Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University Bias Response Team

Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: January 2, 2018

What is Bias?

An act of bigotry, harassment, intimidation, coercion, or damage to property by known or unknown perpetrators that occurs on SSU’s campus or within an area that impacts the SSU community and that one could reasonably conclude is directed at a member or group of the SSU community because of that individual’s or group’s actual or perceived age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any combination of these or related factors.

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Some possible outcomes of the bias incident report:

• A mediated conversation between you and the person with whom you had the conflict
• Referral to a campus resource to address a specific issue, such as Disability Services for Students, the HUB, or to a campus resource such as  Counseling and Psychological Services to address a more general issue
• A private talk with the person with whom you had the conflict and appropriate University personnel
• A general campus education campaign about the issue

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Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: January 2, 2018

Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.

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Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: January 2, 2018

Misuse of computer facilities or resources, including: … Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.

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Executive Order 1097: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students and Systemwide Procedure for Handling Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaints by Students

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: January 2, 2018

Sexual Harassment, a form of Sex Discrimination, is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes but is not limited to sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other conduct of a sexual nature where: …  The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Complainant, and is in fact considered by the Complainant, as creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

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Sexual Harassment also includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on Gender or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

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Campus Housing Policies and Regulations: Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: January 2, 2018

Every member of the Residential Community should be treated with respect and dignity. Threats of violence, behaviors, or verbal/non-verbal remarks that result in a threat to health and safety of self or others, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation of members of the Residential Community or University is unacceptable. Social media posts and visible photographs may be used as evidence of violations.

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Statement on Civility and Tolerance

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: January 2, 2018

We expect that all members of the SSU community will:

• Communicate with each other in a civil manner
• Recognize and be accountable for how their actions and language impact the community
• Treat community members with consideration, dignity, and respect
• Create a community in which actions of bigotry, oppression, bullying, and hatred will not be tolerated
• Confront behavior or report to University staff any incidents of intolerance, hatred, injustice, or incivility …

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Electronic Communications Responsible Use Rules

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: January 2, 2018

Users shall not use electronic communications resources for unlawful activities or activities that violate University policy, including fraudulent, libelous, slanderous, harassing, threatening communications.

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Campus Christians: not always at ease

January 25, 2005

When Chris Gruener moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to begin graduate school, he looked forward to experiencing the region’s renowned tolerance of all people and lifestyles. Mr. Gruener was raised in a devout Christian family near Seattle and attended a Baptist high school and a Christian college, where he studied business. His passion, however, was literature, and so he was excited to begin a master’s program in English at Sonoma State University. But during his first semester, a classroom incident put a damper on Gruener’s ardor. While lecturing on James Joyce’s rejection of the church, a professor drew […]

Sonoma State University Incident Serves as Reminder of Freedom to Display Faith (Or Lack Thereof)

July 3, 2013

Aaron Coven is a FIRE summer intern. While some may find it hard to believe, religious discrimination still occurs on our nation’s college and university campuses. Just last week, Audrey Jarvis, a 19-year-old Sonoma State University student, was first instructed by a university employee to remove, and later told to hide, a two-inch cross from her neck so as not to offend other students. Within only a short matter of time, however, the university apologized, and has acted to rectify the situation. Jarvis, who was working at a freshman orientation event when the incident occurred, stated in an interview: “I believe […]