Inclusion in Physics & Astronomy

Tri-part photo showing inclusion in physics and astronomy programs

Reporting issues and concerns
Getting support
Policies

Value Statement

Physics and Astronomy are best done in an inclusive environment. The students, staff, and faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy are committed to professional interactions, with respect and consideration of the rich and diverse backgrounds of all its members. We expect each member of our Department to encourage and support a culture of equity and inclusion of all social identities in all activities in which we participate, and to uphold all Ohio University diversity policies.

Community Expectations

Ohio University Department of Physics and Astronomy Community Expectations

Members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, including students, postdoctoral/ professional researchers, faculty, staff and visitors, treat each other with respect and consideration. We value input, participation, and cooperation of all people in the department. Our priority is to create a climate that encourages growth and satisfaction of everyone associated with the departmental activities.

Our community expectations are aligned with Ohio University policies on Civil Rights Compliance, the Faculty Handbook, the Student Code of Conduct.

Examples of Expected Helpful Behaviors

Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative, and consider the impact of your words and actions on the people around you. This applies especially in meetings, including classes.
Be aware and welcoming when you find that others have different experiences and perspectives from yours.
Speak up if you witness damaging behavior and/or report it afterward. See below.
Listen carefully and respectfully if someone speaks up about your own behavior, and try not to be defensive or dismissive. Consider positive changes you can make.
Help all voices to be heard, especially new members, students, and those with less visibility, either historically or due to special circumstances.
Accept responsibility and apologize to those affected by mistakes, and learn from the experience.
Seek opportunities for education/training on reporting, and bystander intervention techniques, and encourage others to do the same.
Those working together, especially when supervisory roles exist, should communicate early about topics such as roles, travel, workload, schedule, and expectations for availability in non-standard work hours. All team members should be respectful of each others’ schedules.

Stay as positive and constructive as possible when offering comments about others’ research or work, or in discussions/arguments/debates with others.

Examples of Unacceptable or Damaging Behavior

Anything not allowed by OHIO policies and regulations. See for example such as the University Policy website .
In particular, any OHIO policy-defined sexual misconduct-related unacceptable behaviors including: the use of sexualized language or imagery; unwanted sexual attention or advances; unwelcome innuendo or physical contact; stalking; photographing or recording of an individual without consent; sex/gender discrimination or harassment.
Public or private harassment whether it be of a sexual or any other nature.
Personal or political attacks on individuals, present or not, involving comments that are insulting or disrespectful.
Unwelcome and sustained/repeated disruption of teaching, studying, colloquia or other department-related events or tasks.
Unreasonably or unjustifiably, interfering with an individual’s performance or, creating an intimidating, demeaning, or hostile environment for another individual. Examples are: interrupting the same specific individual’s comments with criticisms in several meetings; excessively and repeatedly pointing out the mistakes of only the same specific individual(s).
In intense scientific discussions, avoid disparaging comments of a personal nature or disrespectful of others participating in the argument. Criticisms of other’s research should not explicitly devalue the researcher nor imply that their research is worthless. The line between effective constructive criticism and overly negative can be a fine one, we suggest referencing this document for more details.

It is expected that all members of our community abide by these expectations. In order to encourage healthy interactions the department encourages members of the departmental community to feel comfortable reporting any incidents they feel negatively impact theirs or other students’ experiences in any department-related activities to any of the three department Allies (currently Alexander Neiman, Nancy Sandler, and Sergio Ulloa), the department Ombudsperson (currently Martin Kordesch), the department Chair (currently Eric Stinaff). There is also a university ombudsperson that can fulfill this role. Office of the Ombudsperson Website

The department maintains procedures for investigating, and maintaining records of, incidents that are reported in ways that conform to university policies and maintain confidentiality of all parties involved as much as possible and as legally required. In cases where other University reporting requirements do not supercede these department procedures (such as for Title IX or mandatory sexual harassment reporting) the department may refer some incidents to the office of the university ombudsperson.

Reporting Issues and Concerns

For issues specific to the Physic and Astronomy Department, you may want to contact one of your professors, your research advisor, the Physics and Astronomy Department chair Dr. Eric Stinaff or the Physics and Astronomy ombuds-person Dr. Kordesch .
Reporting with The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (CSSR) ("Community Standard Incident report", "Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Incident Report" and "Academic Misconduct Incident Report"): The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility aims to advance the educational mission of Ohio University and the Division of Student Affairs by providing meaningful opportunities for students to learn what it means to be a member of the Ohio University community and the Bobcat Family.
Reporting with the Office Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) ("Sexual misconduct" and "Discrimination/bias"): CRC ensures that the University maintains an employment and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. CRC monitors the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination based on protected status.
Reporting with the Title IX officer: The Title IX Coordinator can be reached by email at titleix@ohio.edu or phone at 740-593-9140.

Getting Support at Ohio University and Within our Professional Associations

At Ohio University

Academic Support
First Generation Students , Transfer Students , Veteran and Military Students , Student Accessibility Services , International Student and Scholar Services
Students challenged by basic needs : Bobcats Helping Bobcats is a way for students, staff and faculty to support students on the Athens campus who are experiencing emergencies that may impact their overall well-being and ability to be successful in college.
Confidential resources : Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Care (Student Health Center), Survivor Advocacy Program (SAP), Employee Assistance Program.

Ohio University Policies

Julie Roche in classroom with three students

Info for:

Log In

Locations

Connect