Purpose and Scope

As a vital partner in advancing transformative learning and research, Orbis Cascade Alliance (the “Alliance”) values creating welcoming and safe spaces and interactions in line with its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This Code of Conduct sets expected standards of behavior including, but not limited to in-person, online, and asynchronous communications. This policy applies to all Alliance employees, member staff, Board officers, and Council representatives, as well as to all volunteers, vendors and guests who are participating in Alliance events. 

The Alliance will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all involved parties are aware of this Code of Conduct and that any complaint about a violation of the Code of Conduct will be investigated and resolved appropriately.

Principles of Good Conduct

The Alliance’s goal is to ensure that all the consortium’s community members can engage with each other in Alliance spaces, communities, and activities, free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault. Mutual respect for each person’s rights and dignity is central to the core of Alliance values:

We value open communication, innovation, agility, discussion and collaborative decision making that elicits and includes the perspectives of each member. We value and nurture strong and lasting personal and institutional commitments to our work together. Where differences occur we value open debate, exploration, willingness to change, and the creation of solutions that serve the collective good of our member colleges and universities as a whole.

The Alliance encourages a culture of good conduct through active listening, using welcoming language, accepting critique graciously and offering it constructively, giving credit where it is due, and staying attuned to the welfare of those around you. In the interest of inclusion, participants are asked to be mindful about balancing voices, allowing multiple voices to be heard, and making room in the conversation for those whose viewpoints may be underrepresented.  Discourse or debate on controversial subject matter should be handled with care. Self-education is also encouraged to broaden perspectives and cultivate tolerance for differences. 

This Code of Conduct prohibits discrimination or harassment and is in addition to all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment because of race, national origin, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military, marital or family status.

Examples of discriminatory or harassing behaviors can include but are not limited to unwelcome or offensive graphic, written, verbal comments or nonverbal expressions; deliberate intimidation; stalking; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; bullying; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.

Remedies

The person who is found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct or behavior in violation of this Code of Conduct will be subject to appropriate coaching and sanctions, including but not limited to required educational courses, penalties, discipline, and potential removal from participation in Alliance events, meetings, communications, and appointments. 

This Code of Conduct is not a contract and may be amended at any time. 

Incident Reporting and Investigative Procedures

The procedures for reporting and investigating violations of the Alliance Code of Conduct are described in the Code of Conduct Incident Reporting and Investigative Procedures.