MPA Code of Conduct

MPA CODE OF CONDUCT

The Midwestern Psychological Association aims to provide a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or nationality.

This code of conduct outlines MPA’s expectations for all convention attendees and participants, including all members, speakers, vendors, media representatives, commentators, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Cooperation is expected from everyone and organizers will actively enforce this code throughout this event. Violations are taken seriously.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior for convention participants includes communicating professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually; handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity and an open mind; being respectful when providing feedback; and being open to alternate points of view. Likewise, when sharing information about the organization or any attendees or participants via public communication channels, MPA expects participants to share information responsibly and clearly distinguish individual opinion from fact.

Unacceptable Behavior

MPA does not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Aggressive or hostile verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, nationality
• Sexual images in public spaces
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Harassing photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behavior
• Harassing MPA staff while they are performing the duties of organizing the conference

If a MPA attendee or participant, in either real or virtual space, engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or destructive behavior or language, a member of MPA’s Council or a representative appointed by the Council will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, including warning the offender, expulsion from the convention with no refund and/or banning the offender from future MPA events and activities.

Resources

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about an individual’s conduct, please contact the Executive Officer, Michael J. Bernstein, mjb70@psu.edu.

For issues when we are in person at the Palmer House, you may also seek assistance from any of the following:

Palmer House Security: (312) 726-7599

Local law enforcement: Chicago city police, 311 or (312) 732-1440 (Non-emergency numbers, dial 911 in an emergency)