Attendee Code of Conduct

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), also referred to as the University of Wisconsin Foundation and/or the Wisconsin Alumni Association, is committed to ensuring its events, programs, meetings, and other gatherings (whether in-person or held virtually) (“events”) are safe, positive, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive for everyone in attendance, including WFAA staff, attendees, vendors, partners, sponsors, and others (collectively, “participants”).

Expected Conduct

To support a safe, positive, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment at its events, WFAA expects all participants will:
    • Treat fellow participants with respect, consideration, and dignity.
    • Be mindful of their surroundings and fellow participants, and proactively report to WFAA any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct.
    • Inform WFAA staff if they notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
    • Respect the privacy of fellow participants and ask for consent for photography, audio-visual recordings, and/or quotes.
    • Comply with the rules and regulations of the venue where the event is held.
    • Comply with the Code of Conduct at all stages of the event, including when communicating with WFAA and venue staff before an event.
    • Follow any recommended or required health and safety precautions applicable to the event.

Prohibited Conduct

WFAA expects all participants will not engage in the following conduct:
    • Unlawful; harmful; intimidating; threatening; retaliatory; abusive; harassing; tortuous; defamatory; vulgar; obscene; libelous; discriminatory; demeaning; invasive of another’s privacy; hateful; or racially, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable writing, speech, or other conduct.
    • Unprofessional, unwelcome, uninvited, or unwanted attention or contact.
    • Sustained disruption of in-person or virtual presentations or other events.
    • Video recording or live streaming of WFAA events and/or photographing of presentations or other copyrighted materials except if expressly authorized to do so by WFAA.
    • Bringing weapons to the event venue.
    • Possessing illegal substances.
    • Drinking alcohol irresponsibly.
    • Smoking in areas other than in the venue’s designated smoking areas.
    • Damaging or vandalizing real or personal property.
    • Failing to obey any rules or regulations of the event venue.

Reporting

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety should contact local law enforcement (by calling 911) and immediately notify any on-site security staff, if any, and the nearest WFAA staff.  All other reports should be made to any WFAA staff member present at the event or emailed to wfaa@supportuw.org.

Consequences of Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited conduct will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If WFAA determines that a person has violated any part of this Code of Conduct, it may, in its sole discretion, take any action it deems necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to:
    • Issuing a verbal or written warning;
    • Refusing admission to the event;
    • Expelling the individual from the event with or without warning or refund;
    • Prohibiting attendance at any future WFAA events; and
    • Notifying the appropriate authorities.

Cooperation

WFAA has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior in violation of any state, federal, or local law or regulation. WFAA reserves the right to work with a governmental authority in their investigation of any criminal complaint involving discrimination or harassment, physical and verbal, by participants at our events.

No Retaliation

WFAA will not tolerate any actual or attempted reprisals or retaliation against individuals who raise in good faith a concern that this Code of Conduct has been violated or who participate in the investigation of such a concern.

Contact

Questions about the Code of Conduct may be directed to WFAA at (608) 263-4545 or wfaa@supportuw.org.

The Code of Conduct may be revised at any time by WFAA, in its sole discretion, and is without prejudice to WFAA’s rights, all of which it expressly reserves.