Non-Discrimination and Code of ConductThe mission of the Paleontological Society is to promote and advance the science of paleontology. To accomplish this mission, the Paleontological Society strives to create an inclusive and safe environment for its members that celebrates the diversity of ideas, identities, and experiences vital to advance our science. The intention of the Policy on Non-Discrimination and Member Code of Conduct is to address ongoing issues within our scientific community that are long rooted in our history and are detrimental and antithetical to the mission of the Paleontological Society. This Policy provides a framework for all individuals to uphold their ethical responsibilities and enforce the values inherent in the mission of the Paleontological Society. Individuals are responsible to commit themselves to act ethically, not violate the Policy, and encourage others to do the same The Paleontological Society’s Policy on Non-discrimination and Member Code of ConductProvisionally ratified by the Paleontological Society Council on March 1, 2019 Formally ratified after legal counsel review by the Council on April 29, 2019
The Paleontological Society (the “Society”) strives to provide an environment that encourages the free expression and exchange of scientific ideas. In pursuit of that environment, the Society is committed to equality, both in opportunity and in treatment, for all of its members. We believe that one of our strengths as a Society rests in our diverse membership, and that such diversity is integral to the advancement of our Society, and to the continued rigor and ingenuity of paleontological research. The Society will not discriminate in its activities or services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, disability, or military service or veteran status. The Society will strive to ensure that all Society sponsored meetings and functions are conducted in a professional manner in which all participants are treated with dignity and respect. The Society recognizes any behavior as unacceptable when it has the effect (or could reasonably be assumed to have the effect) of creating, contributing to, or maintaining a professional environment that is hostile toward or damaging to a person or group on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, disability, or military service or veteran status. Such unacceptable behaviors are prohibited by the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct provided herein applies to all members of the Society, including student, professional, amateur, and retired members, and to all participants in Society and Society-sponsored events. Membership or participation in the Paleontological Society and its sponsored events constitutes an agreement to adhere to the Code of Conduct. These policies cover member conduct in all professional and educational settings and related environments, and in relation to both members and non-members. These settings may include, but are not limited to:
The Society is in the process of developing policy and procedures focused on scientific ethics and misconduct related to publications and fossil collecting, which will be added to this document in the near future. Members of the Society and participants in Society events (hereafter “Society members”) agree to adhere to the Policy of Non-discrimination and Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all Paleontological Society sponsored events and activities. Expectations with respect to the conduct and actions of Society members are as follows:
Behaviors that are prohibited and which may result in disciplinary action include:
The Paleontological Society is a vibrant volunteer-run organization, with top scientific journals, and a grants and awards program that recognizes the scientific potential, contributions, and achievements of its members. Candidates and nominees for volunteer governance positions (Council and committee members), authors of manuscripts in Paleontological Society journals, and nominees or applicants for grants and awards are expected to meet all expectations outlined in this Code of Conduct. Paleontological Society members will be asked annually to self-disclose professional conduct as part of the membership renewal or onboarding process. All others will be required to submit a PS professional conduct self-disclosure form (link provided here). Whether completing the form or, in the case of members, providing relevant information during annual renewal/onboarding, respondents are asked to convey information regarding any known past allegations or institutional proceedings related to the candidate’s professional conduct, including any pending investigations. This self-reporting of past or pending investigations into an individual’s professional conduct does not automatically disqualify an author/candidate/nominee. However, each report will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee and follow-up discussions may be needed if there are areas of concern. Click here to access the Paleontological Society Professional Conduct Self-Reporting Form. 6. Reporting an Allegation of Code of Conduct Violation If one is subject to or witnesses prohibited behavior, they should notify either a member of the Ethics Committee (see below), a Society member with a designated leadership position (e.g., President, field trip leader, etc.), an individual holding such a position at an affiliate meeting where the incident occurred, or an individual holding such positions at institutions where the incident occurred. Society members acting in leadership positions, whether for an established term (e.g., elected officials, committee members, etc.) or temporarily (e.g., field trip leaders, session organizers, etc.) are required to report any incidences of prohibited behavior that they directly witness or have reported to them to the Ethics Committee to ensure that all parties involved receive appropriate consideration and follow-up. Anyone subject to or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public or individual safety or a criminal act should contact local law enforcement. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety. The following procedures, which are a modified version of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) procedures for reporting an allegation, shall apply to the reporting of prohibited behavior: For information about how to submit an allegation report using the secure NAVEX online conduct reporting platforms, please click here. Allegations of misconduct by Paleontological Society members or event attendees must be submitted using officially designated online platforms, in writing either directly to any member of the Paleontological Society Council, a member of the Ethics Committee, or directly to the email address of the Ethics Committee in order for an investigation to be opened. Written allegations may also be mailed to: Chair of Ethics Committee In advance of potential submission of an allegation, members of the Ethics Committee will also be available to speak about alleged misconduct and the investigation process, but written documentation will be required to initiate an investigation. All documents and information pertaining to such allegations should be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality by those involved in the investigation process insofar as said confidentiality would not reasonably interfere with law enforcement related to such an incident or result in physical, professional, or psychological harm to any party during the course of the investigation or outside of the scope of any sanctions, should they be applied. Individuals involved in a reported incident of alleged misconduct, including victims, witnesses, and those alleged to have engaged in prohibited behavior(s), will not engage in retaliatory behavior during or after the reporting process. Engaging in retaliatory behavior will be deemed a breach of these guidelines. If allegations pertain to criminal activity or pose a reasonable risk to public safety, the allegation(s) will be reported to the appropriate authorities. An allegation report must contain the following information:
