Code of Conduct Overview

To keep PHAME a safe and respectful place, we expect everyone to follow PHAME’s Code of Conduct. This applies when you’re in class (both online and in person), on the PHAME campus, at rehearsals, community events, performances, or any other PHAME-related activities. 

The Code of Conduct applies to PHAME students and staff, and to any support people or family members who come with students.  

All students must sign the Code of Conduct to participate in PHAME activities.

How to Review and Sign the Code of Conduct

Students have two options for reviewing and signing the Code of Conduct:

• Option 1: You can watch a video where PHAME Education Manager Laura reads it aloud.

• Option 2: You can read it yourself.

Each option includes a step where you will “sign” your name to confirm you agree to follow the Code of Conduct. Select the option that works best for you!

Scroll down to read the full Code of Conduct on this page—and to find links to some excellent resources.

Full Code of Conduct with Links to Resources

Below is the full Code of Conduct. It has two main sections: “Expectations for Students” and “Prohibited Activities.” After that you’ll find brief information about student conflicts, social media, and how to let us know if you see something unsafe at PHAME.

We’ve also included links to video resources that students might find helpful. Check them out!

Expectations for Students 

Students are expected to do their best to follow these expectations: 

• Be Kind to Everyone, Including Yourself: 
  Treat others and yourself with kindness and respect.   

  • Resource: How to be kind

• Respect People’s Differences: 
  Be considerate of other people’s culture, opinions, feelings, personal space, and needs. Use the name and pronouns that people prefer. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask. 

  • Resource: How to be respectful

• Ask for Permission (Practice Consent): 
  Always ask before touching someone and respect their answer if they say "no." Respect people’s boundaries by being careful about physical contact and sensitive topics. Communicate your own boundaries clearly and respect others’ boundaries. 

  • Resource: What is consensual touch?

  • Resource: Where to go when uncomfortable

• Participate Fully: 
  Join in activities and try your best. 

• Be Self-Aware: 
  Think about how your actions affect others and the PHAME environment. 

• Dress Appropriately: 
  Make sure the private areas of your body are covered. If you are taking movement classes, wear clothes that are comfortable and allow you to move your body.  

• Be Open to Learning: 
  It’s okay to make mistakes. Try new things and be patient with others as they do the same. Ask questions if you don’t understand something or need help. 

• Respect the Space: 
  Clean up after yourself and take care of equipment and furniture. 

• Help Keep PHAME Healthy: 
  Stay home if you’re sick. Come to PHAME clean, wash your hands often, and avoid wearing perfumes or colognes (some people are sensitive to the smell). 

Stay home if you have medical conditions that may endanger others, including fever, open wounds, skin rashes, and infectious or easily communicable diseases, infections, or topical parasites. 

• Bring Support If You Need It: 

PHAME does not help with personal care tasks. If you need help with any of these things, please bring a support person with you: 

• Taking your medicine, eating, or using the restroom. 

• Moving around, like pushing a wheelchair up a ramp or helping you get into or out of a chair. 

• Using special medical equipment. 

• Getting help with American Sign Language (ASL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) interpretation. 

• Having someone with you all the time for supervision. 

• Knowing if you can leave the campus. Since the campus is open, our staff cannot stop you from leaving. 

Prohibited Activities 

These actions are not allowed and can lead to probation, suspension or expulsion: 

• Bullying: 
  Repeatedly trying to hurt or control someone with mean actions, words, or threats. 

  • Resource: What is bullying?

• Harassment: 
  Constantly bothering someone with unwanted behavior or comments that make them feel unsafe. 

  • Resource: What is harassment?

• Unwelcome Touch and Attention: 
  Any physical contact or attention that someone doesn’t want or finds uncomfortable. 

  • Resource: What is personal space?

• Lies and Rumors: 
  Spreading false information or gossip to hurt someone. Falsely accusing someone of breaking a rule or doing harm.

• Weapons: 
  Bringing objects like guns or knives that can cause harm to PHAME students or staff. 

• Threats:  
  Making threats or intimidating others. This includes saying or doing things that make people feel unsafe. 

• Discrimination: 
  Treating someone unfairly because of their race, gender, disability, or other personal characteristics. 

  • Resource: What is Discrimination?

• Drugs and Alcohol: 
  PHAME is a drug-free, alcohol-free, and nicotine-free campus. Everyone is expected to be sober and not under the influence of any substances. 

• Harming Property: 
  Deliberately damaging or destroying someone else’s belongings, PHAME equipment, or campus property. 

• Stealing: 
  Taking things that belong to someone else without permission. 

• Sexual Activities 

  Any inappropriate, unwanted, or non-consensual sexual behavior. This includes making unwanted advances, touching, or other sexual actions. Public displays of affection (PDA), like prolonged embracing, kissing, or inappropriate touching, are not allowed. Touching yourself in a sexual way is also not allowed. 

  • Resource: Explanation of sex and sexual behaviors

  • Resource: Telling about sexual abuse

Conflicts Between Students 

Sometimes students have disagreements outside of PHAME activities, on the phone, over email, on social media, or in person. PHAME cannot mediate conflicts that happen outside our programs. Students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct even if they have a current conflict or disagreement with another student that occurred outside of PHAME. 

If conflicts happen during PHAME activities, we will work to resolve them and restore positive interactions. If problems continue, PHAME may separate students in classes, activities, and events to keep a constructive environment. 

• Resource: Managing Anger

A Note About Social Media 

It’s important to be respectful of each other, even when we’re not at PHAME. This includes on social media platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok and Instagram. PHAME staff is not responsible for correcting behavior that happens outside on social media. 

• Resource: Online Safety

Reporting Problems at PHAME 

If you see or experience something that makes you feel unsafe, or if you witness a prohibited activity happening at PHAME, please let us know. You can talk to any PHAME staff member, or you can fill out a report at phamepdx.org/report.  

Questions?

Please contact
Alex Geffel (ageffel@phamepdx.org) if you have any questions.