Code of Conduct

To the extent possible under law, TAG has waived all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this code of conduct document. Please feel free to use it as a basis for your own.

TAG PROTOCOLS & CODE OF CONDUCT

The code of conduct codifies certain behaviours and lab rules that are not described in our values, as well as what the process is like when something happens that doesn’t match our values or lab rules. Whether you are a student, staff, or faculty member of TAG or a guest here, you are expected to abide by these rules in our physical and digital spaces, at our events, or when representing TAG. This applies to everyone regardless of their status or position of power within the research centre.

It is entirely possible that situations will arise that are not explicitly covered by the values or code of conduct presented here. In such situations, it will always be our objective to listen and to do our best to improve and iterate on this document and our approaches to handling similar scenarios in the future.

Public Events

Members of the public conducting themselves inappropriately at events, or in ways out of sync with our values and code and conduct, may be asked to leave, and potentially not allowed in the space in the future.

Lab Maintenance

There are many detailed notes around lab resources and etiquette, most of which can be found in the online resources provided to members. In general, members are expected to clean up after themselves, especially work projects and food messes. We also expect members to respect the space as a commons: do not leave your personal property everywhere; similarly, do not interfere with other members’ personal belongings. While it is possible to have an assigned desk, members do not “own” their work stations, and should endeavour to leave these spaces in a clean and presentable state. A great deal of lab equipment is available for loan for research purposes, but members must notify the lab coordinator when they’ve taken an item and return the item in question at the agreed upon time.

Digital Spaces

TAG is not solely a physical space. We manage a Discord server and a Gather space for our membership, we upkeep a Wiki to document lab rules and resources, and lab events are often hosted on platforms such as Zoom. We expect members to hold these virtual venues to the same standards as our physical lab spaces. We recognize that the influx of activity within these virtual spaces may produce unexpected issues and outcomes; as such, we are committed to being flexible and making adjustments to meet the needs of the community.

Harassment

Harassment may be constituted by a series of actions, which, taken together, result in harassing behaviour, or one serious incident which impacts the person who has been harassed. Inappropriate or harassing behaviour is never permissible.

TAG acts in accordance with Concordia’s larger policy on harassing behaviour, and more specifically urges members who feel uncomfortable or harassed in situations to know that they have several avenues of recourse, which are listed in the Resolution Methods section of this document. If you would like some clear-cut examples of what constitutes harassing behaviour, please visit Annex A of this Government of Canada guide.

Members are encouraged to be self-aware of how their choices with regard to language (including body language), tone, or volume could be intimidating when expressing themselves and engaging with others.

Guests

TAG members are welcome to bring guests into the lab, whether these guests are significant others, friends, or visiting scholars, artists, and designers. However, members and their guests must respect lab activities: if a meeting is happening when you bring your friend around, socialize at a low volume; if a member needs equipment you are playing with or space you are occupying for research purposes, remember that the work comes first. In the event that your guest makes members uncomfortable or behaves in a manner that violates the code of conduct, they may be asked to leave and you may be asked not to bring them to the space anymore.

Members instructing courses may also wish to use the lab for office hours. In such an event, you are encouraged to consult the calendar to make sure that your student meetings are not disruptive.

Transparency and Decision-Making

We try our best to run TAG in an open and transparent manner, whether it’s making sure everyone can see the yearly budget or can participate in major decisions (such as this very document). Nonetheless, there will inevitably be times when you have uncertainties or questions regarding how the lab is run that you cannot easily find an answer for in the various resources provided to members and guests. In such cases, the right thing to do is ask! The lab coordinator, the student representatives and the directors are here to answer these questions and, as necessary, make the information required clearer and more readily accessible.

Safety

Some of the equipment in the lab is delicate (like the sewing machine, the 3D printer, or the button maker), and some of the equipment in the lab can hurt you if not used safely (like the soldering iron, or a box cutter). If you do not know how to use a piece of equipment, please inform yourself and then get training as necessary (ask the lab coordinator or consult our skills rolodex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolodex) located on our wiki page for help connecting to people in the know). In general, please be careful with potentially dangerous resources. Do not use solvents in the space without properly ventilating or using filtration equipment. Make sure that powered equipment is never left unattended. Clean up dangerous items like blades. In the event of an emergency, please immediately call security (514-848-3717). There is a small fire extinguisher and a first aid kit in the Maker Space and a larger one next to the doors to the lab, directly beneath the exit button.

