Bath University Model United Nations Society (BathMUN) 

2024-25 Code of Conduct 

Table of contents: 

1. Society Aims 

2. Code of Conduct 

3. Discipline and Adherence to the Conduct 

BathMUN Code of Conduct 

Society Aims: 

The primary goal of BathMUN is enjoyment of the delegates and creation of a healthy forum for discussion among our members. We take member behaviour seriously during both debate and socials due to the sensitive topics we discuss and the often complex nature of our debates. This Code of Conduct, our Sensitive Topics Policy and our Welfare and Inclusivity Policy outline our commitment to our members.

Code of Conduct: 

This section will outline the Code of Conduct of the society, it will be outlined in clauses and subclauses, so that violations can be pointed out easily. Subclauses may state a further rule or elaborate on the parent clause. Courtesy clauses will also be included, these are not serious if violated but generally advise good practice among members. 

1. Direct and indirect discrimination as well as harassment will not be tolerated. 

   1. Direct discrimination occurs when a person treats one person less favourably than they would another because of a protected characteristic.

   2. Discrimination by perception or association (such as unconscious biases and stereotyping etc.) is treated the same as direct discrimination. 

   3. A provision, criterion or practice is discriminatory even if it is neutral in the face of it, if its impact can particularly disadvantage people with a protected characteristic. 

   4. Harassment is defined as any words, behaviour, or treatment which makes a person, or a group feel scared, threatened, intimidated, or otherwise unwelcome. 

   5. Harassment comprises the following 

      1. Unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the complainant, or violating the complainant’s dignity    

      2. Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature 

      3. Treating a person less favourably than another person due to actions  

      4. Sexual harassment or harassment related to sex or gender identity. 

         1. Sexual harassment also includes online harassment and unwanted advances towards people.

   6. Protected characteristics are in line with the 2010 Equalities Act and are as follows along with terms commonly used to describe them 

      1. Age, ageism 

      2. Disability, ableism 

      3. Gender identity, transphobia 

      4. Marriage and Civil Partnerships 

      5. Race, racism 

      6. Religion or lack thereof, islamophobia, anti-semitism etc. 

      7. Sex, misogyny and misandry and discrimination against non-binary people. 

      8. Sexual orientation, homophobia, biphobia etc. 

   7. Although they are not protected characteristics, we will not tolerate unfair treatment of somebody due to personal lifestyle choices, for example, whether they drink alcohol. 

2. BathMUN takes a no tolerance approach to bullying. Bullying is defined by the University of Bath as behaviour which undermines the integrity and confidence of a person or a group of people, causing them to feel vulnerable, humiliated, degraded, offended, or frightened. This can involve a misuse of power which can be considered as a position of authority, physical strength, knowledge, social position, or capital and / or the power to coerce through fear, threats, blackmail, and intimidation. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social and can be conducted openly or in a secretive manner. It is not limited to actions against those with a protected characteristic. Bullying includes but is not limited the following actions: 

   1. Spreading rumours, public ridicule or insulting, sarcastic or humiliating comments/behaviour, ignoring, refusing to communicate or cooperate (stonewalling). 

   2. Constant criticism without constructive support. 

   3. Overbearing supervision or other misuse of power or position 

   4. Unfair allocation of opportunities within the society. 

   5. Gaslighting - i.e., psychologically manipulating somebody by instilling doubt in them to make them question their own memory, perception, thinking and reality. 

3. BathMUN takes a no tolerance approach to racism, sexual misconduct, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and ableism. 

4. Large parts of the BathMUN Welfare and Inclusivity outline how to avoid unintentional discrimination, stereotyping and unconscious biases. As well as positive advice relating to inclusivity and allyship. This should also be considered when adhering to the code of conduct. 

5. Offences towards the code of conduct will also be recognised and dealt with if they occur online between members, during events related to MUN. This includes society messaging groups.  

6. BathMUN acknowledges that there will often be Model UN specific scenarios where further elaboration is required pertaining to conduct during debates. This will be outlined in our sensitive topics policy. Below are some general rules that members should adhere to: 

   1. Do not treat the view of the nation you are representing as though they are your own. 

   2. In the event that a member is representing diplomatic views that would otherwise violate the code of conduct, they should treat the views as neutrally as possible and avoid conflating themselves or other members with the views. 

   3. When representing views that would otherwise violate the code of conduct, members should maintain strictly diplomatic language outlined in the sensitive topics policy. 

Discipline and Adherence to the Conduct: 

Adherence to this code of conduct is a condition of membership to the society. Any member who fails to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary proceedings in line with the SUBath Members Disciplinary Policy. The policy can be found here. 

1. If the committee consider considers the infraction of either the society code of conduct, SU code of conduct or University code of conduct then verbal action should be taken with the aim of resolving the issue informally. 

2. Beyond this, any violation will involve to the SU and University’s Support and Report system. This will appear different depending on what has occurred during the time. This is not an escalation of an offence, but utilising professional help where needed to deal with particularly complex scenarios.