Reporting Bias Incidents

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Policy on harassment and bias-motivated offenses

At the University of New Haven, there is an expectation that all community members are committed to teaching, creating and supporting a climate which promotes civility, mutual respect and open-mindedness. There also exists an understanding that along with the freedom of expression comes the responsibility to support community members’ right to live and work in an environment free from harassment and fear. The University of New Haven community does not tolerate harassment directed toward any person or group, including students, employees, and visitors. It is expected that all members of the university will engage in anti-bias behavior and refrain from actions that intimidate, humiliate, or demean persons or groups or that undermine their security or self-esteem. The university strictly prohibits making submission to harassment either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, performance appraisal, or evaluation of academic performance. The university also forbids harassment that has the effect of interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. All members of the university community are responsible for the maintenance of a social environment in which people are free to work and learn without fear of discrimination and abuse.

Definitions of Key Terms

Anti-bias – Anti-bias describes an active commitment to challenging stereotyping and forms of prejudice such as racism, religious bigotry, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and ablism.

Bias – Bias is an inclination or preference either for or against an individual or group that interferes with impartial judgment and is based on traits related to race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental ability, including learning and/or developmental disabilities, and past/present history of a mental disorder, or other category protected by state or federal law.

Bias-Motivated Incident – A bias-motivated incident is a behavior which involves an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the traits related to their race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental ability, including learning and/or developmental disabilities, and past/present history of a mental disorder, or other category protected by state or federal law. Examples may include hate mail; threatening phone calls, voicemails, emails, instant messages, text messages; and the use of verbal or written slurs (including vandalism and information posted on social networking websites).

Harassment – Harassment consists of abusive behavior directed toward an individual or group because of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental ability, including learning and/or developmental disabilities, and past/present history of a mental disorder, or other category protected by state or federal law.

Hate Crimes – A hate crime is a criminal offense committed against a person or property which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, ethnic group/country of origin, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or physical or mental ability, or other category protected by state or federal law. If the crime represents a threat to the safety of students or employees, the university will give a timely warning to the community, in accordance with the Clery Act (1990).

Hate Speech – Hate speech is speech which is intended to intimidate, humiliate, demean, or incite violence or prejudicial action against persons or groups based on their race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental ability, or other category protected by state or federal law.

Prejudice – Prejudice is having a preference for or an opinion about a particular subject, person or group of people without having sufficient knowledge to justify that preference or opinion.

Campus Protocol for Harassment and Bias-Motivated Incidents

The University will not tolerate harassment or bias motivated incidents on the University’s campus.

Any person who believes that she or he is being harassed or otherwise subjected to discrimination as specified above is encouraged to immediately seek support from one of the following offices: Dean of Students, Intercultural Relations, International Services, Disability Services, Campus Police, Campus Ministry, or Residential Life. Incidents will be referred to the Dean of Students where a written record of the report will be maintained. To the extent possible, the university will treat all reports confidentially. A person who in good faith reports harassment or a biasmotivated incident shall not suffer retaliation. If, having made a report, a person subsequently believes that he or she has been subjected to retaliation, the person should immediately report it to any of the offices designated above. The Student Conduct Administrator will investigate the incident, review the circumstances, and make a final determination of the case. If there is sufficient proof or documentation to identify the responsible party, the he or she will be contacted by the Student Conduct Administrator as part of the investigation. If it is determined that the motivation of the act is biased, discriminatory or hate-driven, including that which injures persons or damages property, the Student Conduct Board will consider enhanced sanctions up to and including suspension or dismissal from the university. Additionally, if the act is judged to be criminal in nature, the incident is subject to police investigation and possible prosecution pursuant to Connecticut general statutes. Such acts will not be tolerated on the University of New Haven campus.

The University reserves the right to separate from the university anyone who is charged with or convicted of a hate crime, regardless of whether the underlying events occurred off campus.