Bias

Tell Someone! A complaint pertaining to a hate crime or bias-related incident [2] should be filed as soon as possible. Such a complaint may be filed with the University of Dayton’s Department of Public Safety/Police Department (UDPD) or with a staff member at a designated office [3] within one of the following University of Dayton divisions, units or entities: (1) Academic Affairs; (2) Administrative Affairs; (3) Student Development; or (4) Bias-Related Incident Team (BRIT). [4] (At each of these offices a representative will encourage the complainant to file a report with the UDPD.) A complaint may also be filed through the Bias-Related Incident (BRI)-Reporting Web Site.

· An officer will respond, complete a written report, and forward it to the BRIT and the Affirmative Action/Legal Affairs Office (See Flow Chart, PD Step a).

· The dispatcher will contact the University of Dayton Student Development Administrator (SDA) on call—(PD Step b).

· The SDA will contact the complainant, or complainants, and act as an initial resource to help ensure that any immediate personal safety or health needs are met and to advise them of their rights and options under University of Dayton Policies—(SDA Step a).

· The SDA will enter and/or update the BRI report of the incident on the BRI-Tracking Web Site (a private, password-protected vehicle for entering information into the BRI database [5] )—(SDA Step b).

If a complainant refuses to contact the UDPD and lodges the complaint in a designated office:

· A staff member will provide assistance in entering a report on the BRI-Reporting Web Site (Rep-Step a).

· The web site will immediately notify the UDPD and the BRIT Chair through an e-mail message that a report has been filed (WS-Step a).

· Within one business day the BRIT Chair will convene a BRIT Response Group, comprised of at least three members. The Response Group will review the UDPD Report and/or the web-based report to make recommendations. One member of the Response Group will serve as a liaison with the complainant (RG-Step a).

Preserve any evidence such as graffiti, email or instant message and telephone recording, etc.

This website was formed specifically to obtain information and respond to incidents of bias within our campus community. By filing a report you will help us improve our campus and climate. If you choose to simply inform the university of your experience, we will use this data in an attempt to improve our campus through education, programming and other activities related to reducing bias. If you choose to act, filing a report will generate contact from a member of the university administration. This individual will offer support and provide options for you.

As the victim of a hate incident or hate crime, you have the authority to decide what happens next. You can report the incident and stop there. You can ask for mediation of a conflict. You can file a complaint of harassment through the University Standards of Behavior. You can request changes in your living conditions. If the incident supports the elements of a crime, you may pursue criminal charges through the Department of Public Safety or other law enforcement agencies with jurisdictional authority. It is your decision.

[2] When investigating a complaint of a bias-related incident and/or a hate crime, the University cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. The University will, however, maintain confidentiality to the greatest extent possible to protect the parties involved. The University’s procedures for responding to bias-related incidents and/or hate crimes requires that other University personnel may need to know of some aspects of the charges so that an inquiry can be successfully conducted.

[3] Designated offices have a staff member trained to accept bias-related incident/hate crime reports. Students may file a report of a hate crime or bias-related incident at: Campus Ministry, Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Office of Residence Education, Counseling Center, Office of Human Resources, Office of Greek Life, Office of Community Standards and Civility, Women’s Center, Office of International Student Programs, Office of the Rector, and Office of the President. Faculty and Staff may file a report of a hate crime or bias-related incident at: Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of Human Resources, Women’s Center, and the Office of Affirmative Action/Legal Affairs.

[4] The BRIT will be housed in the Affirmative Action/Legal Affairs Offices. The initial BRIT was comprised of University and community representatives from the Office of the President, Office of the Rector, Office of Human Resources, Office of Affirmative Action and Legal Affairs, the Women’s Center, Department of Public Safety, Office of Residence Education, Office of Alcohol Education and Programs, Student Government Association, Office of Diverse Student Populations, Counseling Center, Office of International Student Programs, ALLIES, Black Action Through Unity (BATU), Asian American Association, Latino Student Organization, Division of Enrollment Management, Office of Information Technology, Office of Disability Services, Department of Psychology, Department of Sociology, and the National Conference for Community and Justice.

[5] The BRI database, which contains information about campus hate crimes and bias-related incidents, will be managed by Affirmative Action/Legal Affairs.