Hate Crimes and Bias Motivated Offensive Conduct Protocol

Relevant Excerpt

Bias motivated conduct is prohibited. The term “bias motivated” refers to behavior and/or language that demonstrates bias against persons or groups because of those persons’ or groups’ actual or perceived race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ethnicity, or status as a member of any other protected class.

Under this Student Code of Conduct, bias motivated conduct is any conduct, whether verbal, written, or physical, that constitutes a violation of the Code of Conduct and is in whole or in part motivated by bias, or is coupled with evidence of bias motivation. Examples may include defacement of posters or signs, threatening or intimidating comments or messages, vandalism to personal or University property, or similar acts.

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The process for determining whether an incident is indeed a crime and possibly a hate crime is a complicated legal matter to be determined by the Boston College Police Department. Therefore, department administrators, faculty, staff, or students who receive reports of these incidents shall report them to the BCPD for investigation and referral. Once the initial report of an incident is made, an investigation will begin according to BCPD procedures. BCPD may refer the matter to an appropriate University official for follow-up and/or to seek prosecution.