Pi Kappa Delta’s Statement on Discrimination Pi Kappa Delta is committed to the principles of free expression and exploration of ideas in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect.  These principles should guide the behavior of the organization’s members and participants.  In furtherance of this, all members of the Pi Kappa Delta community shall have access to Pi Kappa Delta’s services, resources, and activities without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a uniformed service veteran. Although the nature of the academic forensics community is to provide a forum for the robust expression (including tolerance), criticism, and discussion of the widest range of opinions.  Pi Kappa Delta proscribes the use of this forum for any type of bigotry.  As a result, the organization prohibits any verbal, physical, or other conduct that constitutes discrimination including harassment, based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a uniformed service veteran. Harassment is one form of discriminatory conduct.  Conduct can be harassing when it has the purpose or effect of limiting or denying an individual’s ability to participate in the organization’s activities or creating a hostile, intimidating, or offensive academic environment based on the individual’s race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a uniformed service veteran; or when submission to the conduct is either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of participation in the organization’s activities; or when submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for decisions affecting an individual’s access to the organization’s services, resources, or activities.   Harassment is particularly offensive when the harasser is in a position of supervision or control over his or her victims. This is not to suggest that the presentation of reasoned, evidenced claims about an individual or social group that offends certain individuals or groups is prohibited.  Indeed, this expression is distinguished from gratuitous or denigrating claims based on an individual’s or group’s race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a uniformed service veteran.  The former is bona fide academic discourse while the latter is demeaning and degrading and harassing treatment of fellow human beings. Any member of Pi Kappa Delta who engages or threatens to engage in discrimination or harassment, as set forth above, violates the organization’s fundamental principles and shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.  By formulating this statement on discrimination, Pi Kappa Delta intends to eliminate this range of conduct and inappropriate activity. This statement, however, does not guarantee that the academic forensics environment will be comfortable for all members of the community all the time.  Often arguments and ideas are unsettling and disturbing.  When one’s ideas are under attack the experience can be both painful and highly educational.  Simply because a situation is uncomfortable does not mean the underlying conduct violates this statement.  In accordance with the principles of academic freedom, it is central to academic forensics that teachers and students be allowed to take controversial positions in good faith without fear or consequence.  This statement only applies when conduct falls outside these legitimate academic bounds. Pi Kappa Delta encourages all its provinces and chapters to adopt statements of discrimination that embraces the principles embodied above for all locally and provincially sponsored events, activities, or meetings. PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING DISCRIMINATION The following procedures are designed to ensure that Pi Kappa Delta maintains a professional, educational, and competitive environment free of discrimination or harassment in any of its activities, including national tournaments or convention activities. If any member of the Pi Kappa Delta community experiences any discrimination or harassment based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status us a uniformed service veteran, or believes that he or she has been treated in an unlawful or discriminatory manner, he or she should report the incident to Pi Kappa Delta’s Compliance Officer or his or her designee who in turn will present the matter to the Practices and Procedures Committee for a complete investigation and appropriate action if necessary.  If a member of the organization feels it is inappropriate to discuss the matter with the Compliance Officer, he or she may report the matter directly to any other member of the Practices and Procedure Committee for investigation.  All complaints shall be kept confidential to the maximum extent possible in order to conduct a fair and thorough investigation. If the Practices and Procedures Committee determines that any member of Pi Kappa Delta has engaged in discrimination or harassment of another member, the Committee will recommend that the President’s Committee impose the Practice and Procedures Committee’s recommended disciplinary action against the offending member, including suspension or termination of the offending member’s affiliation with the organization. Furthermore, Pi Kappa Delta specifically prohibits any form of retaliation against any member of the organization for filling a bona fide complaint under this procedure or assisting in the investigation of any such complaint.  If, however, after investigating a complaint of discrimination or harassment, the Practice and Procedure Committee determines that a complaint was not brought in good faith or that any individual has knowingly provided false information regarding a complaint, the Practice and Procedure Committee may recommend to the President’s Committee that disciplinary action be taken against the individual(s) who filed the complaint and/or provided the information in bad faith. Back to PKD Home