HEUG Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct has two parts. Part I is HEUG's Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment Policy, which applies to HEUG Representatives (our board, volunteers, and staff). Part II is the HEUG Community Code of Conduct, which sets expectations for all members and users participating in HEUG's online community, forums, and events. Both parts work together, alongside our Terms of Service, to keep HEUG a respectful, professional, and welcoming place for everyone in the higher education community.
Part I — Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment Policy
It is HEUG's policy and culture to promote an environment free from all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment. This policy covers all HEUG volunteers and the third parties with whom we work, including board members, institutional, system, and subscriber members, sponsors, and outsourced administrative and event support staff (collectively, “HEUG Representatives”). See also our Corporate Member Code of Conduct at heug.org/footer/code-of-conduct/corporate-code-conduct.
To reinforce this commitment, HEUG maintains: a respectful and inclusive environment; policies against harassment and discrimination; and a clear reporting procedure for anyone who has experienced or witnessed harassment.
This policy applies to all HEUG-related settings and activities, whether in person or online, including business trips, conferences, and HEUG-related social events. HEUG property (such as email and HEUG-managed applications) may not be used to engage in conduct that violates this policy. This policy also covers harassing electronic communications and online activity directed at a HEUG Representative because of their membership in a protected group — regardless of whether the conduct occurs on HEUG time or HEUG-approved devices (for example, derogatory posts about a Representative on social media, or harassing messages sent through the HEUG community platform).
Any individual who does business with HEUG Representatives, or who is otherwise associated with HEUG, and who believes they have experienced or witnessed harassment in connection with those dealings, is encouraged to make a report under this policy. Retaliation against anyone who reports harassment in good faith, or who cooperates with an investigation, is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Prohibition of Sexual Harassment
HEUG prohibits sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a condition of recognition, advancement, or any decision affecting a HEUG Representative; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's participation by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or offensive environment.
While it's not possible to list every circumstance that could constitute sexual harassment, examples include:
- Conditioning any term of engagement with HEUG on the provision of sexual favors
- Unwelcome sexual advances, whether or not they involve physical contact
- Touching another person's body after being told, or knowing, that such contact is unwelcome
- Sexual jokes, comments, or gossip about a person's body, sex life, or sexual activity
- Displaying sexually suggestive images or objects
- Sending sexually inappropriate or suggestive photos, messages, or voicemails
- Unwelcome leering, gestures, or suggestive or insulting comments
- Derogatory remarks relating to a person's gender, sexual activity, or sexual orientation
- Coerced sexual acts
Such behavior may violate this policy — and may result in disciplinary action — regardless of whether it rises to the level of unlawful harassment.
Prohibition of Other Discriminatory Harassment
HEUG Representatives are protected from harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), political or union affiliation, domestic violence victim status, citizenship, military service, and any other status protected by law. Prohibited conduct includes epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, derogatory comments, demeaning gestures or jokes, and threatening or hostile acts connected to a person's membership in a protected group — for example, demeaning someone's religion or beliefs, mocking a person's accent, or using offensive slang referring to race, color, or ethnicity.
Such behavior may make Representatives feel marginalized and uncomfortable even where it does not rise to the level of unlawful harassment. HEUG considers this behavior inappropriate and a violation of this policy, and it may result in disciplinary action regardless of legality.
How to Report
If you believe you have experienced or witnessed discrimination or harassment by a HEUG Representative or business associate, please report it as soon as possible to support@heug.org.
Reports may be made verbally, but we strongly encourage submitting reports in writing to help the investigation process. Please don't be a passive bystander — if you see behavior that may violate this policy, bring it to HEUG's attention. All HEUG Representatives share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting discrimination or harassment.
Investigation and Enforcement
HEUG will promptly, thoroughly, and impartially investigate all reports, which may include interviews with the reporting individual, witnesses, and the person or persons accused. Investigations are conducted with as much confidentiality as practicable given the need for a thorough inquiry.
If the investigation confirms a violation, HEUG will act promptly to address the conduct, up to and including disciplinary action ranging from counseling to termination of a Representative's position or membership with HEUG. This policy does not limit HEUG's authority to address conduct it deems unacceptable, whether or not that conduct meets the legal definition of harassment or discrimination.
Anti-Retaliation
HEUG prohibits retaliation, including any form of reprisal or intimidation, against anyone who reports discrimination or harassment in good faith or who cooperates in a related investigation. Any violation of this anti-retaliation policy will result in disciplinary action, which may include termination of position or membership with HEUG.
Part II — HEUG Community Code of Conduct
Purpose and Scope
This Code of Conduct applies to all HEUG members, volunteers, sponsors, and guests participating in the HEUG online community and forums, HEUG-hosted virtual events, and in-person HEUG events, including the Alliance conference (collectively, “HEUG Spaces”). It supplements — and does not replace — the Member Conduct obligations in our Terms of Service and the Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment Policy in Part I.
Our Expectations
HEUG exists to help member institutions learn from and support one another. We ask everyone in HEUG Spaces to:
- Treat other members, volunteers, staff, and sponsors with respect and professional courtesy
- Engage constructively — critique ideas, not people
- Represent your identity, credentials, and institutional affiliation honestly
- Give credit where it's due, and respect others' intellectual property and confidential information
- Help keep discussions relevant, on-topic, and genuinely useful to fellow members
- Respect differing viewpoints, professional backgrounds, and experience levels
Unacceptable Behavior
The following are not permitted in HEUG Spaces:
- Harassment, discrimination, or hateful conduct of any kind (see Part I for detail)
- Threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise unlawful content
- Impersonating another person or organization, or misrepresenting your affiliation
- Unsolicited advertising, spam, or self-promotion outside of approved sponsor channels
- Sharing another member's contact information, forum posts, or confidential materials without permission
- Uploading malicious software or attempting to disrupt, scrape, or compromise HEUG Spaces or other users' accounts
- Infringing another party's copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights
- Disruptive conduct at events, including behavior that interferes with sessions, exhibits, or other attendees' participation
- Any conduct prohibited by our Terms of Service or Part I of this Code
Content You Post
You are responsible for anything you post in forums, the file library, blogs, polls, and similar community features. Please avoid sharing sensitive or private information — yours or anyone else's — in these spaces, and remember that content posted there may be visible to other members, as described in our Privacy Policy.
Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Vendors
Sponsors and exhibitors are valued partners in the HEUG community, and we ask that all promotional activity happen through approved channels — sponsored sessions, exhibit spaces, and opt-in communications — rather than direct solicitation of members through forums, direct messages, or event conversations without invitation.
Reporting a Concern
If you experience or witness behavior in a HEUG Space that concerns you, please let us know:
Email: conduct@heug.org
We will handle reports with as much discretion as possible while conducting a fair review. Reports involving harassment or discrimination will be handled under the reporting and investigation process described in Part I.
Consequences
Violations of this Code may result in a range of responses depending on severity and context, including:
- A private warning or reminder of community expectations
- Removal of the offending content
- Temporary suspension of community or event access
- Removal from an event without refund
- Termination of membership or access to HEUG Spaces, at HEUG's discretion
HEUG reserves the right to take the action it deems appropriate to protect the safety and integrity of the community, consistent with our Terms of Service.