GUIDELINES FOR
inclusive gatherings, events, & parties
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T
hese guidelines were created to help the Caltech residential communities host inclusive events. In this guidebook you
will find tips for creating safe spaces and building community. Safe spaces are defined as places where students and all members of the Caltech community can experience freedom from discrimination, harassment, or any other emotional, physical, or mental harm. The booklet contains guidance on themes, guests, dress code, sexual misconduct, and the intersection of sexual misconduct and alcohol. This is a high-level summary, for specific
questions please contact the Equity and Title IX Office
(titleix@caltech.edu).
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themes Parties, events or gatherings must use inclusive themes. Inclusive themes promote community, safety, and enjoyment. Appropriate themes allow everyone, including staff working the event, to attend the gathering without
START HER
Could a membe the Caltech comm be offended b the theme?
feeling uncomfortable, shamed, excluded or marginalized. It is important to remember that people will not always feel the freedom to share when they are uncomfortable with
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an element of a party, gathering or event. When you are choosing a theme, look to the flowchart to determine if the theme you have chosen is appropriate. THEMES THAT INCLUDE OR ENCOURAGE THE FOLLOWING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED: • Disrobing • Complete or partial nudity • Sexual content • Gender stereotypes • Sexual violence • Race or ethnicity stereotypes • Racist slurs • Misogynistic language or themes • LGBTQ stereotypes • Hate language
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Could a member of the Caltech community feel targeted?
YES
• Jokes about disability While this is not an exhaustive list, we do encourage you to use the theme flowchart when choosing a theme. 4
Find another theme.
Could a memb of the Caltec community fe unwelcome?
NO
Could someo be unsafe (phys or emotional) participating this theme?
RE
er of munity by ?
ber ch eel ?
one sical by in ?
YES
Think about how you can remove the elements that may be offensive to someone.
What elements can you add to make someone feel welcome? What elements need to be removed so that someone feels welcome at the event?
It’s time to rethink your theme.
Get some outside input from a friend, mentor, Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) or the Community Educator (x1743 or titleix@caltech.edu)
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YES
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Does the theme support a safe and inclusive environment free of race, gender, sexuality, or ability bias? Is the theme free of all bias?
NOT SURE
YES
CONGRATULATIONS! YES
How can you restore elements of safety? How can you modify the theme so that everyone can enjoy the event?
Sounds like you’ve picked a great theme.
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guests Event hosts are permitted to create and enforce a guest list, in consultation with the undergraduate deans and the office of residential experience. In the case that a residence opts for a guest list, students’ names must be included on the list in order to enter the party. Alternatively, students may present a list of those that are not welcome to attend the event. A student’s name may be listed on the no-entry list because of past behavior at similar functions or for other reasons. A no-entry list must be discussed and approved in advance with the undergraduate deans and the office of residential experience. A person could be placed on the no-entry list for several reasons, including, but not limited to, reasons related to Title IX concerns, the misuse of alcohol, past aggressive behavior, the destruction of property, threatening language or actions, drug use or distribution, or other concerns not listed here. In addition to a guest list, event hosts are permitted to utilize other means of maintaining order. Hosts may opt to use a warning system. For example, a host may determine that a certain guest’s behavior is potentially problematic. Some examples may include, but are not limited to, excessive flirting, aggressive language, disruptive behavior, or other drunken behavior. In a case such as this, the host should work with Orange Watch and staff members present, 6
either Security or staff from the office of residential experience, to notify the individual that if the behavior continues, they will be asked to leave. Alternatively, a host is not required to offer a warning. In some cases, a person’s behavior may indicate that hosts should work with staff members present to have the person removed immediately. Some examples could include, but are not limited to, threatening language or actions, inappropriate touches or advances, drug use, vulgarity or extreme drunkenness. Members of the host residence can also be asked to leave the party area if they are found to be a source of concern. A student that is removed from the party by the host residence my not be permitted to return to other gatherings hosted by the residence. Each particular residence will have the option to discuss with the undergraduate deans and the office of residential experience whether or not said individual will be permitted to return to the residence for future events. 7
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dress code While there is no dress code at Caltech, all members of the community should be mindful of what will promote inclusiveness when choosing an outfit. Federal statues, like Title IX, are put into place to ensure that academic and adjacent spaces, like residence halls, are inclusive and secure environments. This means that all students and staff should feel free and comfortable to access the public spaces of a residence hall, like a party area, without fear of seeing or experiencing something that would illicit discomfort. Wearing sexually explicit clothing, such as lingerie, or choosing to forgo clothing altogether, could cause a reasonable person to feel discomfort and, therefore, is not permitted in publicly accessible spaces. Additionally, it should be noted that indecent exposure, or the exposure of one’s genitals, is illegal under both California and federal statue. For more information on what constitutes indecent exposure, please consult California’s Penal Code 314 or the Code of Federal Regulations (25 CFR 11.408).
