Safe Environment Plan for the 54th Annual American Society for Neurochemistry Meeting Statement of Commitment to Provide a Safe Environment |
The 54th Annual American Society for Neurochemistry Meeting (ASN 2024) is supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award No. 1R13NS137711. ASN is committed to a working and learning environment that is free from harassment and discrimination and is committed to fostering a safe and just environment for its attendees. ASN does not tolerate discrimination in any form. ASN is committed to advancing our core values of diversity, equity, & fostering excellence in everything we do. Harassment, discrimination, retaliation and sexual misconduct are destructive and contradict our core values. Participants in ASN activities (including this event) must comply with this commitment. Please review the following information on expectations and unwelcome behaviors, as well as how to report any violations, how to make a complaint, and how any complaints will be resolved. |
1. Expectations of Behavior at ASN 2024 |
The American Society for Neurochemistry (ASN) is committed to a working and learning environment that is free from harassment and discrimination and is committed to fostering a safe and just environment for its attendees. ASN does not tolerate discrimination in any form. Some examples of harassing behaviors may be, but not limited to, (1) unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; (2) unwelcome comments or behavior, including but not limited to drawings, written statements, social media posts, or verbal statements, related to an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected class; (3) unwelcome teasing, joking, or flirting based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity/orientation; and (4) retaliation. |
2. How to Confidentially Report Behavior Concerns to Conference Organizers |
For any alleged violations of the expectations of behavior, you are encouraged to confidentially report any concerns to conference organizers. The list includes:
ASN will respond promptly, including by offering supportive measures, informing parties about the available complaint and investigation processes, and taking reasonable care to prevent and promptly correct discrimination or harassment. Any person may report discrimination, harassment or retaliation in person or by electronic mail using the links and contact information listed above. |
3. Assessment of Allegations and Consequences |
Allegations will be assessed in three parallel ways. These include confidential evaluation (1) by the ASN Officers, ASN Council and the ASN Diversity and Inclusion Committee, (2) communicating of allegations to the home institutions of all parties (Title IX Office, Office of Accountability and Compliance, or any other name), and (3) reporting confidentially to the NIH that there was an allegation made that emanated from the ASN 2024 meeting. The consequence for those that who are found to violate the expectations of behavior will be disbarment from any future ASN activities and potentially further penalties from the home institution and NIH. |
4. File a Complaint with HHS OCR for Harassment and/or Discrimination of any kind |
Any individual who may have questions, concerns or complaints related to harassment are also encouraged to contact the conference organizer or the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Furthermore, if you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion and/or you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your disability at an ASN meeting or activity, you can relay your concern to the ASN Conference Organizers and file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at the address below or the following website: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html. Please note that filing a complaint with the conference organizer is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and that seeking assistance from the conference organizer in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR. Individuals may also notify NIH at https://public.era.nih.gov/shape/public/notificationForm.era, 301-480-6701, or the address below about concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201 1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD) https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/index.html |