SEI Code of Conduct
The Summer Educational Institute is committed to creating and supporting inclusive, diverse, and equitable communities of practice. We strive to be a welcoming organization that provides information professionals with a substantive educational and professional development opportunity focused on the digital stewardship of visual information and the opportunity to create and participate in a network of supportive colleagues.
How to Be
SEI is dedicated to providing a workshop experience that is free from all forms of harassment and is inclusive of all people. Small actions you can take will help us meet this goal. For instance, we suggest: listening as much as you speak and remembering that colleagues may have expertise you are unaware of; encouraging and yielding the floor to those whose viewpoints may be under-represented in a group; using welcoming language, for instance by honoring pronoun preferences and favoring gender-neutral collective nouns (“people,” not “guys”); accepting critique graciously and offering it constructively; giving credit where it is due; seeking concrete ways to make physical spaces and online resources more universally accessible; and staying alert, as Active Bystanders, to the welfare of those around you.
Likewise, it is important to understand the range of behaviors that may constitute harassment. Harassment can include unwelcome or offensive verbal comments or nonverbal expressions related to age; appearance or body size; employment or military status; ethnicity; gender identity or expression; individual lifestyles; marital status; national origin; physical or cognitive ability; political affiliation; sexual orientation; race; or religion. Harassment can also include the use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spheres (including online); deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other bullying behavior; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.
Sexual, discriminatory, or potentially triggering language and imagery is generally inappropriate for any SEI event. However, this policy is not intended to constrain responsible scholarly or professional discourse and debate. We welcome engagement with difficult topics, done with respect and care.
What to Do
That said, we will not tolerate the harassment of SEI community members in any form. If you are being harassed, notice that someone is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact one of the SEI Co-Chairs immediately.
In Zoom, SEI Co-Chairs can be identified by their name and the phrase “SEI Co-Chair” after their name. You may also contact the Co-Chairs via email at sei@vraweb.org, kmthorn@uoregon.edu, or houstonl@berea.edu. They will assist participants by asking participants engaged in harmful behavior to stop the harassing or intimidating behaviors and helping those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. All reports and inquiries will be handled in confidence.
Participants at the SEI Workshop or any SEI-hosted discussion or event who are asked to stop harassing or intimidating behaviors are expected to comply immediately. Those who violate our code of conduct may be warned, sanctioned, or expelled at the discretion of the organizers.
We value your presence and constructive participation in our shared community, and thank you for your attention to the comfort, safety, and well-being of fellow SEI attendees, instructors, and Co-Chairs.
SEI Workshop Code of Conduct is adapted from DLF Code of Conduct CC-BY-NC 4.0, with reference to the ARLIS/NA Code of Conduct and VRA Code of Conduct.