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GSA Update on Sexual Harassment Reporting

Maria Daniella Douglas and Barbara C. Bruno’s article, institutions to plagiarism. Thus far, the GSA Council—the
“Silence Comes at a Cost: Sexual Harassment Reporting in Society’s highest governing body—has found ethical misconduct
STEM,” (p. 24) reinforces GSA’s conviction that universities, sci- in two of these cases and voted to impose stiff penalties, including
entific societies, and other institutions need to be far more trans- revoking a member’s status as a GSA Fellow and banning another
parent about discrimination and harassment complaints and how member from GSA events for several years. Four of the six
they are handled. Staying silent about such issues is risky. It sends remaining cases are pending, and GSA closed the other two
a message that inappropriate conduct is tolerated. This increases because there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.
the likelihood of future misconduct and prevents talented geosci- GSA will continue to take all ethics complaints seriously and
entists from achieving their full potential. impose sanctions against individuals who violate our policies.
GSA is committed to fostering a culture of integrity, respect, Being transparent about these efforts is critical. We also recognize
and scientific excellence across the geosciences so scientists with the importance of playing a leadership role in driving positive cul-
diverse backgrounds and identities feel welcome and included. ture change within the geoscience community. As a member of the
That is one of the reasons GSA established a new Code of Ethics Leadership Council of the Societies Consortium on Sexual
and Professional Conduct in 2019. Under this policy, we spell out Harassment in STEMM, we are actively exploring ways to
aspirational standards to guide our members. The Code of Ethics improve our policies and practices. We also are working with a
also includes specific mandatory standards of conduct that will culture task force composed of members and other geoscientists to
not be tolerated, including discrimination, harassment, sexual identify practical ways we can work together to make GSA
harassment, bullying, and retaliation. events—and the broader geosciences community—more welcoming
In the past year, GSA has received eight ethics complaints on and inclusive for people of diverse identities.
topics ranging from sexual harassment at our members’ home — Nan Yale Stout, GSA Ethics & Compliance Officer

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26 GSA Today | August 2020