Effective Date: January 2025

By participating in Knight Hacks VIII held at 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.
• Hazing: Knight Hacks strictly prohibits hazing in any form. No initiation rituals, forced activities, or humiliating tasks will be tolerated, in alignment with UCF’s zero-tolerance policy on hazing.
• Substance Abuse and Illegal Activities: The use of alcohol or illegal drugs is not permitted at Knight Hacks events. Many of our participants are underage, and our events are substance-free to maintain a clear mind for hacking and learning.
• Unsporting Behavior and Cheating: Especially relevant during competitions cheating or sabotaging other teams is unacceptable. This includes plagiarism of another team’s work, willfully tampering with someone else’s project or equipment, or breaking event rules in bad faith.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against anyone who files a report or voices a concern about a Code of Conduct issue is strictly prohibited. Every participant must feel free to speak up about problems without fear of reprisal.

Unacceptable behavior has no place at Knight Hacks. These rules apply in all spaces, whether at an in-person event or offsite. We expect all community members to abide by these rules.

Inclusivity and Accessibility Commitment

Inclusivity is one of the core principles of Knight Hacks. We are committed to ensuring our events and community is accessible to all. We are open to all backgrounds and give equal opportunity to all. Treat everyone with respect and allow for an open atmosphere.

Knight Hacks also aligns with the Major League Hacking Philosophy: Every single person has the right to hack in a safe and welcoming environment. We are continually working to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of our programs. Feedback is welcome on how we can do better.

Enforcement and Reporting Process

We take violations of the Code of Conduct seriously. Enforcement of these rules will be guided by the procedures in UCF’s Golden Rule Student Handbook and by Major League Hacking’s event policies, ensuring a fair and effective process. Below is how Knight Hacks handles reports and enforces this Code.

Reporting a Concern: If you experience or encounter any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, we urge you to report it as soon as possible. Some ways of reporting include:

• Contact Event Organizers
• Online / After-Event Reporting
• MLH Reporting (Hackathon)

We handle all reports of misconduct promptly and confidentially. Knight Hacks organizers will take every report seriously and investigate the situation to the best of our ability. We understand it can be difficult to come forward, we will treat reporters with respect and care. Privacy will always be maintained as well as details of an incident. We will also ensure that no retaliation happens against someone who reports a problem.

Immediate Action: If the situation is urgent, Knight Hacks staff will take swift action to ensure safety. This could include contacting UCF Campus Police, or providing an escort to anyone who feels unsafe. Safety of our participants is a top priority, in an emergency do not hesitate to call 911 or UCF Police.

Consequences for violations: If an individual is found to have violated the Code of Conduct, Knight Hacks organizers will take appropriate action. The exact consequences depend on the severity and nature of the violation:

• Minor Infractions: A formal warning may be issues to the offender, and they will be asked to correct the behavior immediately.
• For more serious infractions or repeated offenses, the person will be black listed from Knight Hacks and MLH. Being disqualified from MLH will disqualify you from any MLH
• certified event and you will not be allowed to attend.

All decisions regarding enforcement will be made by Knight Hacks organizers in consultation, when appropriate, with UCF officials and MLH representatives. Our organizers are committed to fairness, anyone accused of a violation will have a chance to share their perspective as part of the review.

UCF Student Conduct Involvement: Knight Hacks is a Registered Student Organization at UCF, and thus our events and members are subject to University regulations. The UCF Golden Rule Student Handbook provides the overarching framework for student behavior. If a Code of Conduct violation also constitutes a violation of UCF’s policies or the law, the matter may be escalated to the University’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) for formal review. This means that in addition to Knight Hacks’ immediate actions, a violator could face University-level disciplinary proceedings. Such proceedings could result in sanctions as defined by UCF. Knight Hacks will cooperate fully with any University investigations. Our enforcement process is intended to complement, not replace, the UCF conduct process.

Confidentiality and Retaliation: We want reporters and witnesses to feel safe. Knight Hacks will keep the identity of reporters confidential and will not tolerate any retaliation against someone for raising a concern or assisting in an investigation. If you believe you are facing retaliation, please report that as well, it is a separate violation of this Code.

In summary, Knight Hacks is to handle all enforcement in a way that is transparent, just, and aligned with both UCF policy and MLH’s standards. We are committed to resolving issues in a manner that ensures the behavior is corrected and our community remains safe and respectful.

Contact Information

We want everyone to feel comfortable reaching out if there are any issues or questions regarding the Code of Conduct. Below are the contact information and details for reporting concerns or seeking clarification:

• Knight Hacks Club Contacts: For any Code of Conduct issues, questions, or suggestions, you can contact the Knight Hacks executive team. The primary contact is the Knight Hacks President via email at [email protected]. You may also contact any Knight Hacks officer or organizer directly. If you wish to submit a report anonymously, you can do so by not including your name in an email or using any anonymous feedback form we may provide we will still review and address it.
• On-Site Reporting: During events, especially the Hackathon, organizers will make themselves known. You can approach any organizer or volunteer to report an issue. They will assist you or escalate the report to the appropriate lead organizer. We also typically have a designated Wellness or Code of Conduct Officer during the Hackathon. This person’s name and contact will be announced at the start of the event so that you can reach them quickly if needed.
• Major League Hacking (MLH) Contacts: As mentioned, during the Hackathon you have the option to contact MLH directly about any Code of Conduct violation. You can reach MLK's general incident reporting line for North America at +1 (409) 202-6060 or email [email protected].
• University Resources: If you prefer, you can also report incidents through UCF’s official channels. You may contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) for guidance on filing an incident report under the Golden Rule. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is available for reporting any form of discrimination or harassment that falls under university policy. These offices operate independently of Knight Hacks and can provide support or formal investigation if the situation warrants.

Please do not hesitate to use these contacts. We are here to help and ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. Even if you’re unsure whether something is a violation, we welcome you to reach out. We would rather hear from you early so we can assist, than have someone stay silent and uncomfortable.

Remember: Knight Hacks is about community and learning. We can only maintain a great community if we all look out for each other. If you see something, say something. We pledge to do our best to address any issues that arise fairly and transparently.