Bias Incident Response Team

Relevant Excerpt

The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) ensures students, faculty, and staff affected by bias or a bias-related incident have access to appropriate resources and assists the university in its response in situations that may impact the overall campus climate around diversity and inclusion. The team reviews and responds to reported bias-related incidents in an educational and non-confrontational and non-punitive manner.

BIRT’s responsibilities:

Evaluate and respond to immediate needs of the reporting party
Act as a referral resource, directing reporters or the incident response to appropriate campus departments
Assist in and consult on the development of community level response to the incident

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A bias incident is described as any behavior or act – verbal, written or physical – which is personally directed against or targeting an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status. Behavior reflecting bias may or may not constitute a violation of Fitchburg State University policy or constitute a crime (i.e. hate crime). Events that may constitute a bias incident include, but are not limited to, threatening telephone calls or messages (including email, text and social media), harassment, graffiti, physical assault, vandalism or destruction of personal property.

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Although bias-related incidents cause harm, it is important to note that not every act which may be offensive to an individual or group will be considered to be discriminatory conduct or a violation of institutional policy. Whether a specific incident constitutes harassment proscribed by university policy will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Due consideration will be given to the protection of individual First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom.

While the First Amendment protects the free expression of ideas that are sometimes offensive, that does not mean the university is powerless to respond.

Instead of trying to censor or punish free speech, we seek to:

Assist the reporting party in obtaining necessary resources
Develop educational opportunities to address intolerance
Make recommendations to assist with the prevention of future bias related incidents

Of course, people who commit acts of hate or bias that are not protected under the First Amendment may be subject to disciplinary proceedings or prosecution. Possible examples include physical assault, vandalism, trespassing, harassment, incitement, or genuine threats of violence.