Inclusivity and Safer Spaces

There are many ways in addition to the behaviours listed above that we can make the lab more welcoming and inclusive. Having already laid out why this is something that we value, here are some concrete, actionable things that you can do to help:

Try to take people aside to talk to them rather than publicly shaming (though it is okay to quickly and respectfully suggest a different word or correct a person’s pronouns).
Avoid making assumptions about other people’s identities. If you have a question about identity, try to avoid singling one person out (e.g. having everyone share their pronouns when introducing themselves if they are comfortable doing so).
Avoid gatekeeping and shaming people for not having certain kinds of knowledge or experiences, and similarly, avoid assuming another individual’s level of expertise on a topic, whether that relates to foundational texts in a discipline or a popular game.
Try to make space for others to speak, and if you accidentally interrupt someone, apologize and ask them to continue what they were saying.
Address everyone using the names and pronouns they have requested.
Try to make your language inclusive: are you using words that may stigmatize people with mental health issues, or that exclude some of your peers? If so, think of a synonym that more accurately says what you mean, do some research, or ask someone about the appropriate terminology.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?

This part of the code of conduct seeks to inform TAG members and visitors about what avenues and options are available when things go wrong — when our ideals about the space do not match our lived reality.

You should know that while this document lays out options for how to proceed, it is up to you which resolution methods you choose, whether informal or formal. You do not have to use informal resolution processes if these do not suit your situation. You are entitled to decide what option you think is appropriate for your situation. Even if you do choose an informal resolution method to start, you may decide to move to a different method if that option is not resolving the situation, or if you are uncomfortable with the way the situation is evolving.

Informal Resolution Methods

Where possible, TAG would like to create opportunities for people to learn from their mistakes and past behaviour and reintegrate into our community. Sometimes, however, removing a member from the space is the best or only option for those who are negatively impacted by a conflict or negative situation. At times, redress through official processes may also be the ultimate outcome of a conflict.

In the event that a member goes to the TAG administration, that member should know that the directorship is committed to protecting its student members and owes both proactive involvement and transparency. The student rep or director should ask you what you need, how you would like to proceed, how they can help, and make suggestions if that is what is helpful. It is not up to you to have to fix the problem on your own, but nor is it the TAG administration’s place to take control of the situation away from you.

Additionally, the student rep or director must respect your privacy and not betray your confidence. In the event that a member brings an issue to a student rep or director and walks away from the discussion without feeling that the administrator or student rep has given them the attention and care they deserve, the member should feel free to point to this document in addressing the situation with the administrator or seeking recourse through a formal process.

Here are some options (and remember, you can choose what feels appropriate for your situation):

Go to the person with whom you are in conflict.

If you feel comfortable and able to, try to sit down together (sitting down is often perceived as less confrontational) and talk out what happened and how to move forward. Ask yourself if you feel safe, comfortable and respected before deciding whether you feel you can trust the other party to help amicably resolve the situation.

Talk to a friend or colleague that you trust about the issue.

Gossiping and faction-forming is never the solution, but having someone to listen can often help, and a third party may make a valuable sounding board by providing good feedback. They may also be able to support you in seeking out help from other parties.

Go to a TAG student representative.

The student reps are your advocates within TAG, and while they may have a personal stake in the issue (i.e. relationships to you and other members), they are responsible for taking your concerns seriously and offering assistance where they can. If you feel comfortable, talking to one of your student reps is an excellent way to make sure that the issue can be raised further without compromising your anonymity.

Go to the coordinator or director.

The directorship at TAG should act upon student concerns in the same ways that the student reps are expected to. In the event that you feel the director has not lived up to their obligation to help you resolve your situation, this document exists to say that you should call them out on this without fear of reprisal. Essentially, if we mess up, we should be held to account.

Formal Processes

TAG cannot adjudicate conflicts in an official capacity, but there are many avenues of recourse available to members at other levels of authority. Official University policies are written to the standard of law, so please refer to them where possible, but also keep in mind that you may want to retain private counsel as you may need to engage with legal processes.