Allegations may be returned if they do not contain the above information. If a participant in Society activities would like to speak with a member of the Ethics Committee about potential Code of Conduct violations and/or about the reporting process, they may send an email to a committee member or to the Ethics Committee email and request a conversation. When a member or participant in Society activities is sanctioned by another organization for misconduct or convicted of criminal activity, the Ethics Committee and Society Council may consider its own sanctions. 7. The Paleontological Society Ethics Committee and Its Role in the Review of Allegations of Misconduct The Ethics Committee is responsible for investigating reported allegations and will determine which allegations are substantial and thereby require investigation. The chair of the Ethics Committee will coordinate the Society’s investigations of misconduct. The Ethics Committee reports to the Council of the Paleontological Society, which has the final authority to determine what action(s) will be taken if an allegation of misconduct is substantiated. The Ethics Committee is a standing committee that will be convened only as needed. The Past-President of the Society will serve as Chair. The Ethics Committee will consist of a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Education and Outreach Committee, the Nominating Committee, a Journal Editor, a member of one of the Society’s Award Committees and a Student Representative. The standing members of these committees will select a representative to the ethics committee. Ethics committee members will receive training on how to conduct investigation processes and enforce the code of conduct and will serve a term of 2 years, with terms staggered to enhance continuity of the committee’s activities. To achieve the staggered appointment pattern, appointments of the inaugural members representing the Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Outreach, and Nominating Committees will be for three years, and two years thereafter. All investigations will be conducted under strict confidentiality when such confidentiality would not reasonably result in the physical, professional, or psychological harm to any party and when the allegations do not pertain to a crime. Any member of the Ethics Committee or the Society Council that has a personal or professional relationship with a party to an allegation (either accuser or accused) that may pose a potential conflict of interest, shall recuse themselves from the committee/council discussions and any actions related to the allegation. Documentation of recusals will be included in the final report. The person who reported the allegation and the subject(s) of the report will be notified in writing that the report has been received and that an investigation is being conducted, and they will be given an outline of the next steps that will be taken. A person who is the subject of the report also has the opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide information to the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee has 90 days to complete its investigation and to provide a report to the Society Council. This report will include a summary of the alleged violation of the Code of Conduct, a summary of the investigation, a summary of the committee’s discussion of the allegation, and the final recommendation. The Society Council will determine whether to accept and act on the Ethics Committee’s recommendation, and any deviation from the Committee’s recommendation will be explained and justified in writing. In cases where a person in a designated leadership position took immediate action to remedy a violation of the Code of Conduct, a report that documents the incident and the action(s) taken will be submitted to the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee will review such cases and will determine whether or not the actions taken were appropriate and if the case is resolved, or they may decide on the need for additional sanctions. Members and participants in Society activities who are found to have violated the Society’s Code of Conduct may be subject to one or more of the following sanctions: written reprimand or warning, removal from Society positions, suspension from presenting at sponsored meetings, suspension from attending future sponsored activities (including events, field trips, short courses and meetings), suspension from submission of manuscripts to Paleontological Society journals, suspension of Society membership, permanent expulsion from the Society, and/or denial or revocation of grants and awards. These sanctions may be for a predetermined duration or permanent. If a member is deemed to have violated the Society’s Code of Conduct and it has been determined that sanctions are necessary, the Society reserves the right to contact affiliated societies, funding agencies, and the sanctioned member’s home institution(s) regarding member misconduct as part of the Society’s due-diligence in reporting prohibited behavior that may breach the non-discrimination and/or harassment policies of our associates. Any party named in an allegation (either accuser or accused) can file an appeal of an Ethics Committee recommendation and/or Council final determination within 60 days of the final report and notification. The appeal must be sent to a member of the Council executive committee (President, Past-President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer) and include justification for the appeal and new evidence or a narrative that explains why previous evidence should be reconsidered. The Chair of the Ethics Committee and the Society Council will review appeals and determine whether to maintain or revise the original decision on sanctions, or refer the appeal to the Ethics Committee for further consideration. All actions and decisions will be fully documented and communicated with the parties involved in the original reporting of the allegation. There is no absolute statute of limitation for considering violations to the Society Code of Conduct. The Paleontological Society will ensure the timely investigation of reported allegations. 10. Maintenance of a confidential archive The Ethics Committee will record all allegations, investigative processes, decisions, and appeals in a secure database. Access to this database will be limited to the Ethics Committee and the Executive Committee of the Paleontological Society Council. Reports related to Code of Conduct violations will be maintained indefinitely to help address the issue of repeat offenders. A summary report regarding investigations of the Ethics committee will be made available to the Society Council on an annual basis. A review and assessment of the Policy on Non-discrimination and Member Code of Conduct and the Ethics Committee process for investigating reports and determining sanctions will be conducted on an annual basis. This will ensure that all policies and procedures are operating as intended and are kept up to date and reflect current best practices. The review and assessment will be conducted by a Review Committee of three people appointed by the President, with the advice of the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The Review Committee may make recommendations to the Society Council and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee on revisions to the Policy on Non-discrimination and Member Code of Conduct.
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