity and inclusion in science.
7. Follow all additional University of New Mexico regulations and policies.
8. Be proactive advocates for, and supporters of, diversity and inclusion in science.

 

* modified and adapted from collaborations with other LTER sites:
https://www.kbs.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/KBS_CoC_revision_21May2021.pdf
http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/code-conduct
https://lter.jornada.nmsu.edu/code-of-ethics/
https://nga.lternet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NGA-LTER-code-of-conduct.pdf

III. Unacceptable Behavior –

Unacceptable conduct includes any behavior that endangers the safety or well being of any person, including oneself, or that otherwise impedes the goal of nurturing an inclusive and welcoming environment at the SEV-LTER. Examples are:

  • Harassment, assault, intimidation, or discrimination prohibited by Title IX and/or UNM’s policies, including discrimination or harassment related to race, national origin, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, political persuasion, or physical appearance.
  • Unsolicited, unwelcome, or non-consensual physical or sexual contact, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct that is prohibited by UNM policies.
  • Conduct that violates UNM’s policy on romantic or sexual relationships between faculty, or other individuals with educational and/or supervisory responsibility, and students.
  • Use or distribution of illegal drugs, consumption of alcohol by persons under the legal drinking age, or irresponsible use of alcohol by persons over the legal drinking age (e.g., supplying alcohol to underage persons, binge drinking, etc.).
  • Irresponsible use of SEV-LTER property or equipment, whether or not damage occurs, through gross disregard for property, safety, or research integrity.
  • Conduct that violates UNM’s Employee Code of Conduct.
  • Disrespectful behavior or attitudes towards local communities. This includes, but is not limited to, dismissal or disrespect for Indigenous knowledge, values, and cultures, as well as  local knowledge and ways of life.
  • Microaggressions* both verbal and non-verbal.

IV. Consequences –

Consequences for violating this Code will be enforced by UNM and/or the SEV-LTER Director as appropriate. Violations may be grounds for:

  • disciplinary action;
  • termination of employment;
  • dismissal/removal from SEV-LTER;
  • forfeiture of any fees paid to SEV-LTER; and/or
  • forfeiture of any stipend, fellowship, scholarship, or award administered by SEV-LTER.

V. Reporting Guidelines –

If you believe someone is violating this Code of Conduct, please report this in a timely manner. Code of Conduct violations reduce the value of our community for everyone. The team at SEV-LTER takes reports of misconduct very seriously and is committed to preserving and maintaining the welcoming nature of our community.

If you choose to report a violation, all reports will be kept confidential. In some cases, we may determine that a public statement will need to be made. If that is the case, the identities of all involved parties and reporters will remain confidential unless those individuals instruct us otherwise.

Important: Information about alleged sexual violence or misconduct that is shared with most University faculty or staff, including some graduate students, is required to be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity by law and UNM Policy 2740.

All complaints will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that is deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstances.

How to Submit a Report:

For UNM affiliates and non-UNM affiliates: https://sevlter.unm.edu/reporting-incidents/

VI. Additional Resources –

https://sevlter.unm.edu/dei-statement/
Title IX: http://oeo.unm.edu/title-ix/index.html