Effective Date: January 2025

By joining Knight Hacks held the University of Central Florida (UCF), participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Our mission is to create a welcoming and productive environment where innovation thrives through mutual respect and collaboration.

Knight Hacks is the University of Central Florida’s largest software development club and Hackathon, dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive, and innovative community. This code of conduct outlines the standards of behavior expected at all Knight Hacks events and in all community spaces. It applies to all participants, members, attendees, mentors, volunteers, sponsors and organizers across every activity. These activities include our annual 36-hour Hackathon, our weekly workshops, Kickstart mentorship program, Project Launch program, social events, and online platforms.

By participating in any Knight Hacks event, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct. Our goal is to ensure a welcoming environment where everyone can learn, build, and have fun while maintaining professionalism and respect for others. This Code of Conduct goes hand in hand with the UCF Golden Rule Student Handbook and the Major League Hacking (MLH)  Code of Conduct, which serve as foundational guidelines for policies as an organization. We strive to maintain a community welcoming tone in all that we do, while enforcing these rules formally and consistently

Expected Behavior

All Knight Hacks members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful and positive manner. We ask everyone to help us create a friendly and encouraging environment. Expected behavior includes:

• Be Respectful: Treat others with respect, using welcoming and inclusive language. Acknowledge the contributions and ideas of others, even if they differ from your own. Healthy, constructive debate is welcome, but personal attacks or insults are not acceptable. Always strive to be kind, courteous, and in the spirit of collaboration.
• Embrace the UCF Creed and Values: Act with integrity, honesty, and fairness. Uphold the tenets of the UCF Creed in your behavior. This means supporting another's learning, working together as a community, encouraging creativity and pursuing excellence in all activities.
• Practice Inclusivity: Welcome newcomers, beginners, and people of all backgrounds. Help create an environment where everyone belongs. We patient and offer guidance to those who are less experienced and celebrate the diversity of skills and perspectives in our community.
• Collaborate: Hackathons and workshops are social events and are cooperative by nature. Share knowledge, assist others, and foster teamwork. Encourage your fellow hacks and help each other grow.

By following these guidelines, you contribute to and everything Knight Hacks stands for. We thank you for being a part of this community and upholding these rules.

Unacceptable behavior

The following behaviors are considered unacceptable at Knight Hacks and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. This Code of Conduct strictly prohibits:

• Harassment and Discrimination: Any form of harassment or discrimination is forbidden. This includes offensive verbal or written comments related to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sex or sexual orientation, age, religion or non-religion, disability, any other personal characteristic. Slurs, derogatory jokes, hate speech, or stereotyping are unacceptable.
• Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct: Unwelcome sexual attention or advances, inappropriate touching, sexual remarks, or any sexually suggestive behavior is prohibited. This includes sexualized comments about someone’s appearance, deliberate unwelcome flirting after being asked to stop, or sharing sexual images or materials in public spaces. Participants should not use sexualized imagery, costumes, or graphics in projects, presentations, or event activities.
• Bullying, Threats, and Intimidation: Any form of bullying, stalking, following someone, or deliberately intimidating behavior is unacceptable. This includes sustained disruption of talks or workshops, purposeful intimidation or coercion, and threats of any kind. No attendee should fear for their safety or feel targeted at our events. Actions that could reasonably cause someone to feel afraid, demeaned, or excluded are not allowed.
• Offensive or Violent Behavior: Physical violence or threats of violence are strictly prohibited. Absolutely no fighting, unwanted physical contact, or real weapons are allowed at events. Additionally, any overly hostile or aggressive behavior that disrupts the event or puts others in harm’s way is forbidden.
• Hate Speech and Hate Symbols: Any display or advocacy of racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ablest, or otherwise hateful messaging is banned. This includes symbols, signs, or images that are widely associated with hate or intolerance.
• Invasion of Privacy: Respect others’ privacy and personal space. Do not photograph, screenshot, or record someone without permission, especially in a context where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• Disruptive Conduct: Do not disrupt presentations, talks, or other activities. This includes incessant heckling of speakers, interrupting workshop instructors repeatedly, or playing loud audio that interferes with others’ ability to participate.