Our lab group exists within CCIB which itself is within the University. Each has its own set of expectations for members and we will abide by each but also supplement with our own code for behavior. Conduct guidelines for Rutgers University and CCIB are at the bottom of the page below. Please read those as they capture the same spirit as our code and provide a framework for how we should conduct ourselves. Our lab code of conduct is a set of norms to guide our collective behavior to make the lab a safe, welcoming, and equitable place.
- Equity and Inclusion. We are, and strive to remain, a diverse group of scientists. To that end, we must ensure that the lab is a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for all socioeconomic and religious backgrounds and racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities.
- Kindness. Above all else, be kind. No amount of seniority, knowledge, intelligence, or ability excuses unkind behavior. Furthermore, mean and disparaging speech to other members of the lab or community invalidates the position of the speaker, regardless of the veracity of their statements. In other words, if you are unkind it doesn’t matter if you are factually correct, you are still in the wrong.
- Advice requires consent. It is extremely rare that a student will be in a position to directly comment upon or control the actions of other lab members without their prior consent. What do we mean by consent in this context? Two lab members working together on a project consent to constructive feedback and collaboration on that project. A lab member presenting a practice talk to the lab provides their consent to receive feedback on their presentation. Absent such consent, even well-meaning advice should be avoided. The rare exception is if you observe behavior that could result in imminent harm. In all other instances, concerns should be discussed with the PI. If your concerns are in regard to the actions or conduct of the PI, then speak to the CCIB Graduate Program Director or the Dean of Students.
What to do?
The PI is the responsible party for the smooth operation of the lab. Lab members are always welcome to discuss the laboratory environment with the PI. That said, if you feel someone has behaved towards you in a way that violates the spirit of the above code, you may find the best solution is to calmly tell them. The point is to convey how a statement or action has affected you. Everyone slips up from time to time and what seems like a well-intentioned statement to a speaker might be hurtful to the recipient. Mistakes are not an issue but refusing to learn from them is. If someone tells you that you’ve overstepped, take a moment to process what they have said. While it is natural to feel the need to defend yourself, remember that 1) this person has expended emotional energy to tell you how they feel and 2) that they are telling you in the hopes to make the lab a better place for everyone. Please respond in that same spirit. If the issue cannot be resolved then consider jointly discussing with the PI.
CCIB Code of Conduct
Some unprofessional student conduct may not be so disruptive that it breaks official RU policy, but if you keep doing it, it will cause distress to other students and/or harm your own future career. Being a scientist can require receiving very direct criticism about your work. In a supportive scientific community, it’s especially important to balance this out by consideration at a personal level.
Untruthful speech should be particularly avoided by scientists, especially in a professional setting. Even if it is truthful, most unkind speech is also unnecessary, and should also be avoided. An exception: truthful and seemingly unkind comments can be a necessary part of scientific training and the scientific review process. All scientists receive them, and as you go through your scientific career, you’ll have increasing responsibility to give this feedback. As a student, the areas where you need to do this will be limited and usually designated by faculty.
Truthful and kind speech may actually be more necessary than you think. CCIB expects all students will treat each other with respect and consideration; if a fellow student makes statements that are unnecessary and unkind, let them know you see them that way. We expect that most of our students are pretty fair and gracious people who would rather not unduly upset each other if they can help it. If you’re not comfortable with that or if it doesn’t stop the behavior, ask the GPD or Dean of Students office for a more structured mediation.
Even if you are not in strict violation of a policy, poor conduct reduces your chances of future success. Concerns like this may originate from your PI, or from other faculty members. The GPD will consult with your PI, and you may be asked to have a Conduct Improvement meeting. This required meeting could include your PI, the CCIB GPD, Director, faculty member who witnessed conduct, or a subset of these faculty members depending on need and circumstance. The purpose is to discuss how such conduct could reduce your success in the future, as well as more desirable alternatives. It is considered a pedagogical rather than a disciplinary meeting.
CCIB Code of conduct
Rutgers Code of Conduct
A university in a free society must be devoted to the pursuit of truth and knowledge through reason and open communication among its members. Its rules should be conceived for the purpose of furthering and protecting the rights of all members of the university community in achieving these ends. All members of the Rutgers University community are expected to behave in an ethical and moral fashion, respecting the human dignity of all members of the community and resisting behavior that may cause danger or harm to others through violence, theft, or bigotry. All members of the Rutgers University community are expected to adhere to the civil and criminal laws of the local community, state, and nation, and to regulations promulgated by the university. All members of the Rutgers University community are expected to observe established standards of scholarship and academic freedom by respecting the intellectual property of others and by honoring the right of all students to pursue their education in an environment free from harassment and intimidation.
Rutgers University Code of Conduct