CUSID Code of Conduct By-Law

CUSID CODE OF CONDUCT BY-LAW

Purpose

1. The purpose of this By-Law is to give effect to the principle that all participants at events organized by CUSID members should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as participants in events organized by CUSID members, without being hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or disability, and to be free from harassment and intimidation in the performance of these duties and obligations.

Prohibited grounds of discrimination or harassment

2. All participants at a tournament hosted by a CUSID member will not engage in any behaviour that will undermine or attack the goals and purposes of CUSID including, but not limited to:

a. use offensive language or behaviour;
b. make denigrating comments on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or disability;
c. harass, threaten, assault or intimidate other participants; or
d. damage or destroy any property that does not belong to them.

Complaints and equity officer

3. All intervarsity tournaments hosted by CUSID members shall appoint a Complaints and Equity Officer to investigate any complaints, including those under section 2.

4. The CUSID member hosting the intervarsity tournament shall outline the procedure for investigating and resolving complaints made to the Complaints and Equity Officer prior to the tournament’s commencement.

4.1.1 All procedures for investigating and resolving complaints must include the following:

a) a process for the making of anonymous complaints;
b) a process for the accused persons or persons to make a written statement responding to the allegation against him or her;
c) a process for determining whether section 2 has been violated;
d) a process for determining the appropriate punishment in the event of a violation of section 2;
e) a process for informing all affected parties; and
f) a process for determining whether the complaint should be reviewed by the membership of CUSID.

5. The procedure for investigating and resolving complaints must be publicized prior to the commencement of the tournament.

6. The CUSID Executive shall provide training and assistance to CUSID members for the investigation and resolution of complaints.

7. The duties of the Complaints and Equity Officers include, but are not limited to:

a) Being aware of all resources of the security provisions of the institution at which the tournament is hosted;
b) Being visible and available for the duration of the tournament, including attendance at social events;
c) Acting in a responsible manner and be prepared to deal with any eventuality at all times;
d) Investigating all complaints; and
e) Issuing a report at the close of the tournament.

Procedure for review on request of the complaints and equity officer

8. A CUSID member, having investigated a complaint at its tournament, may request that the complaint be reviewed by the membership of CUSID at its next general meeting.

9. All requests for review by the membership of CUSID must include a written report detailing the investigation by the Complaints and Equity Officer.

10. Upon a two-thirds majority vote, the membership of CUSID may make an order against the person found to have engaged in the prohibited practice and include in the order any one or more of the following terms that the membership considers appropriate:

a. a written order reprimanding the person for their conduct;
b. an oral order reprimanding the person for their conduct;
c. an order that the person apologize to the complainant for their conduct; or
d. an order prohibiting the person from participating in CUSID-sanctioned events for a period no less than three months and no more than five years.

11. All orders shall take the form prescribed in Schedule A.

Definitions

12. In this Bylaw,

Harassment is defined as engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.

Participant is defined as a debater, adjudicator, observer, or individual involved in the organization of the tournament.

Schedule A

The Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) has determined that ____________________________ (insert name) has engaged in behaviour that undermines and attacks the goals and purposes of CUSID.

CUSID hereby determines that the appropriate punishment is _____________________ (insert punishment).