Conference Safety Plan

Commitment to Provide a Safe Environment

The organizers of the 23rd Colorado Immunology and Microbiology are committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, pregnancy, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. To this end, we aim to maintain a safe and respectful environment that is free from harassment and discrimination for all attendees of the meeting as well as support staff, in accordance with federal, state and local laws. 

The purpose of this safety plan is to describe the expectations for the professional conduct of all meeting attendees, including organizers, session chairs, invited speakers, presenters, attendees and sponsors. By registering for and attending the meeting, participants agree to abide by the following expectations of behavior.

Expectations of Behavior

By registering for the conference, attendees agree to treat fellow participants with respect, civility and fairness, without bias based on race, color, national origin, pregnancy, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, and political affiliation, and political philosophy. Harassment or discrimination against other attendees are prohibited. Examples of harassment include:

Discriminatory Harassment, including:

• Racial or ethnic slurs, insults, or jokes
• Degrading comments
• Intolerance

Physical Harassment, including:

• Direct threats
• Physical attacks
• Threatening behavior

Sexual Harassment, including:

• Inappropriate sexual comments, jokes, and questions
• Unwanted and inappropriate sexual touching or gestures
• Pressure for dates or sexual favors

Reporting Alleged Violations

Conference participants should contact the Conference Safety Plan Coordinator, Brooke Lydick (adrianne.lydick@cuanschutz.edu) for assistance or to address any concerns. The Safety Plan Coordinator, along with the conference organizers, as appropriate, will take action as needed to resolve the concerns, up to and including immediate expulsion of the offending participant(s) from the conference. The organizers will maintain confidentiality of a reporter of possible violations of this policy, except where doing so would compromise another person’s rights. In such cases, the organizers will limit disclosure only to that information necessary to ensure proper investigation and compliance with procedures.

Communicating the Safety Plan to Conference Participants

The Safety Plan will be communicated during Registration at the conference, and at the Welcome Reception. A copy will be provided with the conference materials, which includes the contact information for the Safety Plan Coordinator and Conference Organizers.   

Ensuring a Safe and Respectful Environment for All Attendees

The University of Colorado, the host institution for the conference, is committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all conference participants. The Conference Safety Plan Coordinator will be present throughout the conference and will be responsible for providing assistance to conference attendees, addressing concerns related to this safety plan, and ensuring attendees adhere to policy.

Funding for this conference was made possible [in part] by 1R13AI179153-01 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.