The Hub is excited to host you as a participant for Adelante! Review the participant code below. Visit the conference home page to find submission guidelines, the participant code of conduct, release, and more!

 

Participants of the NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! must abide by the Code of Conduct and Release of Liability stated below and agree to a press release for conference photos.

This Conference Code of Conduct was adapted from the SACNAS “NDiSTEM National Conference Code of Conduct.”

All conference participants agree to the participation and code of conduct policy outlined below. These policies are subject to change at the discretion of the Hub.

Abbreviations  

“NSF” refers to the National Science Foundation.

“The Hub,” “our team,” or “the Hub team” all refer to the NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub and its staff.

“Adelante!” or “the conference” both refer to the titular conference hosted by NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub and titled “NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante!”

Have a concern?  

If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate behavior or have any concerns, notify a Hub staff member as soon as possible.

Cancellation Policy 

All registration purchases are final. Regular attendee (students, postdocs, & professionals) registrations are non-transferable. Contact [email protected] for assistance.

Badge sharing, splitting, and reprints are strictly prohibited. If you are found badge sharing, splitting, or reprinting your badge your registration and access to the event may be revoked.

Information & Data Policy 

This conference and general websites may voluntarily collect submitted information including a user’s email address, phone number, address, first and last name, and any additional information submitted when completing our general or embedded data forms. In addition, Hub-affiliated websites may collect information about travel dates, etc. We do not store credit card information entered onto either site.

The protection of your personal data is extremely important to us. We follow generally accepted standards for data protection and maintain best practice safeguards. When users submit personal data, additional safeguards are deployed as an additional protective measure. All safeguards are continually updated and monitored by our team and/or a third-party technology contractor.

On completing your registration, you agree and consent to allow your name and email address information to be shared with the NSF and select Exhibitors and Sponsoring Partners.

Photo and Video Recording Policy

By registering for NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante!, you agree to allow the Hub to use any photos or video recordings taken of you during the conference in news media, websites, publications, articles, marketing pieces etc. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at [email protected].

National Conference Code of Conduct 

The Hub believes in a conference environment that is inclusive, supportive, and free from any forms of harassment or discrimination. The Hub values and respects the rights and privileges of others and asks that you honor its mission and vision through compliance with The NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! Code of Conduct, as defined:

  • The Hub is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, body size, race, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, religion (including the lack thereof or religious dress and grooming), marital status, domestic partnership status, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws.
  • The conference promotes both professional development and personal growth. Therefore, any harassment, microaggression, intimidation, and/or insinuative behavior will not be tolerated.
  • The conference upholds an illegal drug, smoke & alcohol-free atmosphere for all conference events, activities, and programming.

As a thought-leader for STEM diversity, the Hub encourages a proactive and constructive dialogue. Therefore, conference participants are asked to respect the following guidelines while participating in the conference, including video conferencing, live chat, live stream, email, social media, and any other in-person, or group communications:

  • Structure your critiques in a proactive and constructive way
  • No profanity or expletives (explicit or implied)
  • No racial epithets
  • No homophobic or transphobic language
  • No denigrating or bigoted remarks
  • No attacking individuals or groups
  • No discriminatory or offensive language towards marginalized people such as people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, or people from other ethnic or religious backgrounds
  • No commentary, content, and/or images that are pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or that can create a hostile and toxic conference environment.

Defining Inappropriate Behavior  

Harassment, microaggression, intimidation, and/or insinuations are hurtful and interfere with other attendees’ experience and participation in the NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! These behaviors are inappropriate and unacceptable. Inappropriate behavior can take many forms including but not limited to slurs, jokes, derogatory or discriminatory statements, foul or obscene language, offensive clothing, stalking, gestures, pictures, drawings, violating personal space by impeding or blocking another person’s movement, public intoxication, non-adherence to COVID policy, harassing photography or recordings, offensive emails, direct messages, texts, voicemail messages, social media postings, or any other content in any other form than can create a hostile or toxic conference environment.  

Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior  

Inappropriate behavior as outlined above will not be tolerated. If asked to stop behaving inappropriately, you should comply immediately. If violators of this policy—in part or entirety— do not comply, they will be asked to leave the conference immediately (and/or exit the virtual platform), have their entry/access revoked, be denied permission to return, and may be banned from future conferences and/or Hub participation, including volunteer service and/or future event attendance.

