Dean of the Faculty

Safe and Inclusive Working Environment Plan

NSF’s new PAPPG (Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide), effective for proposals with off-campus or off-site work due on or after January 30, 2023, requires proposers to certify that they have a plan in place for creating and maintaining a Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research for that project.

NSF recognizes that a community effort is essential to eliminate sexual and other forms of harassment in science and to build inclusive scientific climates where people can learn, grow, and thrive. Colorado College’s policies on Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy and Procedure and the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures support these goals.

For any offsite or field work* on a proposed NSF project, the Principal Investigator (PI)/Project team must establish a plan for that proposal that describes how the following types of behavior will be addressed:

  1. Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
  2. Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly; AND
  3. Identify steps the proposing principal investigator(s)/project team will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment.

As such, any PI applying for a grant where NSF is the Direct or Prime sponsor and off site work is anticipated must complete the questionnaire below which will constitute documentation of the required plan for a Safe and Inclusive Work environment.

This plan must be documented prior to submission.

  • If submitting to an NSF pilot program, the plan must be two pages and submitted with the proposal.
  • If submitting to any other program, the plan (of any length) must be created prior to the proposal. The AOR will certify that the plan was documented during submission.
  • If part of a collaborative proposal, one plan for the entire project is to be prepared/submitted by the lead institution.
  • If changes are made to this plan after submission, an updated version must be provided to the Director of Faculty Research Support.

Submission logistics:

  • If submitting to an NSF pilot program, the plan must be no more than two pages and submitted as a supplementary document with the proposal.
  • If part of a collaborative proposal, one plan for the entire project is to be prepared/submitted by the lead institution.

The PI is responsible for ensuring that any individuals working on this project in an off site or off campus location receive a copy of this plan prior to commencement of their work at any off site or off campus location.

*For purposes of this requirement, NSF has defined off-campus or off-site research as data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft.

The following are identified resources to assist you in thinking through and developing your safety plan.

The ADVANCEGeo Partnership

This is a partnership of the Earth Science Women's Network, Association for Women Geoscientists and the American Geophysical Union – funded by an NSF ADVANCE grant addresses “the problem of sexual and other types of harassment and other exclusionary behaviors, such as bullying, discrimination and identity-based aggressions, that lead to hostile working and learning environments in the earth, space and environmental sciences.” Though their project is specific to the geo-fields, their resources are widely applicable and can serve as a reference point in developing your safety plan:

University of California Field Operations Manual

While the following manual was developed for the UC-system schools (and references/links to their specific policies), some of the content may be applicable such as topics on planning, training, incident response, best practices for trip leaders, and appendices on common field hazards.

ADEI Considerations

If you have recommendations for resources to add here, please email Tess Powers, Director of Faculty Research Support.

 

Applicable Colorado College Policies and Resources

Colorado College is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression or perceived gender, pregnancy, or any other status protected under local, state or federal law; and sexual misconduct, including but not limited to, sexual violence, such as partner, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking. The College prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination and harassment against students, faculty, staff, applicants for admission or employment, and visitors in its education programs and activities, employment practices or public accommodations. To further this commitment, the College prohibits retaliation against anyone participating in an investigation of alleged violations of this Policy or in any related proceeding, including a criminal proceeding or a proceeding with a government agency.

The College has general policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment; and addressing travel and conduct in an off-site location. Faculty, staff and students must comply with Colorado College’s policies while engaged with research off-site, including but not limited to the following policies:

Student Policies

  • Non-discrimination and Anti-harassment
  • Community Standards, including but not limited to: Abusive Behavior; Collusion; Community Health Concerns; Discrimination; Disruption of College Activities and Events; Drugs/Cannabis/Paraphernalia; Fire Safety; Harassment, including Sexual Harassment and Biased Harassment; Hazardous Materials; Hazing; and Retaliation.

Employee Handbook

Travel Policies

  • International Travel Safety Policy
  • Field Trip Guidelines

Resources

Please review these policies to ensure your plan aligns with already-established CC policies, procedures, and resources.

 

Colorado College students, faculty, and staff who have concerns of protected class discrimination or harassment, sexual misconduct, or related retaliation, are encouraged to contact the Office of Office of Civil Rights and Title IX or one of the other options listed below.

