Build good things.
Be good to each other.

Make room for different starting points.

Welcome people across backgrounds, majors and experience levels. Give useful feedback, explain unfamiliar terms and respect a beginner’s first project.

Treat people with respect.

Harassment, threats, discrimination and unwanted attention do not belong in this community. Respect personal boundaries, accessibility needs and requests to stop a conversation or photograph.

Build responsibly.

• Use data, accounts and tools you have permission to use.
• Protect credentials and private information; keep secrets out of repositories and demos.
• Credit teammates, pre-existing work and AI assistance appropriately.
• Check generated outputs and clearly explain what your project can and cannot do.
• Do not target real systems, people or organizations with harmful or unauthorized activity.

Keep the competition fair.

Follow the event’s published submission rules and judging instructions. Disclose material outside work and conflicts to organizers. Final competition criteria are communicated through the event registration updates.

Ask for help early.

Raise concerns with the event organizers or use the community’s organizer support channel. Contact ryan@goldrock.ai or erica.williamson@mtsu.edu. Organizers will review concerns and determine appropriate event action.