Code of Conduct

The Astronomy group at TAMU is committed to creating and maintaining a professional and respectful environment. All of the astronomy group members mentioned on this website have agreed to the Code of Conduct.

Guidelines

• Respect physical and personal boundaries.
• Be respectful of the views and rights of others.
• Respect the pronouns that individuals use to identify themselves.
• Criticisms should be constructive and professional, and should aim for a positive outcome.
• Be aware of power differentials between people at different academic stages (undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, staff, faculty). Act to protect and empower academically younger individuals.
• Support those who report violations of departmental or university policy.
• Speak up if you witness unacceptable behavior and/or report it afterward.

Unacceptable behavior includes:

• Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or retaliation in any form.
• Physical or verbal abuse of anyone, such as disparaging comments related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental disability, physical appearance or body size, age, socio-economic status, veteran status, race, color, religion, national origin, or marital/domestic partnership status.
• Making microaggressions, stereotypes, and unwelcome jokes.
• Unwelcome physical contact.
• All behavior considered inappropriate or prohibited under Title IX.

Reporting and resolving incidents

For resolving incidents that do not violate Title IX

• If you encounter unacceptable behavior, please discuss the incident with your academic supervisor or with members of your academic committee.
• If nothing is done to prevent future incidents, or if the unacceptable behavior does not stop, talk to the academic advisor (Emily Berger, eberger@tamu.edu), the Climate & Diversity Committee chair (Dr. George Welch, grw@tamu.edu), the department chair (Dr. Grigory Rogachev, rogachev@tamu.edu), or an Ombudsperson.
• If repeated unacceptable behavior persists, it may fall under Title IX (see below).

For resolving incidents that violate Title IX, or that involve hate or bias

• You can report incidents to TAMU’s Title IX office (civilrights@tamu.edu), including online with TAMU’s Title IX reporting website, or to Jennifer Smith, JD (TAMU Title IX officer, jennifer.smith@tamu.edu).
• For more information about how to report incidents to Title IX, see the TAMU Title IX FAQ page.
• You can report incidents involving hate/bias at TAMU's online Stop Hate webpage.

If you're unsure of where — or even if — to report an incident

• You can discuss the incident with your academic supervisor. Other members of the department available to discuss any incidents include: Emily Berger (academic advisor, eberger@tamu.edu), Dr. George Welch (Climate & Diversity committee chair, grw@tamu.edu), and Dr. Grigory Rogachev (department chair, rogachev@tamu.edu). The people named here can keep your information confidential at your request, pending institutional or legal reporting requirements (see the "Note on mandatory reporting" below). However, anonymity may limit remediation options.
• You can report incidents online to the Climate & Diversity committee’s Anonymous Comments & Suggestions form. However, the anonymity of the form may limit remediation options.
• An Ombudsperson can have a confidential conversation with you to help you decide what to do. They can also help with conflict resolution.

Note on mandatory reporting: Texas A&M employees — including faculty, staff, and student employees — are mandatory reporters. This means that, if they are made aware of alleged discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation, they are legally required to report the incident to the university's Title IX officer.