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The term “bias-related” refers to language and/or behaviors which demonstrate bias against persons because of, but not limited to, others’ actual or perceived: race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, creed, color, genetic information, physical or mental disability, HIV status, or status as a veteran.* Bias will be deemed an aggravating circumstance to any violation of the Policy and Conduct Code, regardless of its category. Consequently, bias-related violations may result in a more serious action up to, and including, permanent separation from the University.

Examples may include defacement of posters or signage, intimidating comments or messages, vandalism to personal or University property, or similar acts, if there is evidence that the target or victim was chosen because of a characteristic listed above. Please be aware, however, that just because the expression of an idea or point of view may be offensive or inflammatory to some, it is not necessarily a bias-related incident. The University values freedom of expression and the open exchange of ideas and the expression of controversial ideas and differing views is a vital part of the University discourse. While this value of openness protects controversial ideas, it does not protect harassment or expressions of bias or hate aimed at individuals which violate the Policy and Conduct Code.

Protected classes are defined by the University’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy.

The Bias Incident Response Team is responsible for acting as ɫ����Ƶ’s “first response” team when dealing with reported bias incidents. Additionally, in working closely with appropriate administrators, students, faculty, committees, organizations and offices BIRT plays an educational role in fostering inclusive campus climates and supporting targets individuals when bias and hate incidents occur. The team has broad membership in order to support and affirm the University’s educational mission and core value of Global Community and Diversity.

Also referred to as “campus culture,” the current attitudes, behaviors and standards of faculty, staff, administrators, and students concerning the level of respect for individual needs, abilities, and potential.

Consent is informed, freely and actively given, mutually understandable words or actions which indicate a willingness to participate in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. There is no consent if it results from the use of physical force, threats, intimidation, coercion, or the person giving consent is incapacitated. Consent, once freely and actively given, may be withdrawn at any time. Consent may never be obtained through the use of force, coercion, or intimidation or if the victim is mentally or physically disabled or incapacitated, including through the use of drugs or alcohol.

A hate crime is the violence of intolerance and prejudice, intended to hurt and intimidate, committed against a person, property or society that is motivated by an offender’s bias against a specific characteristic of an individual or a group because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age or physical or mental disability.

Hate crimes are criminal offenses that include acts such as physical assault, stalking, cyberstalking, criminal threatening, intimidation, terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, arson, vandalism or other damage to property, reckless conduct, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or hate mail.

All hate crimes are bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are hate crimes.

This is a broad term that includes any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature committed without consent or by force, coercion, or intimidation.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome, gender-based verbal or physical conduct that is sufficiently sever, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, denies or limits someone’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational program and/or activities and is based on power and the creation of a hostile environment.