Department of Biostatistics Code of Conduct

The Department of Biostatistics is committed to providing a welcoming, intellectually stimulating, and inclusive experience for everyone in our community, regardless of their origins, personal characteristics, or beliefs. We do not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind in our community. Sexual language or imagery is not appropriate for any work event, including classes, meetings, conferences, talks, parties, Twitter or other online media. Neither will we tolerate discrimination or harassment with respect to sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or other characteristics comprising people’s status and identities. Without exception, these behaviors are unacceptable.

This code of conduct applies to all individuals affiliated with the Department, including faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars and temporary employees. It applies to all modes of interaction, both in-person and online, including social media of all forms, GitHub project repos, and the like. Departmental affiliates violating it will be referred to the Title IX coordinator at JHU.

The Department strives to maintain a positive culture. All Department of Biostatistics members agree to:

Be considerate in speech and actions, and actively seek to acknowledge and respect the boundaries of other members.

Be respectful. Disagreements occur, but they should be addressed in a civil manner. Frustration may be unavoidable, but should never devolve into attacking a person or a group. A community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive one; highest creativity can only occur in a community where people feel safe and supported. Department of Biostatistics members are expected to be respectful of other members of the Department and to be ambassadors of such behavior everywhere.

Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech. Harassment includes, but is not limited to: deliberate intimidation; stalking; demeaning comments or gestures; exclusionary actions; unwanted photography or recording; sustained or willful disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; use of sexual or discriminatory imagery, comments, or jokes; and unwelcome sexual attention. If someone asks you to stop, then stop.

Take care of each other. Refrain from advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviors. Actively advocate for respectful, inclusive behavior. Alert campus safety and security or the JHU sexual assault hotline if you notice a dangerous situation.

Need Help?

Anyone who believes they are experiencing harassment or discrimination must feel free and open to seek redress. If you find yourself in such a situation, or if you notice someone in distress or violation of this code of conduct, you will have the full support of the department in reporting it and in pursuing resolution. In such cases, please alert Elizabeth A. Stuart (Chair), John McGready (Student Support Faculty), or any person in a position of authority in the Department. Students can also provide anonymous feedback and comments about any aspect of the Department of Biostatistics, including the graduate program.