Description

As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering’s (CISE) commitment to broaden participation in computing (BPC), several NSF CISE programs now require PIs to have a meaningful Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Plan at the time of the award. Computing departments are encouraged to develop Departmental BPC Plans that faculty can use in their proposals for those NSF programs.

To support academic institutions in developing a Departmental BPC Plan, the Computing Research Association (CRA), in collaboration with Morehouse College, is hosting a fully-funded in-person workshop on May 30th- June 1st, 2023 in Atlanta, GA.

The workshop will present information on Departmental BPC Plans, hands-on activities and resources to develop Plans, and the opportunity to engage with BPC Plan consultants. 

 

Eligibility

This workshop is open to all computing department faculty and administrators developing Departmental BPC Plans. We highly recommend (but do not require) that each department participates in the workshop in teams of 2-3. For each department, we ask that at least one participant represent the leadership (e.g., department heads, deans, etc.) at the workshop. We also encourage non-academic staff, research institute personnel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professionals, and leaders from other broadening participation-related organizations to attend. Registrants do not need to have prior experience developing Departmental BPC Plans.

 

Application

While each department may send up to three representatives to attend the workshop, we only require one application. The person that completes the application on behalf of the department will be asked to provide information on the other representatives (e.g., name, email). The early deadline for application is Sunday, April 16th. BPCnet.org will continue to accept applications after Sunday, March 19th based on capacity.

Workshop Dates

Wednesday, May 30th – Friday June 1st

 

Participation

Up to three representatives from each department will be accepted to participate in the workshop. We ask department leadership to prioritize attending with a computing department faculty or administrator that will be developing the Departmental BPC Plan.

 

Funding

This workshop is funded by the NSF. Attendees will be reimbursed for their travel expenses in accordance with CRA’s travel policy.

 

General Logistics

The workshop will be held in Atlanta, GA. Additional lodging information will be available closer to the workshop dates.

 

Accessibility

Please indicate any requests for accessibility accommodations on your workshop application. Contact Roohia Meer at bpcinfo@cra.org with any questions.

 

CRA Code of Conduct

CRA is committed to uniting industry, academia, and government to advance computer science research to positively impact the world. Key to this commitment is increasing the success and participation of computing researchers. CRA recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual and group to contribute to its mission. CRA embraces and encourages diversity and inclusion.

To achieve its mission, CRA provides a safe and welcoming environment, free from discrimination and harassment, for all participants in all CRA sponsored activities. Participants include, but are not limited to, attendees, sponsored attendees, guests, speakers, CRA staff, external vendors, sponsors, CRA board members, CRA committee members, CRA committee board members, faculty mentors, and student mentees. CRA sponsored activities include, but are not limited to, its workshops, conferences, Research Experiences for Undergraduates, board meetings, CRA’s work environment, all ancillary social gatherings, and on-line communications, including email and social media, and verbal communications to organize or otherwise contribute to these activities.

All CRA activity participants are required to treat each other with respect in all their behavior, e.g., speech, actions, and on-line communications.  CRA prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behavior at CRA activities includes, but is not limited to

Discrimination  Any behavior that discriminates, abuses, offends, or denigrates other participants based on race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, disability, appearance, political affiliation, religion, veteran status,  or any other personal characteristic or identity.

Sexual and Physical Harassment  Any unwelcome verbal, physical, conduct of a sexual nature, or conduct of a perceived sexual nature. For example, propositions, comments on physical appearance, offensive sexual comments, promises of favors for sexual activity, physical threats, touching, sexual assault, physical assault, and displaying of sexual images.

Harassment  Any behavior directed at individuals that intimidates, abuses, offends, disrupts, denigrates, creates psychological, physical or physiological fear, bullies, stalks, records, or in any way interferes with these individuals’ participation or responsibilities at CRA activities.

Retaliation  Any harassment directed at individuals who report or bear witness to violations or investigations of potential violations of the CRA Code of Conduct, or falsely reporting violations of the CRA Code of Conduct.

Be thoughtful in all your communications.  “Having no intent to offend” and “joking” do not make unacceptable behavior acceptable.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
Participation in CRA activities is considered a privilege, not a right. CRA reserves the right to:

  • remove individuals from any CRA activity without warning and without reimbursing or refunding meeting participation costs;
  • prohibit individuals from participating in future CRA activities;
  • remove individuals from CRA leadership positions; and
  • prevent individuals from deriving benefits from CRA activities.
In addition, if it comes to CRA’s attention that someone is under investigation or has been judged by their home institution or any legal body for actions and/or behavior outside of CRA-sponsored activities that do not align with the intents and purposes of the CRA code of conduct, CRA may temporarily or permanently apply these consequences.
 

Reporting of and Responses to Unacceptable Behavior
Targets of unacceptable behavior should first take appropriate actions to ensure their immediate safety.

Targets of unacceptable behavior should contact CRA staff and designated participants in person at ongoing CRA activities or by phone or email. CRA will post the designated people and contact information for each CRA activity and additional details on reporting on this website.  These designated individuals may take immediate action on verbal reports of unacceptable behavior, such as removing an individual who may have violated the code of conduct from the CRA activity.

Targets and witnesses of unacceptable behavior are encouraged to file a formal complaint with CRA using the designated process.

CRA requests all participants to act if they notice a dangerous situation and to report violations of this code of conduct to Burçin Tamer at burçin@cra.org.

 

The 2023 BPC Plan Workshop agenda will be available soon. 

If you have any questions, please contact Roohia Meer at bpcinfo@cra.org for more information.