Professional and Respectful Conduct at AMS Meetings

AMS is committed to safe and productive meetings for all attendees. Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at any meeting or event associated with the meeting. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Those who violate the standards of professional and respectful conduct may be asked to leave the meeting immediately and without refund, may not be considered for service on AMS Boards and Committees, and may be subject to additional legal action.

Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.

This statement is meant to cover all meeting-associated events, including those sponsored by organizations other than AMS but held in relation to AMS events. This includes the scientific program and exhibitions, as well as receptions, town hall meetings, and other informal or formal gatherings associated with AMS.

Any attendee who believes he or she may have witnessed or have been subjected to that violates professional and respectful behavior, should contact a senior member of the AMS staff. This may be done by talking with any AMS staff (identified with a staff badge) or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or leaving a message at 617-226-3965 with the appropriate contact information. A senior AMS staff member will be in contact in a timely manner. (In the unlikely event a reply is not received within 12 hours of sending an e-mail or leaving a voice-mail message, follow-up with an AMS staff member at the meeting is advised to ensure that the original message has been received.) Anyone witnessing or experiencing behavior that constitutes an immediate and serious threat, is advised to call 911 or the local police first.

The AMS takes any breach of professional conduct at an AMS meeting or related function very seriously. Attendees are encouraged to report any unprofessional conduct in the knowledge that AMS staff members will do their best to maintain the confidentiality of all parties to the extent possible while taking appropriate actions. In situations for which additional action is warranted, the AMS will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.