Our Guiding Standards

Overview

The Department of Geography, Meteorology, & Environmental Science (GME) comprises scholars, teachers, students, staff, and colleagues whose collective success depends on how well we work together. GME is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment rooted in academic integrity, open communication, mutual trust, and collegiality.

We will act with honesty and empathy, take personal accountability for our actions, treat others fairly and with respect, and foster an intellectually and culturally inclusive environment. GME has zero tolerance for professional exclusion, intellectual belittling, undue pressure, bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.

These standards apply not only within GME’s physical spaces but wherever we represent or display affiliation with the department, including conferences, field activities, student gatherings, professional social media, and community outreach. In all such settings, we will act professionally, avoid personally critical remarks, and clearly distinguish professional positions from personal opinions.

These standards are not negotiable and must be understood from the outset. No one’s well-being may be compromised in the name of a “teachable moment.”

Mutual Expectation

Faculty, staff, and students associated with GME are required to comply with all applicable Valparaiso University policies, as well as the following departmental standards of conduct.

The following conduct is prohibited:

• Intimidating, threatening, humiliating, or engaging in any conduct that causes another person to reasonably fear for their physical or psychological safety
• Discriminatory, offensive, or verbally abusive conduct through any medium, including electronic communication and social media
• Unfounded or malicious criticism targeting an individual rather than their work or conduct
• Deliberately excluding an individual from GME-affiliated activities, or denying access to information, resources, or opportunities necessary for their participation, performance, or professional advancement
• Recording or distributing recordings, including digitally altered content, of any individual without their explicit consent
• Exploiting actual or perceived power differentials to solicit favors, coerce compliance, or impose disadvantage, including interference with collegial standing, access to educational or professional opportunities, or conditions of employment

The following do not constitute prohibited conduct:

• Constructive feedback, legitimate academic or professional guidance, or good-faith disagreement from instructors, mentors, supervisors, or colleagues
• Reasonable direction required for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or institutional policies
• Lawful personnel or academic decisions, including selection processes for awards, appointments, or positions
• Formally addressing or documenting an individual’s inappropriate conduct through appropriate channels
• Implementation of reasonable operational or academic changes

Sexual harassment constitutes a form of discrimination and is strictly prohibited in all departmental and work-related settings. It is defined as any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable person would find offensive, humiliating, or intimidating. All individuals retain the right to bodily integrity and a harassment-free environment at all times. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Unwelcome physical contact, touching, or sexual advances
• Solicitation of sexual favors, whether explicit or implied
• Display or distribution of sexually explicit or offensive materials in any format
• Verbal conduct of a sexual nature, including jokes, comments, or gestures
• Intrusive inquiry into or commentary about an individual’s personal or sexual life

Violations of these standards may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the department, termination of employment, or academic dismissal, consistent with applicable University policy and procedures.

Expectations in the Field

Field work is a professional setting that also offers unique opportunities for camaraderie and personal growth. This privilege, made possible by generous donors and careful planning by faculty and staff, carries the same conduct expectations as any departmental environment.

Inclusion and Access: Prior to each field excursion, trip leaders will conduct a reasonable risk assessment and evaluate whether the location is safe and welcoming for all participants regardless of personal characteristics including race, ethnicity, gender, or disability. While every effort will be made to ensure accessibility, some field settings may not be suitable for individuals with certain physical limitations.

Chain of Command: Field leaders establish strategies and goals in advance and adapt decisions as circumstances evolve. All participants may contribute to decision-making, but field leaders retain final authority. Their instructions must be respected and followed. Participants may only direct another’s actions when there is an immediate safety risk.

Conduct in the Field: All departmental standards of conduct apply in field settings without exception. Additionally, participants are expected to:

• Follow the directives of field leaders and local authorities
• Leave landscapes as found and minimize environmental impact
• Respect the cultures and communities at or near field sites, including explicitly seeking permission before photographing individuals or using their stories or information
• Serve as ambassadors of their discipline, GME, Valparaiso University, and their country

Personal Hygiene: Extended field conditions make personal hygiene both more challenging and more important. Participants are expected to maintain reasonable hygiene practices in consideration of shared living and working spaces. Field leaders will ensure that adequate facilities and reasonable accommodations are provided where practicable. Hygiene-related concerns will be addressed discreetly and with sensitivity, recognizing that conditions, medical factors, or cultural differences may be contributing factors.