Official University Channels and Policies

Office of Rights and Responsibilities (advises and assists with problems and conflicts relating to others’ behaviour on campus)
www.concordia.ca/students/rights.html

Ombuds office
www.concordia.ca/offices/ombuds.html

Code of Rights and Responsibilities:
http://bit.ly/concordia-code-of-rights-and-responsibilities

Policy Regarding Sexual Violence:
https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/common/docs/policies/official-policies/PRVPA-3.pdf

Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Psychological Harassment:
http://bit.ly/concordia-policy-on-harassment

Academic Integrity and Academic Code of Conduct:
http://bit.ly/concordia-academic-integrity-policy

OTHER RESOURCES

Safety and Security

Campus Security (Exists to ensure your safety on campus.)
www.concordia.ca/campus-life/security.html

3717 on Internal Phones

514-848-3717 on all other phones

Sexual assault resource center
www.concordia.ca/students/sexual-assault.html

Health

Health services
www.concordia.ca/students/health.html

Counselling and Psychological Services:

http://concordia.ca/students/counselling-life-skills

Suicide Action Montreal
+1 866-277-3553

Financial Aid

Financial Aid and Awards
http://concordia.ca/offices/faao

HOJO (Off Campus Housing and Job Bank)

http://classifieds.csu.qc.ca/

Indigenous Resources

Indigenous Directions

http://concordia.ca/about/indigenous.html

Aboriginal students resource center
www.concordia.ca/students/aboriginal.html

Student-specific resources

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) (can provide receptive listening to students)
www.gsaconcordia.ca

GSA Advocacy Center (legal advice)
www.gsaconcordia.ca/services/advocacy-centre/

CSU Advocacy Centre
https://www.csu.qc.ca/services/advocacy/

Your Labour Union (TRAC will help with anything contract related)
www.concordia.ca/students/gradproskills/workshops/partners/qtra.html

Dean of students office
www.concordia.ca/offices/dean-students.html

Student parent center
www.concordia.ca/students/parenthood.html

Student success center
www.concordia.ca/students/success.html

Access Centre for Students with Disabilities:
http://concordia.ca/offices/acsd

International Students Office:
http://concordia.ca/students/international

Multifaith and spirituality center
www.concordia.ca/students/spirituality.html

Montreal Alternatives to Calling 911

MENTAL HEALTH

Suicide 24h (FR/EN): 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553)
Mental Health Resources & Support (FR/EN): 1-866-738-4873
Quebec Crisis Line 24h (FR/EN): 418-688-4240
Bullying Hotline Canada (EN): 1-877-352-4497
Eating Disorders (FR/EN): 1 800 630-0907
Text Crisis Line 24h (EN): Text ‘HOME’ to 741741

VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence 24h (FR/EN): 1-800-363-9010
Rape Crisis Line 24h (FR/EN): 1-888-933-9007
Senior Abuse (EN/FR): 1-888-489-2287

SUBSTANCE USE

Drug Help and Referral 24h (FR/EN): 1-800-265-2626
Alcohol Helpline 24h (EN): 1-800-565-8603

HOUSING

Mission Shelter 24h (FR/EN): 514-798-2244 (men), 514-526-6446 (women)

2SLGBTQIA+

Trans Lifeline 24h (FR/EN): 1-855-909-9038
Interligne LGBTQ+ Line 24h (FR/EN): 1-888-505-1010
LGBT Youth Line (EN): 1-800-268-9688 or text: 647-694-4275

OTHER ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES

Poison & Overdose Control 24h (FR/EN): 1-800-463-5060
Info-santé (confidential health info and advice) 24h (FR/EN): 811 -deaf & hard of hearing: 711
Kids Help Phone 24h (FR/EN): 1-800-668-6868
Parents Helpline 24h (FR/EN): 1-800-361-5085
Tel-Aide Active Listening 24h (FR/EN): 514-935-1101
Emotional Assistance Related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 24h (FR/EN): 1-844-413-6649
Hope for Wellness Indigenous Helpline 24h (Cree/Anishinaabemowin/Inuktitut): 1-855-242-3310
Support for Immigrant Populations 24h (many languages): 514-737-3604

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