We are committed to providing a safe and productive conference environment that fosters open dialogue and collaboration, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of harassment and discrimination. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration.
We expect all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, guests, and any other third-party participants or suppliers of the FCMCA Conference to adhere to the following expected behavior:
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Welcome a diversity of views and opinions (including those you may not share).
- Use good practices for intercultural collaboration.
- Communicate openly, with respect for all participants, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and fellow participants. Alert staff of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress.
- Respect copying and use of presented materials and ideas, including obtaining permission regarding copying materials.
- Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, WVU, and USDA-NIFA funding agency.
Anyone not meeting expected respectful behavior may be immediately removed frmo the meeting without warning or refund and prohibited to attend future meetings.
Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:
- Intentionally talking over or interrupting others
- Promoting or engaging in biased, demeaning, intimidating, coercive, harassing, or hostile conduct or commentary, whether seriously or in jest, based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, age, physical appearance, physical or cognitive ability, power differential, or other identities
- Retaliation against reporting of conduct concerns or assisting in conflict resolutions
- Use of social media to target individuals actions of participants that could harm their privacy or professional status
- Copying presenter information without obtaining permission
- Disruption of the event or engaging in harm or threats of harm of any kind
- Engaging in any of the above behaviors on social media in relation to the event or related events
Reporting Harassment/Misconduct
If an individual experiences or witnesses’ harassment or misconduct and wishes to file a formal report, they should contact FCMCA Conference organizer at brooke.eastman@mail.wvu.edu for further instruction.
If an individual experiences or witnesses’ harassment or misconduct, it is recommended that, in addition to notifying FCMCA Conference organizers, they write down the details. They are not expected to discuss the incident with the offending party. Their confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of others.