Reporting an Incident
There are several ways to report a bias incident.
СÓÅÊÓƵampa Non-Discrimination Statement
¸é±ð²¹»åÌýСÓÅÊÓƵampa's Notice of Non-Discrimination.
СÓÅÊÓƵ fosters a campus culture that is supportive and promotes student success and persistence through the core goals of the Bias Education Resource Team, including:
- Creating a learning environment that encourages open dialogue and supports unique perspectives and values;
- Recognizing and addressing the varied needs of student populations; and
- Providing programs and services that foster mutual respect and support student success.
About BERT
TheÌýBias Education Resource Team (BERT)Ìýis a group of University employees who provide support and resourcesÌýto those individuals who have been targeted or impacted by an act of bias. The role of BERT is to offer impacted community members a space to have their voice heard, opportunities for education to mitigate or prevent similar occurrences in the future and to ensure a comprehensive and timely response to bias incidents. Collectively, this will lead to positive change for both the individual and the campus climate.
BERT is intended to educate the СÓÅÊÓƵampa community and support those who experience bias and harassment. BERT is a support and resource campus entity, not a governing body.
BERT does not replace existing University protocols (i.e. Student Conduct, Academic Integrity and Campus Safety).
Contact BERT
Report all bias-related incidents one of three ways.
Ìý— commonly used for bias-related incidents that involved a violation of the Student Code of Conduct
— commonly used for bias-related incidents that do not involve a violation of the Student Code of Conduct but may require support directly for the persons affected.
EmailÌý—ÌýContact us with questions, comments and to report bias-related incidents atÌýaccess@ut.edu
- Office of Access and Community Programs -ÌýDr. Lorie Kittendorf
- Office of Student Affairs -ÌýShannon Calega
- Office of Operations -ÌýDebra Tritt
- Department of Campus Safety -ÌýSam Ponce
- Office of Student Leadership and Engagement -ÌýTim Harding
- Office of Residence Life -ÌýSarah Hart
- Counseling Services -ÌýNatalie Laboy
- Office of Communications and Public Affairs -ÌýBrianna Kwasnik
- Office of Student Conduct -ÌýTimothy Nelson
- Human Resources -ÌýKelsey San Antonio
- College of Business -ÌýCagdas Agirdas
- College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education -ÌýErin Koterba
- College of Natural and Health Sciences -ÌýRebecca Waggett
- College of Arts and Letters -ÌýVanessa Rukholm
- Wellness -ÌýGina Firth
- Athletics -ÌýTaylor Gillie
- Enrollment Management -ÌýArt Goon
What is bias?
BiasÌýis a pre-formed negative opinion or attitude toward an individual or a group of individuals who possess perceived common characteristics such as sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic.
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What is a bias incident?
AÌýbias incidentÌýis anÌýactÌýdirected toward an individual or group based upon actual or perceived common characteristics, as defined by the termÌýbiasÌýabove. A bias incident can constitute discrimination. These acts can create an unsafe or hostile environment or have a negative psychological, emotional or physical effect on an individual, group or community. Bias incidents may occur regardless of whether the act is legal, illegal, intentional or unintentional.
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The severity of a bias incident, and the University’s response to these incidents, can vary based on factors including location, context and behavior, pre-meditation and whether the incident presents an impact to the University community. Any University response will follow University processes established as applicable.
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How does this impact my freedom of speech?
The Bias Education Resource Team was not created to silence community members nor hinder on their right to free speech. The goal of the team is to encourage productive and respectful dialogue amongst community members across their areas of difference.Ìý
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How does this impact my academic freedom as a faculty member?
The Bias Education Resource Team intends to help both students and faculty find language that will help them in engaging in challenging conversations both in and outside of the classroom. We recognize the classroom is the primary place for learning in our community and encourage faculty members to continue to utilize this space to challenge the thoughts and attitudes of their students as they learn the concepts required to be masters of their discipline
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What is a hate crime?