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sexual misconduct All Caltech community members are protected by the Caltech policy from all forms of sexual or gender-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation and stalking. As members of the community we should pay particular attention when someone is starting to behave in a way that indicates they are planning to initiate some sort of sexual activity. Oftentimes, these boastings are framed in a light of power or pleasure, rather than genuine attraction or care for the other person. Alternatively, the person planning a sexual experience may not have anyone in particular in mind. This is also a red flag and should tip you off that this is a person to watch closely. We encourage you to notice the language and actions of the people you are with. If the language is discriminatory, sexist, or sounds like “locker room talk,” this person should be monitored. Additionally, if someone is touching, groping, grabbing or “glomming,” whether alcohol-fueled or not, they should be watched or even asked to leave. This kind of behavior could be tantamount to a Title IX violation and should not be taken lightly. INTERSECTION OF ALCOHOL AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT Another area that must be addressed is the intersection of alcohol and sexual misconduct. There is a clear connection between intoxication and incidents of sexual assault, sexual violence, and non-consensual activities. The majority of reported non-consensual sexual activity at Caltech involves alcohol. 10
Unfortunately, we know that these instances can occur anywhere at any time, however, it is especially important to be aware that these occurrences are often more frequent at alcohol-fueled events. Drinking alcohol can both lower your impulse control and reduce judgment. This means that you are more likely to make risky behavioral choices or become aggressive when under the influence of alcohol. OVERALL, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER A FEW THINGS: • A person cannot legally consent to sexual activity if they are incapacitated as a result of alcohol or other drug use. • Sexual assault is a crime of violence. Alcohol never justifies violent, criminal behavior. • Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for non-consensual sexual activity. A person under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not cause others to assault them; others choose to take advantage of the situation and a person is in a vulnerable position. • Finally, deliberately alcohol or other drugs (“roofies”) as a means to subdue someone in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is crime and carries with it a sentence of up to 20 years.
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bystander interventio Simply, if you see something, do something. It is better to be wrong about what you thought was a potentially dangerous situation, than to overlook an incident that, ultimately, has the ability to ruin or end a life. Here are a few quick tips to remember when you are considering stepping up. There are many different ways that you can choose to intervene in a situation. Never do something to put yourself at risk, and remember that stepping up may mean passing the baton to someone more able to address the situation. Ways to step up include:
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DIRECT – In these instances, the best way to step up could simply mean speaking with your friend or peer directly. An example of when this could be appropriate could include, but is not limited to: When
you notice that a friend is attempting to hook up with someone that has had too much to drink. You could say, “I know that you want to get with them, and I have a feeling that they want to get with you too, but I think you (or the other person) has had too much to drink to make that choice tonight. Why don’t you see if you both feel the same way tomorrow?”
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on tactics
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DELEGATION – Sometimes the situation has developed in a way that would make your direct intervention either uncomfortable or dangerous. In those cases, it is always appropriate to pass the baton along to authority that can
better respond. An example of this could include, but is not limited to: If you witness a potential sexual assault unfolding. This could look like two incapacitated people splitting off from the larger group to engage in sexual activity or one person seemingly taking advantage of another person’s incapacitation for sexual purposes. In a case such as one of these, it may be too late for you to stage an intervention. Instead, it may be best to ask someone else to intervene. Perhaps that means one of the individual’s roommates or close friends, a Resident Advisor (RA), Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) or Security.
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DISTRACTION – In some situations, it may be best to create a diversion to diffuse the situation. This should only be done if it can be carried out safely. An example of this could include, but is not limited to: If you witness someone
targeting a friend or peer in a way that seems to be sexually predatory, it would be appropriate to create a distraction for either party. For example, you could tell one person that a friend is looking for them in another room.
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campus resources You do not have to maintain the safety and order of events on your own. There are resources on campus that can help you if you are presented with a challenging situation. It is important to remember that you can always call Security if you feel that a situation is growing out of hand. It is better to call in for reinforcements prematurely than for a situation to escalate without assistance on hand. To reach Security at any time, call (626) 395-5000. Additionally, administration recognizes that, at times, it can be difficult or awkward to police your peers. When that is the case, it is always appropriate to pass the concerning information on to someone who is equipped to take corrective action. In the case of an event held in the residence halls, that is most likely the RLC. Never hesitate to contact the RA or RLC on duty to share about a problematic situation that could be unfolding. It is also acceptable to request anonymity when reporting a concern. 15
CONTACT US The Equity Office and Title IX 626-395-3132 titleix@caltech.edu