The Science Circle is a multinational alliance of scientists, educators, students and science enthusiasts collaborating to share knowledge and promote open source education around the world. We value dialogue within a community that promotes inclusion, diversity, and respect. We support our program in Second Life through generous donations from members and various grants.
It is important to our grantees, participants, and our donors that behaviour and dress that some might find offensive is not permitted on the region.
G rating standards are enforced; no nudity, offensive language, spreading of false information, soliciting of sex, begging, spamming, vampire activity (like biting), and use of weapons. Continued disruptive comments or actions during a presentation or other group activities on the region is also not tolerated. You will be asked to stop the inappropriate behaviour and if you fail to do so in a timely fashion, you will be removed from the region.
Science Circle is committed to providing environments that are free from harassment, griefing, trolling, stalking, and any and all comparable behaviour. None of these egregious behaviours will be tolerated in The Science Circle. Harassment of any kind, whether
based upon an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. All members, including management personnel, will abide by this policy. No person who brings a complaint of unlawful harassment will be adversely affected regarding membership in Science Circle as a result.
To be clear, sexual harassment is behaviour of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons being targeted. Examples of harassing behaviour may include unwanted physical or virtual contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures.
Science Circle holds the majority of its meetings in virtual environments and mostly in Second Life. In Second Life members are represented by animated 3d models of human, and potentially other forms, called avatars. Members are actual, physical people who control their avatar representatives via their computers. Science Circle code of conduct considers the actions of members’ avatars to be those of the member him- or herself. Science Circle specifically prohibits the solicitation of the use of a ‘Restrained Love Viewer’ to another member in any manner whatsoever.
If a member feels that he or she has been harassed, they should immediately report the matter to the Science Circle Ethics Committee. All complaints of harassment will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible. Once the matter has been reported it will be investigated by the Ethics Committee who will report to the Science Circle Board. Complaints that are verified will be followed up by disciplinary action. The Science Circle Board will determine the follow-up action which will be supervised by the Ethics Committee and can include banishment from the group.
Your cooperation in making the Science Circle region a safe, pleasant place for everyone to learn in and enjoy is greatly appreciated.
Monday, February 8, 2021
Prepared by the Ethics Committee, directed by Deepthinker Oh.