PLAN FOR SAFE & INCLUSIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OFF-CAMPUS OR OFF-SITE RESEARCH

Background

It is National Science Foundation (NSF) policy to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted. NSF’s policy 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. Accordingly, effective for all NSF proposals submitted on or after January 30, 2023, each proposal that involves conducting research off-campus or off-site must have a plan in place for the proposed project 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.

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

Key Institutional Policies & Procedures

Skidmore College is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning, living, and working environment. The following Skidmore College policies and their associated procedures define prohibiting conduct:

1. Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct (SGBM) Student Policies and Procedures (which includes Title IX Policy for Students and Enough is Enough Policy);
2. SGBM Faculty Policy and Procedures (which includes Title IX Policy for Faculty and Anti-Harassment Policy for Faculty); and
3. SGBM Staff Policy and Procedures (which includes Title IX Policy for Staff and Anti-Harassment Policy for Staff).

Skidmore College students, faculty, and staff as well as non-members are expected to comply with our policies.

In accordance with New York law, all employees (faculty, staff, union, part time, etc.) must complete annual discrimination and harassment prevention training, Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together. The College’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity and Anti-Harassment Policies and Procedures for  staff and faculty, the Student Code of Social Conduct, and the Gender-based Misconduct Policies outlined above apply to conduct occurring on Skidmore college property or at College-sanctions events or programs that take place off-campus, including study abroad and internship programs, as well as to off-campus conduct that is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on any member of the Skidmore College community or Skidmore College.

To learn more, please see visit the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct website.

Implementation of the NSF Requirement at Skidmore College

To develop and maintain a project specific Plan for Safe & Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research, PIs are required to:

Pre-Submission:

1. Develop a project specific plan using our template prior to proposal submission, and provide a copy of the plan to the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR); the OSR will review the plan and request, if necessary, that the PIs make revisions to the plan.

Post-Award:

1. Review their plan and make any necessary updates to the plan prior to conducting any off-campus or off-site research travel, if the proposal is funded.
2. Distribute the plan to all individuals participating in the off-campus or off-site research prior to departure.

To ensure compliance with NSF’s Plan for a Safe and Inclusive Off-Campus Work Environment requirement, records will be maintained, as follows:

Pre-Submission:

1. PIs are required to provide the OSR with a copy of their plan prior to submission; the PIs and the OSR are required to retain a copy of this plan.

Post-Award:

1. PIs are required to provide the OSR with a copy of all updated plans (prior to departure). PIs and the OSR are required to retain a copy of the plan, or updated plan, throughout the duration of the award and for a period of three years after the financial closeout of the grant.
2. PIs are required to document that this policy and the plan have been distributed to all individuals prior to conducting research travel (e.g., signature page, email confirmation of receipt, etc.)

Plan for Safe & Inclusive Working Environments Template

Downloadable Plan for Safe & Inclusive Working Environments Template