Code of Conduct

The Open Education Southern Symposium (OESS) strives to offer an open, inclusive, and friendly environment for all participants. All attendees are expected to help maintain a professional and welcoming environment free of any type of harassment. Together we can create a space where individuals feel free to express themselves, work together, and come up with solutions to today's unique challenges.

The following behaviors are encouraged:

• Be mindful of the space and time you are taking up. Be aware of the dynamics of power and privilege, especially in an online space. Consciously make time for others to have their opinions and thoughts heard.
• Be considerate of others' desire for privacy. There is no requirement to speak, type, or keep a camera on at any point during the online symposium. Individuals are not required to elaborate on the reasons for wishing to remain quiet or anonymous in online spaces.
• Be respectful of others, and accept that differences in opinion and circumstances create a stronger collaborative environment. Actively challenge your own biases and assumptions.
• Be constructive in your criticism, and if criticism must be offered, ensure that you are critiquing ideas, not individuals.

Unacceptable behaviors include the following:

• Any kind of conduct based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual preference, or disability. This may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets, threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults, or interference with an individual's ability to participate in the symposium.
• Any use of sexual images or jokes, or any unwelcome sexual contact in any medium whatsoever.
• Any unfavorable or disparate treatment to an individual or a group due to any aspect of their personal appearance, identity, or protected class.

Any and all breaches of the Code of Conduct are taken very seriously, and may be reported at this Google form, with an option for an anonymous report. The Code of Conduct committee will review these reports and take action as quickly as possible. Anyone who is asked to cease unacceptable behaviors must do so immediately; further breach of the Code of Conduct will result in expulsion from all symposium spaces, including virtual rooms and email lists.

The organizers of OESS appreciate your help in making this symposium a friendly and welcoming virtual experience!