  • For additional information and reporting options specific to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and other forms of sexual violence, please see Options and Procedures

The course of action taken by the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX when notified of protected class discrimination or harassment, sexual misconduct, or related retaliation will depend on the particular facts and circumstances involved. Possible steps include:

  • Providing assistance with accessing support and safety resources;
  • Facilitating supportive or protective measures, which may include changes in work situations or academic and residential accommodations;
  • Providing information about or coordinating assistance with external reporting options;
  • Conducting a prompt, effective, and equitable investigation; and
  • Coordinating the College’s efforts to address the concerns, with the intent to end the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

At the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, you can expect to be treated with respect, dignity, and sensitivity, and know that we will make all reasonable efforts to ensure privacy and confidentiality, sharing information only with those who have a legitimate need to know.

When considering making a report, please be assured that Colorado College prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes a report or otherwise provides information about discriminatory conduct. When considering seeking support and/or making a report related to sexual misconduct, please also be assured that the university prohibits discrimination based on one’s status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

To raise a concern or make a report of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or related retaliation - whether it involves a student, faculty member, staff member, or third party, contact the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX:

Joshua Isringhausen
Assistant Director of Civil Rights and Interim Title IX Coordinator | ADA/504 Coordinator
719-389-6886 | jisringhausen@coloradocollege.edu

To make an anonymous report, use Speak Up Colorado College, a secure reporting tool, with the option to file anonymously online or by Phone: 1-800-461-9330.

For incidents involving students, you may also contact the Office of the Dean of Students:
The Office of the Dean of Students
719-389-6689 | Armstrong Room 107 | deanofstudents@coloradocollege.edu

For incidents involving a faculty or staff member, you may also contact Human Resources:
Human Resources
719-389-6421 | 14 East Cache La Poudre Street  | HR@coloradocollege.edu

For emergency and after-hours assistance, contact:
Colorado College Campus Safety
719-389-6911 (emergency) or 719-389-6707 (non-emergency) 

Please email Tess Powers, Director of Faculty Research Support, for a Word version of the current template language.

Note: For some pilot programs (NSF's BIO and GEO directorates), this plan must be two pages and is submitted as a supplemental document. For other programs, this plan must be developed prior to submission, but is not submitted. For collaborative proposals, one plan is developed for the entire project and is uploaded by the lead institution.

 

Safe and Inclusive Working Environment Plan

The following plan is developed for this specific project, as proposed to the NSF.

Project Title: _____________________________________________

Principal Investigator: ______________________________________

Date proposal submission (anticipated or actual): ___________________

 

 

1)      Project Context and Unique Challenges

Please provide a brief description of the field setting and unique challenges for the team.

 

2)      Code of Conduct – Addressing abuse of any kind

Please describe how the following behaviors will be addressed for personnel working off-site for any portion of the performance of this project: Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically or in written form.

 

3)      Code of Conduct – Addressing conduct that is unwelcome, offensive

Please describe how the following behaviors will be addressed for personnel working off-site for any portion of the performance of this project: Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene or disorderly.

 

4)      Nurturing an Inclusive Off-Campus Working Environment

Please identify steps the principal investigators/project team will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus working environment. (NSF examples include: trainings, processes to establish shared definitions of roles an responsibilities, culture, field support, mentor/mentee support mechanisms, regular check-ins, developmental events.

 

5)      Access to This Plan and Additional Resources

Please describe how you will ensure all affected employees have access to this plan an any related resources name herein prior to commencement of off-campus work.

 

6)      Communication Plan

How will communications within the team and to the colleges or the institutions be handled, minimizing singular points with the communications pathways? (eg a single person overseeing access to a single satellite phone)

 

7)      Special Circumstances

How will any special circumstances such as the involvement of multiple organizations or the presence of third parties in the working environment be taken into account in supporting a safe and inclusive work environment off campus for this project.

 

8)      Process for Making Reports

Please describe the process or method for making incident reports as well as how any reports received will be resolved. (NOTE: See the “Information on Raising a Concern,” above, which details information on the Office of Civil Rights, and our anonymous reporting mechanisms.)

 

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Report an issue - Last updated: 04/25/2023