Fieldwork experiences are meant to be fun, engaging, positive learning experiences. By their very nature they involve working together as a team with many different people and stakeholders. For those reasons they also can be challenging in ways most do not expect, yet equally rewarding when those challenges are overcome. Our priority is to maintain a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for faculty, staff, students, trainees, partners, stakeholders, and the public. This is why we have a zero- tolerance policy for disrespectful, aggressive, threatening, malicious, discriminatory, or harassing behavior on site, after hours, and online. The following code of conduct guides our fieldwork, and by participating in this program you agree to adhere to these expectations:
- Reporting. Students may report any inappropriate conduct to any of the project mentors, directly to the Equal Opportunity, Equity & Affirmative Action/Title IX office (afaction@uwosh.edu), or to the UWO Dean of Students office, depending on what is most comfortable for the student or suitable for the situation.
- We are committed to working as a team. Supporting the project, being a team player, providing constructive critique to project members, and respecting the interests of the team as a successful working group (without compromising safety or security) are paramount.
- We are committed to prioritizing and championing the people and communities that host us. Our work is driven by local needs and decision-making is grounded in dialogue with our Slovene collaborators based on robust data gathered in local contexts. We are critically aware of the existing evidence. We attend events and participate in activities that are organized in our host communities. We respect, care for, and create long-lasting friendships with our hosts. We aim to abide by local expectations and customs and are committed to starting to learn the local language. We maintain links with our hosts after the project ends and we support their future professional endeavors.
- We have the right to a safe, secure, and non-threatening working and living environment. We do not tolerate any form of discriminatory, abusive, aggressive, harassing, threatening, sexually or physically intimidating, or related problematic behaviors that compromise the wellbeing, equality, security, or dignity of other human beings. Dr. Frie and Dr. Garstki are trained in supporting those who have experienced or are experiencing harassment. They are obliged to investigate and respond to observed, implied, or directly reported harassment. UW Oshkosh is committed to providing the safest experience possible for students, faculty and staff. Students experiencing any form of discrimination or harassment can report it by contacting the Equal Opportunity, Equity & Affirmative Action/Title IX office (afaction@uwosh.edu), or the UWO Dean of Students office. If you choose to contact one of these offices, your information will be private but may not remain confidential. You may also call the Campus Survivor Advocate (920-424-2024) for confidential help and resources. You can also find more information on policies and resources at the UWO Title IX webpage, HR Policies & Procedures page, and Equity page. Please note that Dr. Frie and Dr. Garstki are responsible employees for UW Oshkosh and therefore have an obligation to report incidents of sexual violence and misconduct that are brought to their attention to the Title IX Coordinator. For more information about their reporting requirements visit the UWO Title IX Employee Responsibilities page. Under Executive Order 54, they are mandatory reporters and also have an obligation to report child abuse/neglect.
- Considering this zero-tolerance policy, you agree to the following:
- I will not engage in behavior that compromises the well-being, equality, security, or dignity of other human beings. I recognize that if I am implicated in such behavior, I will be required to leave the project at my own expense and may be subject to criminal investigation.
- If I feel unsafe or uncomfortable, I will report it immediately. The project directors will support me and will implement actions to keep me safe while working to stop the behavior. If I feel I cannot report it to one of the directors, then I will contact the appropriate office at UWO.
- If I witness others being subjected to such behavior, I will report it immediately. If I feel I cannot report it to one of the directors, then I will contact the appropriate office at UWO.
- My commitment to creating and maintaining safety and security for all extends to my online (web and social media) and cell phone interactions, and I recognize that the process for reporting and acting on threatening online/cell phone behaviors is the same as above.
- We are representatives of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and of the institutions with which our project directors are affiliated. We recognize our responsibility to be professional in the communities where we work and reside, as well as at the institutions the project is affiliated with. Our behaviors reflect on these institutions, and we acknowledge that our supervisors are bound by ethical and professional codes (e.g., University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, National Museum of Slovenia, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Park of Military History, European Association of Archaeologists, Archaeological Institute of America, American Anthropological Association).
- Considering these obligations, you agree to the following:
- I will disclose to one of the director sany potential concerns, which may include matters relating to health, psychological or physical wellbeing, security, equality, confidence, interpersonal relations, previous travel or fieldwork experiences, etc., so that a director is aware of them and can mitigate them prior to departing for the program and during the program. If I have not yet discussed these matters, I agree to do so as soon as possible.
- I will come to one of the directors, Title IX office, or to the UWO Dean of Students office when I experience problems, challenges, or trouble of any kind on the project. I will keep at least one of them informed of any issues I feel may manifest themselves in relation to myself or other project members. I have shared this information in confidence, with an expectation of privacy unless medical, safety/security, or other legal intervention is required.
- We recognize that fieldwork can be intense, emotional, and tiring. We understand that things can go wrong, that we may need to compromise, and that in exceptional circumstances we may need to shorten or modify our work on site to help manage these circumstances.
The text of this code of conduct was adapted from Dr. Sara Perry’s Code of Conduct.
