Code of Conduct for Computer Science Division

Community

Western Oregon University Computer Science is committed to community, collaboration, and diversity. This Code of Conduct applies equally to faculty, staff, and students.

We want to provide a space where it is safe to learn for novices as well as those who come to us with experience. We encourage exploration of new ideas for all who study here. 

We gain strength from diversity, and actively seek participation from those who enhance it. This code of conduct exists to ensure that diverse groups collaborate to mutual advantage and enjoyment. We will challenge prejudice that could jeopardize the participation of any person in the division.

The Code of Conduct governs how we behave in public or in private whenever the division will be judged by our actions. We expect it to be honored by everyone who represents the division officially or informally.

We strive to:

• Be considerate

  Everyone in our division is aiming for a common goal, the successful completion of a course, set of courses, a minor, or a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a Master’s degree in Management and Information Systems for our students. Toward that goal we are considerate of the needs of others keeping study places reasonably quiet and keeping discussions focused on subjects that do not offend others.

• Be respectful

  It is vital to the health and wellbeing of all who study here that we treat others with the utmost respect. We work together to assume good intentions and do our best to act in an empathetic fashion. The following behaviors will not be tolerated:

• • Arrogance, bragging, or talking down to others.
  • Unwanted or uninvited physical contact.
  • Emotional harassment including, but not limited to, stalking, bullying, and other forms of psychological torment.

• Be collaborative

  We celebrate good collaboration. What we produce is a complex whole made of many parts, it is the sum of many dreams. Collaboration between students is required in some courses and encouraged at all times. We encourage upperclasspersons to help newer students find a successful path in our major, supporting their learning.

Leadership, authority and responsibility

We all lead by example and we consider this in our actions. We encourage new participants to feel empowered to lead and to take action. We encourage all students to be a part of Byte Club as a way to have a voice in student activities and governance. 

As faculty we take our role as educator seriously. We strive to provide curriculum that is relevant to current industry standards. We work hard to be prepared for each class and to provide environments that support and encourage our students’ success.

Teamwork

As a division we are committed to teamwork. We commit to each other to carry our share of the work in all areas, whether it be a student project or faculty workload. There will be times that teams will be led by someone charged with the outcome. A leader’s foremost goal is the success of the team, whether that be at the faculty level or student lead groups.

Credit

We will always strive to give credit where credit is due. No one will knowingly take credit for the ideas of others. We will commit ourselves to hear diverse populations, who are often silenced or go unheard, and give them a voice in the conversation. 

Resolving Problems

All communities have points of conflict. It is how we handle conflict that defines us. We encourage all students to make use of the following steps to resolve conflict.

Conflict with Faculty

Please use this link to file a report: https://wou.edu/provost/student-grievances/academic-complaints/

• Step 1: Instructor – If you haven’t already, we strongly encourage you to talk to your instructor about your concern. However, we understand that this isn’t always possible or appropriate, so it is not required.If this is not possible, continue to step 2.
• Step 2: Division Chair – Notify the division chair of your concern, then meet with them to discuss a resolution.
• Step 3: Dean of LAS – Notify the dean of your concern, then meet with them to discuss a resolution.
• Step 4: Provost – Notify the provost of your concern, then meet with them and the college dean to discuss a resolution. 
• Step 5: HECC – Appeal to HECC (only in cases with a violation of law)

Conflict with another Student

Conflict between students is handled by the Office of Student Conduct. As a resource, please see the Code of Student Responsibility for details regarding Standards and Policies or contact the Dean of Students.

Informal Resolution – If possible, conflicts will be resolved within the Computer Science Division after a verbal report by a community member. Problems should be reported to a faculty member who, along with the reporter, will determine if an informal resolution process is possible. For example, in some cases a faculty member or administrator could coordinate a three-way meeting to talk through concerns and seek resolution.

Formal Resolution – For students, the process outlined in the Code of Student Responsibility will be followed. For employees, the processes outlined by WOU HR will be followed.

This Code is not exhaustive or complete. It is not a rulebook; it serves to distil our common understanding of a collaborative, shared environment and goals. We expect it to be followed in spirit as much as in the letter.

This Code is derived from the Ubuntu Code of Conduct and is adapted under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. You may re-use it for your own project, and modify it as you wish, just please allow others to use your modifications and give credit to the Ubuntu Project!

Revised September 24, 2020