preamble
With this code of conduct, the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen ( THM ) undertakes to comply with the principles of appreciative, respectful interaction with one another and cooperative behavior with one another. This code of conduct supplements the principles of the mission statement: "Motivation, Quality, Agility and Diversity".

Behavior that runs counter to the principle of cooperative behavior in the sense of the guiding values ​​will not be tolerated. In the event of violations, THM reserves the right to intervene and take appropriate measures in accordance with internal anti-discrimination guidelines and the applicable house rules.

scope
In 2006, the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) came into force. In 2014, the promotion of diversity was included as a further task in the Hessian Higher Education Act (HHG).

In accordance with the provisions of the General Equal Treatment Act, this code of conduct applies to all university members and staff and guests of the THM .

General principles of cooperation
The THM values ​​friendly and constructive interaction among its university members and guests. The learning and teaching atmosphere is characterized by respect, appreciation, trust and the recognition of diversity. This cooperation of appreciative communication promotes motivation and ensures the high quality of teaching and research at our university. The principles are also applied in the service and administration departments and departments. The THM consciously promotes the participation of all university members and their guests and does not tolerate their exclusion. The focus here is on identifying, naming and eliminating disadvantageous mechanisms.

discrimination
Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated, particularly in relation to the following features/categories worthy of protection:

  • Ethnic Origin
  • religion and/or belief
  • disability and/or serious illness
  • gender
  • sexual identity
  • Age
  • Social background
  • marital status
  • outer appearance

THM understands discrimination as any form of disadvantage based on one of the characteristics/categories worthy of protection mentioned above. Discrimination is independent of intention; What matters is whether unequal treatment due to a (usually) irrelevant characteristic entails disadvantages for university members and guests.
In general, discrimination occurs when equals are treated unequally.
Discrimination can also exist when people with unequal qualifications are treated equally. An example of this is the need to compensate for disadvantages for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.

Violations of the Code of Conduct
All university members and staff and guests of the THM who act contrary to the principles of the code of conduct must expect the consequences of their actions, which are laid down in the anti-discrimination guidelines and the house rules of the university.

In particular, the following behavior is not tolerated:

  • Sexualized communication and violence, or sexual harassment
  • Stalking, bullying and/or violation of personal rights
  • denial of accessibility
  • Both verbal and non-verbal and/or physical violence, assaults
  • Racist attacks, disparagements, exclusion and insults
  • Unequal treatment and/or denial of compensation for disadvantages
  • Political radical statements (Hitler salute, IS propaganda etc.)

Offers for those affected
The THM provides the following structures, which preventively serve to avoid conflicts or solve existing conflicts constructively.

Affected university members and staff and guests can contact the following contact points: