Announcing New Anti-Harassment & Discrimination Policy & Committee

As part of ARNOVA’s ongoing efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, in March 2021, the ARNOVA Board adopted a new Anti-Harassment & Discrimination Policy. 

The Policy outlines expectations for all members and staff of ARNOVA, including those who serve in elected or appointed positions, as well as participants of any ARNOVA events, whether online or in-person, in the U.S. or elsewhere. It reminds all members and participants that professional academic ethics and norms apply as standards of behavior and interaction in the course of all ARNOVA-related activities. 

The Policy was adopted after a more than year-long process that involved a task force creating a draft policy, the board reviewing several iterations, and consultation with a lawyer. Thank you to Erynn Beaton, Abhishek Bhati, Dyana Mason, Roseanne Mirabella, and Angie Eikenberry for serving on that task force!

We encourage all our members and event participants to review the Policy. 

The Policy also outlines the creation of several Ombudsperson positions—to provide guidance, explain options for reporting harassment, and outline the avenues for pursuing a complaint—and a separate and independent Committee to oversee the reporting and complaint process. The Board approved the following members to hold these new positions at its May 2021 Board meeting:

Ombudspersons:

• Elizabeth Dale 
• David Renz
• Elain Jiwon Suh

Committee members:

• Angie Eikenberry, Chair (aeikenberry@unomaha.edu)
• Roseanne Mirabella
• Erynn Beaton
• Tamaki Onishi
• Nuno Themudo

Thanks to these individuals for being willing to serve!

The Committee is interested in polling members and receiving feedback regarding the policy. Please take this very brief, anonymous survey:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R5QNP8R

As noted in the Policy, a new reporting form is also now available at to submit a notice of concern or complaint: https://forms.gle/zrhKmCmG78rLiRqb7

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lynnette Cook, Executive Director.