AÌýÌýis defined as any crime that manifests evidence that a victim was selected because of actual or perceived race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin or disability. A hate crime is not a separate, distinct crime but is the commission of a criminal offense that was motivated by the offender's bias. If the facts of the case indicate that the offender was motivated to commit the offense because of bias against the victim's perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, beliefs, sexual orientation, age or any other protected personal characteristic, the crime is classified as a hate crime.
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What is the difference between a bias incident and a hate crime?
A hate crime must meet two criteria:
- A crime must happen, such as physical assault, intimidation, arson or vandalism; and
- The crime must be motivated, in whole or in part, by bias.
Hate crimes, if charged and prosecuted, will be dealt with in the court system. They typically carry enhanced penalties, such as longer sentences.
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Bias incidents can occur with no clear procedure for recourse within the criminal justice system but will be addressed within the University.
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What is a microaggression?
"Microaggressions are the brief and commonplace verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial, gender, sexual orientation, and religious slights and insults that target a person or group. Perpetrators are usually unaware that they have engaged in an exchange that demeans the recipient of the communication." (Sue 2010: 5)* Sue, Derald Wing. Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.ÌýMicroaggressions can only be directed at minorities or another non-dominant group. Three forms of microaggressions can be identified: microassault, microinsult and microinvalidation.
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*Sue, Derald Wing. Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
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Do you have bias?
Everyone has bias. Even people who have avowed commitments to impartiality. Are you aware of your biases? Harvard hosts an implicit bias test. The BERT encourages you to take it to better understand what bias you may have.Ìý.
When an impacted party and/or witness submits a bias incident report form, the general practice for the report is the following:
- If the reporting party is a СÓÅÊÓƵampa student or registered student organization,ÌýBERT coordinatorÌýor designee assesses care needs, conducts outreach, refers to University partners as appropriate and assembles the BERT if needed.
- If the reporting party is a СÓÅÊÓƵampa faculty or staff member,ÌýBERT coordinatorÌýor designee assesses care needs, conducts outreach and refers to Human Resources to follow processes of the faculty/staff harassment policy.
- If reporting party is not a СÓÅÊÓƵampa community member, BERT coordinator or designee conducts outreach, as appropriate.
Responses to a Bias Incident
The BERT may consider a variety of educational responses based on the severity and context of the bias incident.
Examples of responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Establish direct contact with the person or group involved in the incident to discuss the impact of a bias incident;
- Develop and provide educational resources or opportunities to individuals, departments and other groups to address the impact of a bias incident;
- Communicate the University’s values and strong commitment to addressing and countering bias incidents to individuals, specific populations or the University community;
- Communicate to individuals, specific populations or the University community about what happened, why it is important to address the incident and what responses may be underway or possible;
- Provide consistent support, resources and information regarding the University’s response to the individual or group impacted;
- Provide information to develop a safety plan with the Office of Operations and Planning or Office of the Dean of Students;
- Provide tools to faculty and staff through the Center for Teaching and Learning to internally address the impact of incidents that occur in academic spaces;
- Offer mediation through the Office of the Dean of Students or other appropriate University offices;
- Share information and resources with student media organizations;
- Ensure that any offending material, such as graffiti or defaced posters have been removed.
Trainings on topics including but not limited to:
- Bias in our Everyday LivesÌý—ÌýWhat exactly is bias? What causes bias? How do our biases show up in our everyday interactions with others? This session will provide the answers to common questions about bias, an introduction to microaggressions and tips on how to reframe our minds to remove our biases.
- Communicating with CourageÌý—ÌýChallenging conversations can be uncomfortable and downright scary. Sometimes all you need is the proper tools to face bias head on. This session will explore ways to engage in challenging conversations and address biases exhibited by others.  
- Preventing Bias in Your CommunityÌý—ÌýHow can we set a tone that encourages awareness of diversity and our own biases? Doing so is often the first step to building an inclusive community. This session will provide tips on how to explore your own biases while encouraging welcoming and inclusive environments for all community members. 
