MCM LTER releases statement on recent allegations of harassment

McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research (MCM LTER) Project Statement on Recent Allegations of Harassment by Prominent Antarctic Field Scientist On October 6, 2017, Science reported that Boston University is investigating allegations of sexual harassment against one of their faculty members. In response to this, the MCM LTER has generated the following statement to articulate our stance on harassment given our extensive field science operations, and reinforce our commitment to an open, respectful, and productive environment.The McMurdo LTER neither condones nor tolerates harassment or intimidation of any kind including, but not limited to, hazing of new participants, verbal intimidation, and sexual harassment.  As employees of academic institutions in the US and participants in a federally-funded project, participants are bound by the requirements and expectations of Title IX, which states (in part) “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX applies to our behavior toward each other, toward non-MCM LTER scientists, and toward anyone else we encounter while deploying or deployed to Antarctica. While deployed, many of our project participants stay in remote field camps in relatively close quarters sometimes sharing these spaces with other science groups and USAP staff for extended periods of time. Our field teams each year have participants new to field work, and/or new to Antarctica, which presents challenges to everyone involved, beyond the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Our long history of excellent science is built upon collaboration and teamwork.  We encourage anyone who feels that they have been harassed in any way or that have witnessed harassment, should contact their team leader, project PI, the MCM LTER PI in the field (schedule distributed for each season), camp staff (if available), and/or the NSF Science Representative. Communication is essential. It is our core belief that all participants demonstrate respect for each other and everyone else with whom they work while deploying and deployed. NSF statement on harassment is available here: https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=137466

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