The Society of Physics Students (SPS), Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ), and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) are pleased to welcome all attendees, participants, staff, volunteers, speakers, media, service providers, and other stakeholders (collectively, “participants”) to SPS and ΣΠΣ events. SPS is open to all SPS members and those with an interest in understanding and advancing the physical sciences community.

To foster a positive experience built upon open communication, professionalism, and respect, all SPS and ΣΠΣ participants are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct at all events and venues, including ancillary meetings, workshops, and social events

Scope

By becoming a member of SPS or ΣΠΣ, you agree that you have read and will follow the guidelines and expectations in this Code of Conduct. When at an SPS or Sigma Pi Sigma event, you agree to up hold the principles of this Code of Conduct.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Participants are expected to treat all other participants with respect, professionalism and consideration. Everyone should strive to foster an environment of learning, creativity and exchange of ideas. Open communication and collaboration with others is encouraged.

Feedback and critiques should be limited to ideas and delivered with compassion, and should be received and considered in the spirit of fairness, dedication, and improvement. Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Promptly notify appropriate staff (whether department, SPS, or AIP Staff, or volunteers) if you notice any dangerous physical situation or someone in distress. All participants must respect and obey all laws, rules, and regulations of the city, county, and state in which the event is being conducted, as well as the rules of the facilities/university.

Inappropriate Behavior

SPS, ΣΠΣ, and AIP are dedicated to providing a safe and harassment-free experience for all participants regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or other attributes protected by law. SPS/ΣΠΣ and AIP will not tolerate harassment of participants in any form.

Reporting Inappropriate Behavior

If you are the subject of inappropriate behavior or a witness to behavior that violates professional and respectful conduct, immediately notify a SPS or AIP Staff member, or volunteer in a leadership position. Notification may also be done by emailing or calling the SPS staff, AIP Staff, or a volunteer in a leadership position and is kept confidential. Anyone experiencing behavior that constitutes an immediate and serious threat is advised to locate a telephone, SPS/ΣΠΣ leader, ask for the security office, and/or immediately call 911.

Event Consequences

If a participant engages in harassing or similar inappropriate behavior, SPS and AIP reserve the right to take any action which the SPS or AIP Staff may deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from SPS/ΣΠΣ events without refund. Anyone asked to stop or modify any behavior deemed unacceptable is expected to comply immediately. SPS/AIP will not tolerate any form of retaliation against individuals who file a complaint or provide assistance in investigating a complaint. SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma reserve the right to remove your membership over actions taken at an event, both official or implied.

Respecting intellectual property

By registering for or attending any SPS, ΣΠΣ, AIP, or a related event, each participant acknowledges and agrees that they may be photographed, audiotaped, or video recorded. Each participant grants SPS and AIP the right and permission to publish, own, modify, and edit any video photograph, audio, or video recordings containing the participant’s image or likeness.

Participants are prohibited from recording or photographing another participant’s presentation or intellectual property (in whole or in part) without the express written permission of SPS/AIP and the presenting participant. Sharing content of another participant’s presentation or intellectual property (via social media or otherwise) may affect or jeopardize intellectual property rights.

Those authorized to photograph SPS/ΣΠΣ events, including talks and poster sessions, for the purposes of chronicling/reporting should aim to capture the events and excitement of the conference and not capture individual’s research in a readable or specific form. The unauthorized recording, photographing, or distributing of another participant’s intellectual property shall be considered objectionable conduct allowing for recourse against the offending party.