Bias Education and Resource Team (BERT)

Relevant Excerpt

What is the Scope and Charge of the Bias Education and Resource Team (BERT)?

The fundamental role of the BERT is to address the impact of incidents of bias and related community concerns on Tufts University campuses by:

 Recommending educational programming and resources for the community in collaboration with staff in the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, Office of Equal Opportunity, Division of Student Diversity Inclusion, University Chaplaincy, and Divisions of Student Affairs.
Developing community dialogue and/or healing space for impacted community members after bias incident occurs.

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At Tufts, an incident of bias is defined as a violation of University policy and/or federal or state law that is motivated by bias against an individual or group's membership in a protected category: race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression (including a transgender identity), veteran status, genetics, retaliation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. The role of the BERT is to address the impact of incidents of bias and related community concerns on Tufts’ campuses. This work is separate and distinct from processes at the University for reporting, investigating, adjudicating, and/or sanctioning incidents, including violations of Tufts’ Non-Discrimination Policy and/or hate crimes. (See “Does the BERT Investigate Incidents or Issue Sanctions?”.) In light of its particular scope and charge, the BERT works to address the impact of both proven violations of University policy and/or federal or state law, as well as perceived or potential violations, which may also impact the Tufts community.