{"id":411,"date":"2024-09-18T20:24:44","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T00:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/offices\/emergency-management-and-campus-assistance\/?page_id=411"},"modified":"2025-04-09T15:31:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T19:31:25","slug":"bias-incident-reporting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/offices\/emergency-management-and-campus-assistance\/bias-incident-reporting\/","title":{"rendered":"Bias Incident Reporting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bias Incident Reporting Procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clark University values diversity, inclusion, and an environment free from discriminatory conduct. The University embraces diversity of all kinds and is committed to providing a safe, respectful, educational, and work environment that is free of harassment and intimidation for all members of the Clark community. Clark\u2019s Bias Incident Response Protocol is designed to provide information about reporting bias incidents and\/or hate crimes and to outline the procedures the University will follow in response to reported incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clark takes seriously all acts of bias and\/or hate of which it becomes aware. To that end, the University will respond appropriately by supporting the target(s) of such acts. The response includes assessing reports; conducting an investigation; refer to appropriate department(s) that may initiate a conduct process; and advising the Clark community of the occurrence when appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bias Incident Report Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Graphical<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bias Incident Response Team<\/summary>\n

The Bias Incident Response Team is a team of administrators and faculty who are committed to creating a proactive response to bias incidents. Clark\u2019s Bias Incident Response Team includes the Dean of Students; Director for Residential Life and Housing; Director for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence; Director of Human Resources; Chief of University Police; and Dean of the College.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Bias Incident<\/summary>\n

Any conduct or communication motivated by hatred or prejudice that demeans, degrades, or harasses an individual or group based upon membership in a protected category as recognized by law or Clark University policy, including race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetics, physical or mental disability, and veteran or other protected status. Examples include targeting a group or individual, in person or electronically, with hateful conduct that interferes with a person\u2019s educational experience or employment, as well as acts of vandalism or graffiti. A bias incident may or may not involve violations of University policies or state or federal law.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Discrimination<\/summary>\n

Discrimination is an act or communication that unlawfully interferes with an individual’s or group’s ability to participate fully in the Clark University community on the basis of (1) age, (2) race, (3) color, (4) national origin, (5) religion, (6) sex, (7) sexual orientation, (8) gender identity and\/or expression, (9) marital status, (10) disability, (11) veteran status, (12) pregnancy, (13) genetic information or other legally protected status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hate Crimes<\/summary>\n

Acts constituting hate crimes, as defined by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 22C, Section 32, include \u201cany criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person\u2019s exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation.\u201d For purposes of this protocol, all hate crimes are considered a form of bias incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter 265 Crimes Against the Person \u2013 Section 39 states in relevant part that it is illegal to commit a crime against one\u2019s person or property with the intent to intimidate such person because of such person\u2019s race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Target Person(s)<\/summary>\n

Individuals or groups, who believe or perceive that they have been the victim of a bias incident and\/or hate crime. Any individual or group can be targeted.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Clark University Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy<\/summary>\n

Clark University prohibits harassment\/discrimination based on (but not limited to) age, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, and veteran status. This policy extends to all programs and activities, including admission, education, employment, and athletics.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the role of the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)?<\/summary>\n

The Bias Incident Response Team is a team of administrators and faculty who are committed to creating a proactive response to bias incidents. <\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Who are the members of the BIRT?<\/summary>\n

While specific individuals may change, there will consistently be at least one representative from the Dean of the College (DOC), the Division of Student Success (DSS), Human Resources (HR), and University Police (UP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the incident, the report will be triaged to the appropriate member(s) of the BIRT to act as the lead for response. <\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Who should report a bias incident?<\/summary>\n

Any member of the Clark community who witnesses, experiences, or has information regarding a bias incident should immediately report the incident. In the incident of a hate crime (see definition in section above), university police may be involved in accordance with Massachusetts general law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Why should I report?<\/summary>\n

Reporting is important even if the offending party or parties cannot be identified. The BIRT utilizes the data received to inform policies throughout the Clark community. Each semester, the BIRT will assess and analyze the incidents reported in order to strategize on how to better serve the needs of bias and discrimination impacting the Clark community. Any trends that are evident could prompt recommendations on education, programming, and\/or changes in university policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

What will I be asked to provide in the report?<\/summary>\n

You will be asked to provide a detailed account of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following are often included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n