CODE OF CONDUCT

AIC strives to provide a welcoming and respectful environment where all attendees are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and engage in conversations with other immunologists to learn from one another. 

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

We expect all attendees to:

  • Be considerate and respectful in their language and actions

  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others

  • Be respectful in discussing and debating ideas

  • Ask for consent of the presenter before making audio or visual recordings of data

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

Inappropriate behavior during the conference will not be tolerated.  Types of behavior considered unacceptable will include, but not be limited to the following:

  • Sustained disruptions of the meeting

  • Acts or comments that demean another person due to their gender identity or expression, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, age, or disability

  • Intimidation or harassment of any protected class, including sexual harassment

  • Real or implied threat of physical harm, professional damage, or financial harm

  • Destruction of property

  • Retaliating against an individual for reporting discrimination or harassment

  • Intentionally filing a report of discrimination or harassment in bad faith (false claim)

WHAT TO DO IF YOU OBSERVE OR EXPERIENCE VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

If you believe that you have experienced behavior at AIC that violates this Code of Conduct in any way, please report the issue promptly so the situation can be addressed immediately. For the fastest response, please notify the AIC Councilor in person or via email (for 2024, this is Dr. Kerry Empey); you may also contact any other member of the AIC Executive Council. 

The AIC Councilor will convene an ad hoc committee consisting of four additional AIC General Council members to investigate the matter.  In most cases, the results of the inquiry will be shared with both the person who made the report and the person accused of violating the policy.  If you request anonymity, this will be respected to the fullest extent possible, but the ability of AIC to investigate anonymous reports may be limited by the need to balance privacy concerns and fairness to all persons involved. Further, AIC reserves the right to notify law enforcement personnel should the allegations be serious enough to warrant this action. As such, while AIC will strive to keep all information as confidential as possible, it cannot promise absolute confidentiality.

Any actions taken against the person accused of acting inappropriately will be at the sole discretion of AIC and may include: a warning to stop the behavior, discharge from the conference or seminar without warning or refund, restrictions on future attendance at AIC. Requests for private or public apologies will be solicited only after consultation with the person who made the report.  These consequences will apply equally to all conference attendees, regardless of their seniority or perceived status in the field.

Individuals who have questions, concerns, or complaints related to harassment are also encouraged to contact the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (HHS OCR).  Filing a complaint with HHS OCR at www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/  can be done at any time regardless of whether or not you choose to notify the AIC Councilor.