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What is a Bias Reporting System?
Streamlined process to report incidents of bias on campus. It can be used by students, faculty, and staff.
What is Bias-related incident?
A bias incident refers, broadly, to conduct, speech or expression that targets individuals or groups based on protected characteristics (age, disability, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc.).
Discrimination and harassment are forms of bias and are prohibited under law and/or College policy. An incident does not need to rise to the level of a hate crime to be considered a bias incident.
What are protected characteristics at CSM?
Protected characteristics at CSM include but are not limited to: age, disability, class/socioeconomic status, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or presentation, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, family status, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status.
What is harassment?
Harassment is any conduct (verbal, nonverbal, or physical) that is severe and/or persistent, that impacts educational or work performance or creates a hostile education, work, or living environment based on an individual’s actual or perceived characteristic (sex, gender, race, ethnicity, etc.).
What is Discrimination?
Discrimination occurs when an individual experiences negative or adverse conduct based on characteristics protected in this policy and applicable local, state, and federal laws, where such conduct has the effect of denying or limiting one’s ability to benefit from and fully participate in educational programs or activities or employment opportunities.
What are some examples of bias-related incidents?
Examples of bias-related incidents include, written or verbal comments or messages, vandalism to personal or college property and acts of discrimination or harassment as it is outlined in CSM’s Student Code of Conduct. If evidence suggests that the target was chosen due to one of the characteristics listed above, individuals are encouraged to submit a bias incident report.
College of Saint Mary adheres to an Open Discourse policy. Some expression may be inflammatory or offensive, but not rise to the level of a bias-related incident. Individuals are encouraged to contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for clarification.
What is a Hate Crime?
Nebraska law states that “A person in the State of Nebraska has the right to live free from violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against his or her person or the destruction or vandalism of, or intimidation by threat of destruction or vandalism of, his or her property regardless of his or her race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.”
Can I submit a report anonymously?
Yes.
What happens after I submit the report?
Once your report has been submitted, you will be contacted by the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Your report will be reviewed by the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advancement Team (IDEA). IDEA will assess and respond quickly, ensuring that our community is equitable, safe and a place where every faculty, staff, and student feels they belong. As such, it is important to note that IDEA’s role is to respond to incidents of bias through educational outreach and dialogue.
The college will strive to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the confidentiality of all persons involved in the reported incident. Depending on the nature of the incident, the college may have a legal obligation to address certain reported incidents and/or take corrective actions. Disclosure of the information or sources may be necessary and will be limited to the extent possible.
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