HackIllinois Complaint Procedures

This document outlines the procedures HackIllinois organizers will follow when a complaint or violation of the Code of Conduct is reported. Our goal is to ensure a fair, transparent, and respectful process for addressing concerns.

Complaints can be submitted by emailing a report to [email protected]. Reports should include:

• A description of the incident (including dates, times, and involved parties).
• Any supporting evidence (e.g., screenshots, witness statements).
• Whether the reporter wishes to remain anonymous.

Upon receiving a report, HackIllinois staff will:

• Confirm receipt of the report within 2 hours (if contact information is provided).
• Notify the reporter of the next steps.

The report will be forwarded to the HackIllinois Code of Conduct Committee, which consists of:

• The HackIllinois co-directors
• The HackIllinois leadership team
• A minimum of two trained staff members

The Committee will review the report and assess whether immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of participants.

The Committee will:

• Interview the reporter (if not anonymous) for additional context
• Speak with any witnesses identified in the report
• Notify the accused individual(s) of the report and provide an opportunity to respond

All information related to the investigation will be handled confidentially, shared only with Committee members and relevant university authorities if necessary.

Once the investigation is complete, the Committee will determine an appropriate course of action. Possible consequences include, but are not limited to:

• A formal warning
• Removal from the event without a refund
• Disqualification from awards or prizes
• Reporting the incident to the UIUC Office for Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR)
• Permanent ban from all future HackIllinois events
• Reporting the incident to the violator’s home institution (if applicable)

If the accused party believes the resolution was unfair, they may submit a written appeal within 24 hours of being notified of the decision. Appeals should be sent to [email protected], where they will be reviewed by an external party (e.g., a university representative, or member of CS Cares).

HackIllinois staff will:

• Notify the reporter of the outcome (within confidentiality limits).
• Provide resources or additional support as necessary (e.g., referral to CS Cares or university counseling services).
• Record the incident in the event’s incident log for future reference.

The above processes will help HackIllinois Leadership in maintaining a safe, inclusive event environment.