Rules

Before for DataFest

  • We will be communicating with all participants using Slack; please sign up using the following link.
  • Wireless Internet access will be provided through the eduroam network at UMass. Please make sure to configure eduroam at your home institution before DataFest!
  • Bring a laptop that has at least 1 GB of disk space on it for the data.
  • Pre-install all the software you will use.
  • While a certain number of power strips will be provided, if you own one it is a good idea to bring it.
  • We will provide coffee, tea, water, and snacks while meals will be catered at specific times. Feel free to bring anything additional you might want, including your own coffee mug and water bottle.

During DataFest

Basic personal conduct

  • You may come and go as you please, but you are not allowed to work on the data outside of the Public Health building.
  • This is a friendly competition. You’re welcome (and encouraged) to talk to other participants, but don’t steal their ideas!
  • Do not create any posts on social media that include information about the data. This is a nationwide event held at dozens of different institutions until the weekend of May 2–4th.
  • Five College students must carry a student ID from one of the Five Colleges at all times.

Code of Conduct

As the organizers of this event, we are committed to making participation in this course a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of level of experience, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, personal appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, or religion. Examples of unacceptable behavior by participants in this course include the use of sexual language or imagery, derogatory comments or personal attacks, deliberate misgendering or use of “dead” names, trolling, public or private harassment, insults, or other unprofessional conduct.

As the organizers we have the right and responsibility to point out and stop behavior that is not aligned to this Code of Conduct. Participants who do not follow the Code of Conduct may be reprimanded for such behavior. Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported by contacting the organizers.

Important

All participants, organizers, VIP consultants and judges are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct in all settings for this event, including over Slack.

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 1.0.0, available here.

Internet

Wireless access is available through a guest account on the UMass network.

Please use the eduroam network. You must configure this at your home institution before DataFest.

If you can’t access eduroam, connect to the UMASS SSID then follow the prompts for the Guest Access login. You will need your phone to accept a code via SMS text message. Once you enter the code you will have to turn off then back on WiFi and then you should be connected.

VIP Consultants

At all times there will be friendly Consultants present. These are faculty, grad students, local data professionals, or other professionals with field-specific knowledge of the dataset. They all have different areas of expertise, so if you get stuck on something, ask someone else later. Feel free to ask anything; this is not an exam, but a collaborative competition. Do not expect the Consultants to write code for you, or do data management, etc. They are there to help point you in the right direction, but you are responsible for getting there on your own.

Communication

We will be using Slack for announcements, questions, troubleshooting, and other feedback. Please join the Five College DataFest Slack team at: https://asafivecolleg-j0i8308.slack.com

Do not reveal any clues about the data itself on social media, since other DataFests will take place later in the semester.

After DataFest

At the end of DataFest, delete all data from thumb drives, hard drives, etc. The data are sensitive. This is a condition that the data’s provider put on DataFest for using their data!!

Warning

You must delete all data after DataFest!!