The BGSA Code of Conduct (CoC) was first drafted by members of the organization in 2020. Officers are expected to abide by the CoC in BGSA-related settings. The CoC is a living document, with revisions made every year, facilitated by the CoC Rep.
Last Updated: 3/25/2022
Statement of Values
Our goal as an organization is to represent the needs and concerns of graduate students in the Biology department. In doing so, we maintain a strong commitment to community-building among graduate students. Membership in an organization inherently evokes the notion of belonging, and we strive to make this organization one where all members feel included and are encouraged and able to participate, regardless of career stage or background. Furthermore, these values are not limited to our membership, but extend to outreach to undergraduates and interactions with our academic community at large.
In order to implement these values in the Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA), we strive to:
- Welcome and value the diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives of our community members,
- Recognize that a diverse community strengthens and improves our research by broadening our perspectives and approaches,
- Work to identify and correct biases in all of our organizational activities through acknowledgement, action, and transparency,
- Acknowledge the ways in which biology has historically been used to justify and promote discriminatory practices and address the lasting impacts of these discriminatory practices,
- Break down the social barriers among scientists at different career stages and promote inclusion across subdisciplines,
- Be mindful of how words and actions may be perceived by others, and accept the divergence between intent and impact.
BGSA Code of Conduct
Every student at University of Florida is required to abide by the Student Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct (https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-code-student-conduct-code/). Here we describe how this university-wide code of conduct applies to the biology department graduate student community, and more specifically to the conduct of BGSA officers and committee members. We require the following Code of Conduct be honored by all members of BGSA.
BGSA is dedicated to providing a safe, hospitable, and productive environment for all members. Accordingly, BGSA prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment in all organizational activities, including events (online or in person), email correspondence, social media, etc. Any misconduct on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, physical appearance, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other descriptive category will not be tolerated. Unacceptable treatment of others includes (but is not limited to) harassment, stalking, belittling, discrimination, bullying/intimidation/trolling, assault, and retaliation (see below for descriptions).
Examples/Descriptions of Inappropriate Behavior
- Harassment: Using words or actions that are unwanted, unwelcome, demeaning, degrading, abusive, or offensive, and to persist in such language or actions despite declination, resistance, protest, or rebuke by the recipient(s) of those actions; also stalking (physically) or trolling (digitally).
- Belittling: Treating someone in a condescending manner and/or with the assumption of incompetence.
- Discrimination: Unjust treatment, comments, examples, microaggressions, jokes, and/or evaluation based on an individual’s or individuals’ identity or affiliation with a particular group.
- Bullying / Intimidation / Trolling: Threatening, frightening, humiliating, or causing emotional turmoil to someone with abusive words or actions, in person or online.
- Assault: Making unwelcome physical contact with anyone in any manner, including actual bodily harm and any form of unwanted sexual contact; to threaten bodily harm with an apparent ability to cause harm.
- Retaliation: Taking retaliatory action against others who have, in good faith, raised concerns about their behavior. This may include isolating, mocking, intimidation, or falsely accusing the person of poor performance in response to a report being made.
Addressing Violations
Accountability is important to our goal of implementing the stated values of this organization and enacting this code of conduct. To this aim, we encourage members to speak up and call individuals in, if they are able, when witnessing or experiencing a violation of this code. BGSA officers are not formally trained in conflict management, however, and have limited power in enforcing direct accountability or disciplinary action. Members are therefore encouraged to use the resources currently available at the university for reporting violations of the UF Student Code of Conduct and/or addressing occurrences of inappropriate behaviors. Though, we recognize the inherent difficulties posed by power dynamics and inequity in these reporting processes.
Information about laws and university policies meant to protect us from discrimination and harassment is not always clearly outlined and can be difficult to find. Here we provide several resources for reporting violations of the UF Student Code of Conduct through formal channels at UF and within the Biology department.
Department of Biology Graduate Student Coordinator
Designated as a formal channel for reporting and resolving of intradepartmental conflicts experienced by graduate students.
The Office of Ombuds
Designated as a “neutral” party within the university, the ombuds will work with staff and students to interpret university policy and help identify options and strategies for resolving issues/conflict.
All communications with the Office of the Ombuds are confidential.
The Office for Accessibility and Gender Equity (Title IX)
This is the office for reporting violations based on sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity (e.g., sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic abuse, or stalking) and issuing penalties for violations (e.g., termination).
They also provide consultation, education, trainings, and are responsible for ensuring the university responds appropriately, effectively, and equitably to sex-based misconduct.
Division of Student Affairs
If a violation to the UF Code of Student Conduct occurs, an incident report may be submitted to this office.
The Student Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The DRC works to provide student and workplace accommodations and accessibility consulting. You can find information on Disability Law and other protections on their website and report ADA non-compliance.
UF Human Resources Employee Relations
As graduate student TAs / RAs, we are employees of the university. Employee Relations oversees the investigative process of discrimination, harassment, and violations of UR regulations or policies.
This website also has more detailed information on the actual protections and policies UF is required to uphold (laws against discrimination with respect to race, religion, sexual orientation, etc).
Presidential LGTBQ+ Advisory Committee
A committee that serves as a forum to which various individuals and groups can express concerns related to issues of homophobia and transphobia.
This committee provides a system for reporting discrimination.
The Office of the Chief Diversity Officer
This office along with associations outside of the university, such as the Asian Faculty and Staff Association, Association of Black Faculty and Staff, and Latinx Staff and Faculty Association, may be able to provide additional resources or support in cases of race/ethnicity-based discrimination.
Student Legal Services
An on-campus organization that provides free legal advice to students.
The Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action page has additional information and resources.
Mental Health Resources
The inappropriate behaviors described above can be damaging to one’s mental health. Therefore, if you have been subject to any of these behaviors please consider utilizing some of the many mental health resources available to graduate students at the University of Florida listed below. If you have any questions about these services, please reach out to the BGSA Mental Health Committee.
Talkspace
UF Graduate students enrolled in GatorGradCare have access to free, unlimited online therapy through Talkspace. Once you enroll, Talkspace will match you with a therapist who you can talk with via text, audio, or video messaging.
Employee Assistance Program
Available for free to all graduate students and will provide 6 free counseling sessions with a community provider.
UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)
Offers a variety of mental health services ranging short-term individual counseling to long-term group therapy.
Alachua County Crisis Center
24-hour telephone crisis intervention and counseling service offered by trained volunteers under the supervision of the Crisis Center Staff.
Crisis line: 352-264-6789