Research team leaders and team members must review all of the information within this webpage.

At the verification, you must compete the brief survey.  Once complete, you will receive an email verifying you have completed these requirements. Thank you for reviewing this information.

Contents

 

1.  Expectations

2.  Education

3.  Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint

4.  Reporting

 

5.  Resources

6.  Verification

7.  Follow-up

 

 

Expectations

The following MSU policies shall be reviewed by all members of the research team prior to departure based on the individual's role at the University.  Please keep in mind that other expectations may be outlined by the Research Team Leader or the Department. 

For All

For Students

For Employees

Additional MSU Policies

The MSU Policy and Procedures page contains other polices that may be of interest. While not required for review, this is a link to other policies that may impact you or others.

 

 

Education

Employees - Required

  • Mandatory Reporter Training/Title IX Training
    • This training is required every 2 years for all employees. If you have completed within the last 2 years, you do not have to complete again.  If you have questions as to if you have completed, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at [email protected] or 406-994-2042.
  • Bystander Intervention and Field Safety
    • This video was developed by the Center for Faculty Excellence. Dr. Madison Myers presents information about Bystander Intervention Training and Building a more extensive field safety guide. Meredith Knowles contributed to the content.

Students and Others - Required

Optional Trainings/Education

 

 

Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint

TEAM LEADERS ONLY

The Team Leader must develop a Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint and distribute it to all members of the Research Team prior to departure.  This step is the responsibility of the Research Team Leader and may be combined with other plans already implemented or required for other purposes.  The resources below are available to assist Team Leaders in plan development.

If team members join the team after initial distribution, it is the Team Leader's responsibility to confirm the new members have completed the requirements of this institutional plan and have received a copy of the Blueprint prior to departure.

Minimum Requirements of a Blueprint

A Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint should address these items:

  • Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, and disorderly will not be tolerated and how it will be addressed if it does occur.
  • Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form is not acceptable and how it will be addressed if it does occur.
  • Detailed information about location of the team during the trip and unique challenges for the team presented due to the off-site nature of the research.
  • Types and availability of communication mechanisms and how a team member can access these mechanisms.
  • Who on the trip is a Mandatory Reporter for Title IX purposes.
  • The organizational mechanisms that will be used to address behavioral concerns or instances of unwanted or unwelcome behaviors
  • Contact information for local emergency medical personnel.
  • Type and method of post trip evaluation and debrief.
  • How team members can report concern or discomfort during and after the trip.

Have you thought about...

  • How might you develop a safer environement for your Team?
  • What communication in advance of the trip might be helpful in addressing concerns during the trip?
  • How can you set the expectations in advance surrounding inclusivity?
  • Do you have emergency information and contact information for your team members?
  • How can you minimize conflict and set expectations about communication, roles, culture, and responsibilities?

NSF Requirement

Note:  NSF directorates such as BIO and GEO have additional requirements which can be found here: Safe and Inclusive Working Environments Pilot Programs

Best Practices and Sample Documents

These documents and resources are presented as samples and guides you might consider:

Team Leader Responsibility

The Team Leader must:

  • Develop the Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint.
  • Distribute the Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint to all members of the Team. This includes any future members unknown at this time, who will participate in off-campus research.
  • In Office of Sponsored Program's Electronic Proposal Clearance Form (ePCF), submit their verification email as a miscellaneous attachment.
  • Confirm that all members of the Team have reviewed this website and submitted verification prior to allowing members to participate in off-campus research.

Although not required by this institutional plan, it is highly recommended that the Team Leader submit the Blueprint to their department head.

Need Help?

A team of experts is available to assist you. They can answer questions and provide advice.

Get Help

 

 

Reporting

All team members should know how to make reports to MSU.   The link below contains ways to report concerns by any team member.

Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form or conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent obscene or disorderly maybe reported through mechanisms found here: 

Report a concern

 

 

Resources

These resources must be reviewed by each team member.  Some of these resources are specifically designed to be easily printed and taken to off-campus and off-site research locations where internet may not exist.

Physical Safety Resources

  • MSU Outdoor Recreation - rental equipment, classes, clinics, bear safety, avalanche workshop, packing lists, and more.
  • MSU Safety and Risk - incident and accident reporting, insurance information, vehicle safety, chemical safety, and more.

Discrimination, Harassment and Behavioral Resources

For All

Rights and Reporting Options (montana.edu)

This document describes reporting options for individuals who may have experienced sexual violence, protected class discrimination, harassment or retaliation. It provides resources around impacts these experience my have on an individual such as 24-hour support line, counseling, legal law enforcement and MSU information.

VOICE Center

The MSU VOICE Center provides free and confidential services and information for all people impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment; including friends, family, and loved ones of survivors. Advocates are available 24-hours a day to provide confidential support, information, and discuss different options.

Diversity and Inclusion Resources

MSU Health Advancement (Alcohol & Drug Assistance Center, Food Pantry, Travel Health resources) 

For Students

For Employees

Employee Assistance Program 

Resources for employees as part of the CHOICES benefits plan.  This resources provides a 24-hour Crisis Help line, in-person counseling and online consultations with licenesed couselors for free or little cost.

 

 

Verification

By completing this form, you verify you have reviewed this information and completed the required trainings.  This institutional plan may be supplemented by additional information, communications, and education as determined necessary by the Research Team Leader.

Once you complete the form, you will receive an email confirmation.

Verification Form

 

 

Follow-up

All team members may receive an email within a year of completing this verification that will inquire about their experience during their off-campus or off-site research experience. 

The data collected will be used to assess the institutional plan and may lead to changes by MSU in how this plan is administered to best serve our research community. 

In addition, feedback may be used to improve individual research program's Communication, Response, and Safety Blueprint and implementation of the Blueprint.