Bias Incident Report

1. Who can report a bias incident?
   Any members of the MIAD community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, or parents/family. Reports may be made anonymously, though this limits the response taken.
2. What are examples of bias incidents?
   Incidents of bias can include, but are not limited to, defacement of posters or signage, intimidating comments or messages, vandalism to personal or college property, microaggressions, slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, vandalism, intimidation, symbols, assault and harassment.
3. What happens after a report is shared?
   All reports will be reviewed by the Director of Inclusivity who will, in consultation with appropriate leadership, make an initial determination of how to proceed. The Director may opt to convene the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT), in full or in part, in the event of a large-scale or disruptive incident.

    

   All reporting individuals will be informed about supportive resources available to them. Reporters who allege violations of college policy or applicable laws will be informed of processes and additional resources.

   Response to bias incident reports is dependent on several factors, including the nature and severity of the complaint, the reporting individual’s wishes, the overall effect on the community, and the college’s obligations under law. Immediate measures may be taken if a student is found to be making a threat of harm to themselves or others.

4. Will the person I reported be in trouble?
   Not necessarily. The primary purpose of the Bias Incident Reporting process is to identify issues of prejudice and intolerance on campus and to provide resources for both the reporter and any alleged perpetrator. This process is designed to be restorative and not punitive – the college’s judicial and grievance policies are best suited for that task.  Regardless of the situation, when you are concerned about someone’s well-being you should notify the college.
5. What help is available for targeted individuals who experience bias?
   Targeted individuals may need immediate support. Student Services offers counseling and consultation.

    

   The Resource Center for Equity and Inclusion offers web, print, and in-person resources for responding to bias.

   Targeted individuals are encouraged to report the incident. If follow-up is requested, a college employee will contact them to provide support and resources.

Campus climate
Interchangeable with “campus culture”; refers to the current attitudes, behaviors, and standards of all employees, students, and guests of the college concerning the level of respect for individual needs, abilities, and potential.

Hate Crime
A hate crime is a violent manifestation of intolerance and prejudice, intended to hurt and intimidate, committed against a person, property, or community that is motivated by an offender’s bias against a specific characteristic.

Hate crimes are criminal offenses that include acts such as physical assault, stalking, cyberstalking, criminal threatening, intimidation, terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, arson, vandalism or damage to property, reckless conduct, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or hate mail. Not all bias incidents are hate crimes, but all hate crimes are bias incidents.

Sex Discrimination
Sex discrimination is defined as making a distinction in favor of, or against, a person on the basis of gender rather than on individual merit that deprives a person of the ability to participate in or benefit from the college’s education program or activities. MIAD prohibits all forms of sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. For further details, please see MIAD Sexual Offense Policy and Procedure Guidelines.