The Conference on Beneficial Microbes is dedicated to the open sharing of scientific ideas. Thus, we support a respectful environment for all participants in this conference. We are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics. We expect all attendees to help us ensure a safe and positive conference experience in which participants can discover, examine critically, preserve, and transmit knowledge, wisdom, and values that will improve the quality of life for all.
All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow Memorial Union rules, and alert Conference staff and/or Conference organization or venue security of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress. Please respect others with social media postings. Refrain from photographing, recording, or videotaping during oral presentations or during poster sessions. Violators may be asked to leave the session. Please do not post images with data or people without express permission.
We will not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying. Harassment is defined as unwanted and unwelcome attention or other conduct that creates an environment where a reasonable person would feel unwelcome, intimidated, excluded, or abused. Harassment based on gender, race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, and any other personal characteristic is strictly prohibited. Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces, and presentations is considered a violation of the meeting Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated.
If a participant experiences or witnesses harassment, the participant should contact Conference staff (at registration, identifiable by their badges) and/or Conference Organizers (Nichole Broderick, Eric Martens) as soon as possible or contact security if they feel unsafe. Event security and local police may be contacted if violators pose an imminent threat to others or are disrupting the event. Individuals may also report incidences via the UW Madison Title IX/Cleary Act link http://go.wisc.edu/report to report outside of the Beneficial Microbes community.
All event participants also are expected to follow conference and venue rules, along with all applicable laws and policies for the event (e.g. public health policies/recommendations). Violation of this code of conduct may result in the participant being asked to leave the conference, without warning or refund; and/or being barred from attending future conferences.
This policy applies to all conference attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests.