Reports may be submitted in by filling out the following form: 

Reports may be submitted by:

• Individuals who have been harmed by a violation of this Code of Conduct.

• Witnesses to a violation of this Code of Conduct.

• Third parties in possession of information regarding a violation of this Code of Conduct.

Information that is helpful to include in reports:

• Identifying information of the person who has violated the Code of Conduct.

• A description of the behavior that was in violation of the Code of Conduct, including what, where, and when.

• Other people involved in or witness to the incident and any available contact information.

• Links to any publicly available records (e.g. tweets, session recordings, etc.) or other relevant information.

As a general rule, a committee member will take the following steps upon receiving a Code of Conduct report:

• Assess the situation to determine whether immediate action is necessary to prevent further harm.

• Contact the person making the report (if possible) to gather any additional information and determine how anyone harmed by the violation can be best supported.

• Investigate the report to the extent that the details provided allow, including reviewing any documentation, interviewing the parties involved, interviewing any witnesses, and gathering additional evidence. 

• Convene the Kansas OER Summit Team to review the findings of the investigation and decide what, if any, enforcement action to take. 

• Notify the Steering Committee of the decision, withholding confidential details if necessary, and consult any intended action with the person making the report (if possible).

• Communicate the outcome of the investigation and any sanctions to the person reported for violating the Code of Conduct. 

• Inform any other relevant parties or participants, if applicable.

In general, the Kansas OER Summit Team will begin to process a report as soon as it is received by a committee member. The procedure and length of time it takes to fully process a report will depend on the circumstances of the report. There is no time limit or statute of limitations on when reports may be submitted.

All formal reports will be documented along with any action taken, and the records held by the KBOR OER Steering Committee. 

Those submitting Code of Conduct reports may request confidentiality. The Kansas OER Steering Committee takes confidentiality seriously and will protect confidentiality in the reporting process to every extent possible. Confidential information will be circulated to the minimum number of people necessary to process the report, and documentation will be handled with utmost sensitivity. 

Reports may be submitted anonymously. While anonymous reports will be taken seriously, reporting an incident anonymously or wishing not to disclose key details (e.g. the name of the person being reported) may inhibit the Kansas OER Summit Team’s ability to take enforcement action. 

Discrimination occurs when a participant is denied equal opportunity and suffers unfavorable or disparate treatment because of that individual’s identity, which may include their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or other protected categories under the law.  

Harassment is unwelcome conduct (whether physical, verbal, written, or via technology) that is based on a person’s identity or protected class, which may include their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or other protected categories under the law. Moreover, harassing behavior not based on any of the above discriminatory factors that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment also is unacceptable and subject to enforcement action under the Code of Conduct. Harassment and harassing behavior has the purpose or potential effect of interfering with an individual’s ability to participate in KS OER Summit.

Some examples of harassment include (but are not limited to):

• Offensive comments related to a person’s identity or protected class

• Using epithets, slurs or stereotypes

• Mocking, ridiculing, or mimicking another’s culture, accent, appearance, or custom

• Deliberate intimidation, threats of violence, or incitement of violence (including encouraging self-harm)

• Stalking or following

• Harassing photography or recording, including logging online activity for harassment purposes

• Continued one-on-one communication after requests to cease

• Publication of private information, including private communications (unless publication is necessary to protect oneself or others from intentional abuse) or deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent

Sexual Harassment encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual or gendered nature that interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in KS OER Summit activities or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment can include such behaviors as unwanted touching or unwelcome conduct (whether physical, verbal, written, or via technology) of a sexual or gendered nature.  

Some examples of sexual harassment include (but are not limited to):

• Unwelcome and repeated flirtations, propositions, advances, staring, or other sexual attention

• Unwelcome physical contact

• Use of sexually suggestive language, gestures, or sounds (including whistling)  

• Display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures

• Offensive, insulting, derogatory, or degrading remarks related to sex or gender

• Unwelcome comments about appearance

• Deliberate misgendering, including deadnaming (referring to someone who has changed their name by their previous name) and intentional use of pronouns that do not correspond to a person’s gender identity or specified preference

• Sexual jokes or use of sexually explicit or offensive language

• Gender- or sex-based pranks

• Demands for sexual favors in exchange for favorable or preferential treatment