The Center’s Code
At Center in the Heights, every student, parent, and instructor should feel as though they are safe and in an environment where they can be true to their core being without fear of discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior. For this reason, Center in the Heights has created a code where students, parents, and instructors agree to be kind and wonderful to each other. The Center’s Code is the core of who we are. Learn, love, and be the amazing human you are!
The guidelines and responsibilities below are limited to activity that occurs at Center in the Heights: 203 W 13th St., Elmira Heights, NY 14903, or at any event where Center in the Heights is participating as an entity and the individuals are participating as a representative of Center in the Heights.
It is important to note that if any behavior rises to the level of a criminal offense and is reported to law enforcement, the guidelines below will not replace an investigation by the appropriate law enforcement entities.
Center in the Height’s (The Center) Responsibilities:
The Center will do its very best to ensure all business and practice within its walls adhere to the Code outlined below.
The Center will ensure each instructor is willing to adhere to and understand the Code as set forth below.
The Center will have at its core that this is a place to teach, learn, practice, and be well, which is free of discrimination, harassment (of any kind), and hateful behavior.
The Center will follow specific, fair, and equitable guidelines when there is a report of discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior. See section “A Report Has Been Made.”
Once a report has been made, the Director of The Center will conduct an appropriate investigation and follow the guidelines set forth below. See “The Investigation is Complete.”
The Center will also do its best to ensure any acts of retribution against any person who reports discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior are met with a swift response.
If The Center receives a report of behavior that arises to the level of criminal behavior.
Most of all, The Center will continue to learn, grow, and strive to progress. It is a place where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome to have training and education free from discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior.
Instructor’s Responsibilities:
Each Instructor at The Center will understand their responsibilities as teachers at The Center and will agree to the Code outlined below.
Each Instructor at The Center will treat each student with respect, equity, and fairness.
If an Instructor at The Center feels as though they are not treated with respect, or experiences discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior, they will report the incident via the Report Form, available to every person associated with The Center in the Heights.
If an Instructor at The Center witnesses any person who is not treated with respect, or experiences discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior, they will report the incident via the Report Form, available to every person associated with The Center in the Heights.
Each Instructor at The Center understands that the Director of The Center will investigate any report made regarding discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior. This includes whether the report is made by the instructor or against the instructor.
Each Instructor at The Center will not, under any circumstances, engage in retribution toward any other instructor or student at The Center when a report has been made (whether the report is against them or a fellow instructor or student).
Each Instructor agrees to follow the guidelines for an environment free from discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior.
Student Responsibilities:
Each Student at The Center will understand their responsibilities as students at The Center and will agree to the Code outlined below.
Each Student at The Center will treat each student and teacher with respect.
Each Student at The Center will expect to be treated with respect, equity, and fairness.
If a Student at The Center feels as though they are not treated with respect, or experiences discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior, they will report the incident via the Report Form, available to every person associated with The Center in the Heights.
If a Student at The Center witnesses any person who is not treated with respect, or experiences discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior, they should feel comfortable to report the incident via the Report Form, available to every person associated with The Center in the Heights.
Each Student at The Center understands that the Director of The Center will conduct the investigation regarding any report made regarding discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior. This includes whether the report is made by a student or against a student.
Each Student at The Center will not, under any circumstances, engage in retribution toward any other instructor or student at The Center when a report has been made (whether the report is against them or a fellow student or instructor).
Each Student agrees to follow the guidelines for an environment free from discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior.
Each Student will expect to be able to learn and grow at The Center in an environment free from discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior.
A Report Has Been Made
The Director of The Center in the Heights (The Director) will follow these specific guidelines when a report of discrimination, harassment (of any kind), or hateful behavior has been made:
Once the report has been made, The Director will contact the reporting individual (if not anonymous) to set a meeting to understand the experience more fully.
If the person who is the recipient of the misconduct (complainant) is not the reporting individual (and not anonymous), The Director will set a meeting to understand the experience fully.
If the identity of the individual who perpetrated the misconduct (respondent) is known, The Director will set a meeting to understand the experience fully.
If the respondent's identity is unknown, The Director will attempt to uncover the identity of the respondent.
Once the meetings are complete, The Director will compile the information as a thorough investigation.
The Investigation is Complete:
The Director will follow these specific guidelines when the investigation of a report of misconduct has been completed:
The Director will gather two neutral instructors (these are instructors who do not have much or any contact with the respondent) at The Center and present the information from the completed investigation. The Director and the two neutral instructors will make up the panel.
Two of the three individuals on the panel must agree that the respondent is either responsible or not responsible for the alleged misconduct.
The Director will then present the following as possible consequences of a respondent found responsible for the alleged misconduct:
Verbal warning regarding the behavior.
Written warning regarding the behavior.
A class on appropriate behavior at The Center.
A written apology from the respondent to the complainant.
The respondent asked to remain off The Center property for a specific duration (with a refund of classes, if applicable).
The respondent asked to remain off The Center Property for a specific duration (without refund of classes, if applicable).
The respondent asked to permanently remain off The Center property (without refund of classes, if applicable).
The Panel will consider the following when determining the appropriate consequences:
If this is the first incident for the respondent.
The severity of the incident.
Remorse displayed during a meeting with Director.
If malintent was the culprit or a lack of understanding in which could be corrected via education.
The complainant's statement to The Director during a meeting.
There will be a written determination from The Panel describing findings and consequences, which will be kept on file for no less than seven years at The Center.