Bias Reporting

Relevant Excerpt

The Bias Response Protocol (B.R.P.) provides the College with wide-ranging means for addressing incidents of bias that fall below the status of hate crime or violation of MCLA policy. In an effort to continue to create a safe and welcoming environment for all, the Chief Diversity Officer, and the Special Assistant to the VP of Student Affairs and Interim IX Coordinator monitor any trends related to bias incidents, and develops strategies to inform and educate the campus.

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What is a Hate or Bias Incident? - A hate or bias incident occurs when behaviors (verbal or non-verbal) by an individual or group are perceived to be malicious (hate) or discriminatory (bias) toward another individual or group based on actual or perceived characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or any situation in which inter-group tensions exist based on such group characteristics.

Hate and bias acts may be violations of criminal law, such as hate crimes. All hate crimes are considered bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are considered hate crimes.

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What is the process after a bias report is submitted?

All reports of bias will be directed to Dean for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Student Wellness, Patrick Connelly as well as Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, Chief Diversity Officer.

They will make a decision whether to involve other individuals and/or offices, using the following questions, for example, as guidance:

• Does the bias incident involve actual or potential violence, or a significant actual or potential disruption to the College?
• Does the bias incident involve multiple people and/or actions that affect multiple people directly?
• Are there individuals that require immediate emotional support?
• Is there continuous and on-going bias behavior occurring?
• Do other circumstances exist that would compel others to be involved and to convene?

Bias incidents that do not require immediate notification will be forwarded to the team for informational purposes with the possibility for follow up, if necessary.

Information presented to any individual and/or office will be handled confidentially, to the greatest extent possible, and to the extent permitted by law.