Practical Limitations: Field work frequently involves extended hours and irregular schedules. While leaders will make reasonable efforts to provide adequate rest, consistency cannot always be guaranteed. Similarly, accommodating all dietary restrictions may not always be feasible, and participants are expected to take reasonable responsibility for managing their own needs. All participants retain the right to cease work when they determine conditions to be unsafe.

Our Responsibilities

All GME faculty, staff, students, and affiliates share responsibility for maintaining an environment free of bullying and harassment. This includes:

• Knowing and complying with both Valparaiso University policies and GME standards of conduct
• Proactively reviewing the standards of conduct before activities, events, field expeditions, and travel
• Supporting awareness initiatives, including annual review of the standards of conduct
• Encouraging anyone with concerns to consult the standards of conduct
• Intervening promptly when bullying or harassing behavior is observed, including directly advising those involved to cease
• Respecting the rights of all parties in any complaint process and refraining from gossip or victimization of any individual involved
• Seeking guidance from the department chairperson or a trusted faculty or staff member when needed
• Recognizing that each situation is unique and deferring to those in positions of authority for assessment and corrective action
• Using available University resources where appropriate, including the BIAS Incident Reporting System, Care and Concerns Committee, and Title IX Office

GME Van Sharing Policy

The Geography, Meteorology, and Environmental Science (GME) van was made possible by a generous donor, Dorothy “Dee” Herscher. To promote education and engagement across departments, GME may lend out the 15-person van to other departments within the Valparaiso University when it is not utilized for departmental activities. Any requested use of the departmental van by an outside department will be reviewed internally prior to approval. The department reserves the right to prioritize its needs and cancel external requests at short notice.

Use of the GME van by other departments and groups internal to Valparaiso University is subject to relevant VU travel policy, as well as the following conditions:

• Please avoid the use of this van for those outside of Valparaiso University, even if they are just passengers.
• The van may be requested by completing this form.
• Any request to use the van should be made at least 7 days prior to the need.
  • Email requests directly to the GME department chair () and copy the administrative assistant (). Provide both date and the drive-out and drive-in times.
• We can only honor requests for day trips or in some cases, short distance multi-day trips.
  • Trips must be within 50-mile distance from Valpo.
• We can only honor requests that are directly related to student experience (education/ research).
  • As an example, requests for using the van as a shuttle for conference attendees (including students) may not be honored.
• A rental fee of $100 per day (subject to change with inflation) is to be transferred to GME. This is for maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle. This fee is only for days the vehicle is actually used with no ‘minimum’ rental for weekend use.
• The van can only be driven by faculty who have completed the university’s driver program. No students, even those who have completed the driver program, are allowed to drive the van.
  • In the event of damage, authorized drivers are covered by VU’s insurance. Any extra charges not covered by insurance will be covered by the primary driver’s department that is borrowing the van. 
  • Please avoid the use of this van for those outside of Valparaiso University, even if they are just passengers.
  • The van keys may be picked up from one of the GME faculty or staff members. Please coordinate with Zoe Vander Vinne.  
  • The van should be returned to Parking Lot 5 (the lot just north of Urschel Hall) upon completion of the trip, not stored elsewhere on campus
  • Effort should be made to return the van key the GME department as soon as the trip concludes.
  • The van must be returned with a full tank of gasoline and in the same or better cleanliness condition as when it was borrowed.
    • Unlike a rental, we will not charge fees for gas not being replaced or the van being returned in a dirty condition. However, this may mean that we will not be willing to lend the vehicle to that individual or department.

The Geography, Meteorology, and Environmental Science (GME) van was made possible by a generous donor, Dorothy “Dee” Herscher. She received her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University in 1950 with majors in Business, Economics, Geography, and Geology, with a minor in Education. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in 1966 from Valparaiso University