Code of Professional Conduct

Department of Physics and Astronomy, George Mason University

Adopted by a vote of the Faculty on May 1, 2020

We seek to promote a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for everyone in the Department. We acknowledge the unique impediments that members of under-represented groups can face in pursuing a STEM education and career and commit to actively dismantling those impediments, giving all an equal chance to succeed. In doing so, we elevate our Department by including a wide range of backgrounds, viewpoints, and talents. We value all academic and research contributions and celebrate the success of every person as a member of our community.

All members [1] of our community are expected to treat others with respect and courtesy [2].  All members must adhere to the University’s policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment [3,4] on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, pregnancy status, or genetic information. All members must adhere to the University’s policy on consensual relationships [5].

Academic and research opportunities will be offered, and work will be evaluated, impartially, based on academically relevant criteria and without consideration of irrelevant characteristics.

Members are expected to uphold this code of conduct both within the Department and when representing the Department at external events.

Violations of this code of conduct should be reported using appropriate University channels [6,7]. Retaliation for reporting is prohibited.

[1] Members of the community include all faculty and staff in the Department, all graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the Department’s programs, regardless of degree status, and all students taking courses offered by the Department.

[2] Virginia’s civility policy for employees

[3] The University's non-discrimination policy

[4] The University’s sexual and gender-based harassment policy  

[5] The University’s policy on consensual relationships

[6] The University’s page for reporting discrimination and ethics violations

[7] The University’s Sexual or Interpersonal Misconduct Report Form