The Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) community takes pride in the depth and breadth of its collaboration, bringing together experts and early career researchers from all backgrounds and disciplines to improve our understanding of all aspects of earthquake system science. We recognize that diversity in our community is critical to the robustness of our science. The Center’s working groups, workshops, field activities, and annual meetings enable our community to collaborate over sustained periods, building strong interpersonal networks that promote intellectual exchange and mutual support. The SCEC Activities Code of Conduct (Code) outlines specific expectations for participants at all SCEC-supported events. SCEC is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, presenters, SCEC staff, service providers, and accompanying guests. This Code applies to all SCEC events where the community gathers for the purposes of advancing SCEC goals, including online meetings, field trips and social events, held at the event venue or off-site.

By accepting an invitation to participate in a SCEC-supported event, by email or online registration, participants agree to abide by the SCEC Activities Code of Conduct.

Expected Behavior

Acknowledging that the most valuable exchange of information sometimes occurs outside of formal meeting events, all participants are expected to maintain the following behaviors during all official and unofficial/social activities:

• Treat all participants, attendees, SCEC staff, venue staff, and guests with respect and consideration at all times.
• Be collaborative, recognizing the value of a diversity of experiences, views, and opinions.
• Communicate openly with respect for others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert SCEC staff and/or leadership if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
• Follow the policies of the meeting venue, hotel, SCEC contracted facility, or any other location where your SCEC affiliation is likely to be displayed.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Offensive comments, either verbally or through any other communication channel, related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, medical condition, body size, race, marital status, religion, national origin or any other protected characteristic.
• Threats (implied or real) of physical, professional or financial harm.
• Intentional, uninvited physical contact of any form.
• Behavior that is in violation of the established ethics policies of one’s home institution, or of SCEC’s sponsoring organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the US Geological Survey and the University of Southern California.

Consequences and Reporting

• Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
• If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please report it to the SCEC Director Yehuda Ben-Zion, SCEC Co-Director Greg Beroza, a member of the Committee on Professional Conduct (below), or the event convener(s).
• If you experience or witness behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, or a crime, call 911 immediately. Take actions necessary to maintain your own personal safety first.
• SCEC staff (or their designee) or venue security may take actions deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning. SCEC reserves the right to report the circumstances to the appropriate authorities, including but not limited to the police and/or the involved party’s home institution(s).

As of November 2021, the members of the Committee on Professional Conduct are

• David Oglesby, University of California, Riverside (Chair)
• Ramon Arrowsmith, Arizona State University
• Judi Chester, Texas A&M University
• Ahmed Elbanna, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This Activities Code of Conduct was approved by the SCEC Board of Directors in June 2018