The Hub Reserves the Right to Moderate and Block Content: Hub conference attendees should be aware that Hub staff members will monitor and moderate attendee social media and online posts mentioning the Hub and/or using the hashtag #Adelante2024, #HSIHubConference, or any other hashtags associated with the NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! Failure to follow the above guidelines may result in posts being blocked on the displayed social wall/feed.

The Hub reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any party from the event at any time: All determinations are at the sole discretion of the Hub team, and the decision of the leading Hub team representative and/or committee will be final.

Individuals expelled due to violating this Conference Code of Conduct will not be eligible for a refund or other consolation. Severe breaches of this Conference Code of Conduct may result in disqualification from participating in future Hub events.

What to Do About Inappropriate Behavior   

If inappropriate behavior leads to an emergency, immediately call 911. If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate behavior or have any other concerns, notify a Hub staff member, in person or by email at [email protected], as soon as possible. All reports will be treated confidentially and will be thoroughly investigated.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you are experiencing or witnessing an emergency, immediately call 911. Cooperate with local authorities and notify a Hub staff member when it is safe to do so.

Drug, Smoke & Alcohol Policies 

Any violation of these policies by conference attendees is viewed by the Hub as a serious violation and will be treated accordingly. 

Illegal Drug-Free Policy 

The Hub has a zero tolerance for illegal drug use. Unlawful purchase, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance by conference participants is prohibited.

Smoke-Free Policy 

The smoke-free policy applies to the convention center, hotel premises, meeting rooms, public spaces, and any additional rooms/locations used offsite for official conference activities. The use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and related products are also prohibited.

Conference attendees are required to adhere to individual hotel smoke-free policies and individual venue smoke-free policies (e.g., universities, corporate headquarters, etc.)

Alcohol-Free Policy  

The alcohol-free policy applies to all conference events in the convention center, meeting rooms, public spaces, and any additional rooms/locations used offsite for official conference activities. The Hub prohibits alcohol consumption by conference attendees under the age of 21.

The following can be exempted from the conference alcohol policy restriction, with prior written approval of the Hub:

    • Any sponsored event that is held off-site (outside of the convention center) for professionals (21 and over). These events must be approved in advance by the Hub but are the sole responsibility of the sponsoring organization.
    • Any funder and/or partner cultivation, stewardship, or appreciation event off-site for professionals (21 and over).
    • Additional exemption requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Student Scholars 

Student scholars caught with or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs of any sort will be removed from the trip and sent home at their own expense. If the participant is removed from the Conference, no money will be refunded for the portion of the trip missed. Transportation to the appropriate airport to travel home and any additional fees assessed by the airlines and/or conference fees are the responsibility of the participant.

Family Participation Policy 

The Family Participation Policy extends to all minors (ages 17 and under). All conference attendees must be 18 years or older, unless any of the following exceptions apply:

Exceptions 

  • Infants (up to 12 months) or children up to 24 months can stay with their parent(s) throughout the conference. If a parent is seeking a lactation room, they can reach out to Hub staff to find suitable space on the event premises.
  • Children (up to age 17) of a breakout session speaker will only be allowed to attend their family member’s session and will not be allowed to attend other conference activities. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while within the event premises.

Disclaimer: If children are brought to the convention center and/or any Hub events, the parent/guardian is the sole responsible party. If the child/ren are over 24 months old, the conference participant will be asked to adhere to the Family Participation Policy and remove the child/ren from the conference. The Hub will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost, or other sum to any child/ren brought to the conference or any related conference activities.

Code of Conduct concern?  

This NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! stands as a testament to those working to bring about positive changes and opportunities for populations who have been historically excluded and underserved. In the event that you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, witness or are subjected to inappropriate behavior or have any concerns please reach out to a Hub conference staff member immediately for support.

Event COVID-19 Policy

Event guidance is based on information provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and current travel guidelines from local authorities.

COVID-19 Vaccinations  

We encourage all event participants (attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and speakers) be fully vaccinated and boosted by the event start date (CDC Vaccination Guidance). Our greatest concern is the health and safety of our staff, conference participants, and attendees. Please take personal responsibility for your health and safety and in turn, protect the health and safety of  others around you.

Face Coverings  

Masks are encouraged at all Adelante! events. (CDC Mask Information)

Health and Safety Signage  

Signage will be placed throughout the venue to remind all participants to frequently wash and sanitize their hands and to follow recommended face covering practices.  

