Report Bias: Frequently Asked Questions

Relevant Excerpt

A bias incident is an act or behavior consciously or unconsciously motivated by the offender’s bias against facets of another’s identity. As stated in the University’s Equal Opportunity Policy, these facets include: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status. Bias may be directed toward an individual or group. Bias may contribute to creating an unsafe / unwelcoming environment.

The expression of an idea or point of view some may find offensive or inflammatory is not necessarily a bias-related incident. Wake Forest values freedom of expression and the open exchange of ideas. The expression of controversial ideas and differing views is a vital part of University discourse. While this value of openness protects controversial ideas, it does not protect harassment or expressions of bias or hate aimed at individuals that violate University policies, including, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct and the University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

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Is there any accountability?

When the Bias Review Group receives a report, it directs the report to the appropriate office for investigation and resolution in accordance with the applicable University policy, including HR, Student Conduct, and Title IX.

In many instances – when bias-related acts are committed anonymously and individuals cannot be held accountable to University policies, or even when a policy has not been broken but a community member has experienced harm — the Bias Review Group can still assess avenues to minimize or eliminate the likelihood of future harm and provide educational outreach.