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Conference Safety Plan

Albany Medical College
Conference Safety Plan

Commitment to Safety

Albany Medical College, part of the Albany Med Health System, is committed to providing a safe environment for this conference free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. As a conference organizer and the recipient of an NIH R13 award supporting this conference, Albany Medical College is required to provide this Conference Safety Plan.

Conference Code of Conduct

It is expected that all conference participants, whether or not affiliated with Albany Medical College and regardless of their role, will conduct themselves with integrity, in a manner that enables everyone to work and learn with security and dignity, free from unwelcome, insulting, degrading or exploitive treatment or harassment. Potential violations of this Conference Code of Conduct should be made using one of the confidential channels set forth below.

Some examples of harassing, discriminatory and retaliatory behaviors include:

  • Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, touching, or impeding movements.

  • Unwelcome comments or behavior in any medium related to an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability, height, marital status, political persuasion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.

  • Unwelcome teasing, joking, or flirting based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity/orientation.

  • Threats or insinuations, either explicit or implicit, that an individual’s refusal to submit to or acquiesce in sexual advances or sexual conduct will adversely affect their education, employment, evaluation, wages, advancement, assigned duties, benefits, or any other aspect of education, employment, or career advancement.

Reporting Channels for Questions, Concerns & Complaints

Any conference participant who believes they have been subjected to conduct in violation of the Conference Code of Conduct or applicable policies, or who becomes aware of such conduct, is strongly encouraged to report it using one of the following confidential reporting channels:

  • In an emergency, call 911.

  • Conference Organizing Committee members (Ariella Sprague, Ellinor Grinde, Katherine MacNamara, and Michael Robek) will be available at the registration table during active conference hours.

  • Albany Medical Center Title IX Deputy Coordinator and Chief Compliance Officer Noel Hogan: 518-262-4692 or hogann@amc.edu

  • Albany Medical Center Director of Hospital Regulatory Affairs and Section 504 Coordinator Kara Ritschdorff: 518-262-3577; TDD or State Relay Number: 518-262-3756

  • Confidential, anonymous Albany Medical Center TIPP Line: 518-264-8477; via email to compliance@amc.edu; or online at: https://amc.cqs.symplr.com/Portal/CreateForm/450012

  • Albany Medical Center Human Resources: 518-262-8414

  • For non-emergencies only, contact the Oswego, N.Y. Police Department: 315-343-1212, and/or John O’C. Conway Municipal Building, 169 West Second Street, Oswego, NY.

Individuals may also notify the NIH (https://public.era.nih.gov/shape/public/notificationForm.era or 301-480-6701), or file a complaint with HHS Office of Civil Rights at the address below related to harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Civil Rights
200 Independence Ave. SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

Filing a complaint with Albany Medical College is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and seeking assistance from Albany Medical College in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR.

How Albany Medical College Responds to Reports

Reports will be referred promptly to the appropriate Albany Medical College office for investigation, which includes the assessment of allegations in light of evidence collected, in accordance with the applicable policy and procedure. The confidentiality of individuals reporting possible instances of noncompliance will be protected to the extent possible. Upon completion of an investigation, Albany Medical College students and employees found to have engaged in acts of harassment, discrimination or retaliation will be promptly disciplined. If circumstances warrant, discipline for Albany Medical College students or employees may include suspension, expulsion, or termination. Consequences may be pursued related to individuals who are not Albany Medical College students or employees, which may include ineligibility to participate in future conferences organized by Albany Medical College.

Individuals making reports in good faith will not be retaliated against for having made the report regardless of whether noncompliant acts have occurred. Acts of retaliation or intimidation resulting from involvement in an investigation of potential instances of noncompliance are prohibited. All suspected acts of retaliation, intimidation, or other forms of harassment should be reported immediately to Albany Medical Center Corporate Compliance.

Albany Medical College’s Student Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure provides the grievance process for complaints alleging sexual harassment as defined by Title IX, as well as prohibited relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking and retaliation. Albany Medical College's Personal Conduct/Harassment policy provides the grievance procedure for complaints alleging all other forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Albany Medical College is responsible for receiving reports of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, and facilitating the filing of complaints under these policies, connecting affected individuals with supportive measures, accommodations, interim measures and other assistive resources, and for conducting investigations of alleged violations of both policies.

Additional Online Resources


New York State combating sexual harassment in the workplace:

https://www.ny.gov/PROGRAMS/COMBATING-SEXUAL-HARASSMENT-WORKPLACE

New York State human rights law:

https://dhr.ny.gov/new-york-state-human-rights-law

U.S. E.E.O.C. harassment:

https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment

U.S. E.E.O.C. discrimination:

https://www.eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination

NIH Supporting a Safe and Respectful Workplace at Institutions that Receive NIH Funding:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment.htm

U.S. Department of Education Harassment Prevention Resources:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/pro-students/har-resources.html

Thank you for your cooperation with this Conference Safety Plan.

Enjoy the conference!