Screening Event 

Participants are strongly encouraged to participate in daily self-screening before attending a Hub event. We ask that you not enter the event spaces or any Hub event if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have had close contact with a person who has COVID-19:

  • Feeling feverish or having a temperature of 100°F or higher
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills or repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain or body aches
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue

If you have any questions about this policy please contact us at [email protected].

Other COVID-19 Policy links:   

Albuquerque, NM’s COVID-19 Travel Information: www.visitalbuquerque.org/covid-19-traveler-information/

COVID-19 Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk
COVID-19 AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: I agree, understand, and acknowledge, that an inherent risk of exposure to the disease COVID-19 (as defined by the World Health Organization and any strains, variants, or mutations thereof) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that can cause COVID-19) (collectively, “COVID-19”), and any other communicable or infectious disease, exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious communicable disease that can lead to severe illness and death. No precautions can eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, and the risk of exposure applies to everyone. I also acknowledge that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease includes the risk that I will expose others that I later encounter, even if I am not experiencing or displaying any symptoms of illness.

I acknowledge that my participation in this event is entirely voluntary, and I acknowledge and agree to voluntarily assume any and all risks in any way related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease, including illness, injury, or death of myself or others. I hereby release and hold harmless the HSI STEM Hub, its employees, members, agents, directors, officers and representatives and other participants in the event from and against all liabilities (statutory or otherwise) for claims, suits, demands, judgments, costs, interest and expense (including but not limited to attorney’s fees and disbursements) for injury, illness, permanent disability, or death related to COVID-19 arising from or in connection with my attendance at the event, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE, ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE RELEASED PARTIES.

I also agree that I will be solely responsible for all costs, whether direct or indirect, associated with any mandated quarantine, isolation or travel restrictions imposed by any governmental authority or any cancellation of the event relating to COVID-19 or any other communicable disease or public health crisis. 

By participating in this event, I attest I am knowledgeable about my individual risk of developing severe illness if I am infected with COVID-19 or other communicable or infectious disease; I have made an informed decision about participating based on my individual risk; and I have decided whether to consult with a health care provider based on my individual risk. I further acknowledge and agree to follow all COVID-19 rules, regulations, mandates and safety protocols issued from time to time by the Hub, the state of New Mexico, and/or the CDC, including but not limited to: (a) mandatory COVID-19 testing at such times and frequency as required by the CDC, New Mexico, or other relevant agency, which may include testing before and after the event; (b) daily health screening (including temperature checks) for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and known exposure to COVID-19; (c) denial of participation due to signs and symptoms of a possible COVID-19 infection or known exposure to COVID-19; (d) participation in contact tracing and data collection for COVID-19 tracking; (e) mandatory isolation and/or quarantine as ordered by a public health authority; (f) closure of an activity or event due to a positive or suspected COVID-19 infection in a participant (g) mandatory use of face coverings/face masks; and (h) following social distancing requirements of New Mexico or any public health authority.

NSF HSI National STEM Resource Hub Capstone Conference: Adelante! Release of Liability

By signing this Waiver and Release of Liability (Agreement), I waive and release the Hub, its agents, servants, employees, insurers, successors and assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages or suits at law and equity of any kind, including but not limited to claims for personal injury, property damage, medical expenses, loss of services, on account of or in any way related to or growing out of my presence or involvement at the facility, programs and activities of the Hub at off-site events.

This waiver and release is intended to and does release the Hub from any and all liability for damages or injuries on account of or in any way related to or growing out of my negligence, the negligence of third parties and the Hub’s negligence or gross negligence. This is not intended to release the Hub from any liability resulting from their intentional conduct. This is not intended to release the Hub from any liability resulting from their intentional misconduct.

I further covenant and agree not to institute any claims or legal action against the Hub or its staff for any claim released by this Agreement. I further agree that should any claim be made against the Hub in contravention of this Agreement, including but not limited to derivative claims, I will protect, defend and completely indemnity (reimburse) the Hub for any such claim and expenses including attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the Hub in defending themselves or security indemnity hereunder.
I understand that the Hub is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged valuables or property.

I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy of the current rules and regulations governing the use of the facility. I agree that I will fully comply with all rules and regulations and with any amendments. 

UNATTENDED ITEMS/ADDITIONAL SECURITY

The Hub nor the Hotel cannot ensure the security of items left unattended in function rooms. Special arrangements may be made with the Hotel for securing a limited number of valuable items. If Group requires additional security with respect to such items or for any other reason, the Hotel will assist in making these arrangements. All security personnel to be utilized during the Event are subject to Hotel approval.

 

Updated on: 3/3/24