Bias Reporting & Response Guidelines

Relevant Excerpt

For the purposes of this tool, a bias is defined as behavior that is an expression of hostility against a member of the University community because of their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, legal status, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran (this list is adapted from UIC’s Nondiscrimination Policy).

Bias incidents can include, but are not limited to, offensive language (verbal or written), harmful social media posts, bullying, and graffiti.

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The Bias Response Team uses a six-step process to respond to bias incidents. ...

Address: The Bias Response Team plans a response, and if the reporting party wishes, the reporting party can be notified of the response ...

Possible follow-up includes, but is not limited to:

• Educating the individual responsible for a bias incident so they can know about the harm a particular action caused and offering advisement on avoiding harmful behavior in the future

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• Removal of offensive materials, such as graffiti or flyers

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Investigations and discipline are not a part of the bias response process. Nor is the Bias Response Team a judiciary body. The purpose of the Bias Response Tool is to collect information on issues impacting our campus community, to provide support to those affected by bias and to help develop informed bias response strategies and interventions for the campus.