May 4, 2021
Statement of Support for SAFS Code of Conduct from EI committee
The Code of Conduct helps define inclusive, ethical, and collegial behavior at SAFS. It also provides links to resources and support services at the University of Washington for those who have experienced discrimination or harassment. This information is very valuable and we thank the SAFS360 committee for their hard work and perseverance, willingness to reach out to others for input, and their patience and empathy while they listened and learned.
We encourage each and every member of SAFS to review and discuss the Code of Conduct with their colleagues, collaborators, labs, and with the Equity and Inclusion Committee. Institutional and personal accountability is a big component of the Code of Conduct. Accountability is “the glue that ties commitment to the result.” Each and every one of us, but especially those in positions of power, have a responsibility to hold their coworkers, employees, and students accountable for following the Code of Conduct. We recognize that everyone may make mistakes or fall short of commitments but these are opportunities for learning and growth.
The Code of Conduct is new to us. It has yet to be finalized, and we have yet to put it in practice, at a personal level and at an institutional level. There may be some trial and error in its implementation, and what we learn over time will help refine the Code of Conduct. For example, at the All Hands Meeting where the Code of Conduct was introduced to SAFS, it became apparent that a large virtual meeting was perhaps not the most effective way to foster discussion at the departmental level. We recognize that “office hours” for feedback on the Code of Conduct were available by peer group. Organizers of future meetings, in coordination with the facilitator, might consider summarizing the feedback at the beginning of the meeting to help start discussion. They could also continue to use peer break-out groups for part of the discussions, as people will likely feel more comfortable providing feedback in this setting, and then have report backs to the whole group. We are still learning how to have these types of discussions in the workplace, and require space to learn together in a supportive environment.
We look forward to using the Code of Conduct and contributing to this “living document”.
Statement from SAFS Equity & Inclusion committee approved by vote
Other related information:
“Our Recent All Hands Meeting” email (2021-04-27)
All Hands Notes Summary
Discussing the Code of Conduct in Group Meetings