What is a Bias Incident?

Bias incidents are acts or behaviors motivated by the person's bias against any combination but not limited to identities such as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. While these acts do not necessarily rise to the level of a crime, a violation of state law, University policy, or the Student Code of Conduct, a bias act may contribute to creating an unsafe, negative, or unwelcome environment for the impacted person(s); anyone who shares the same social identity as the impacted person(s); and/or, community members of the university.

The Bias Incident Reporting Tool is for NON-EMERGENCY incidents. If your immediate safety is at risk, you are witnessing violence or perceive imminent harm to yourself or others, please immediately call 911. If your experience includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and/or relationship violence, please contact UW SafeCampus. 

Our Commitment

The Bias Incident Reporting Committee (BIRC) is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus environment for UW Tacoma students, staff and faculty by:

  • Supporting individuals and campus communities targeted or affected by bias incidents.
  • Collecting, monitoring and tracking bias incident-reporting data.
  • When appropriate, referring incidents to the appropriate disciplinary body for investigation.
  • Coordinating the provision of campus support services to individuals and communities affected by bias incidents using restorative justice principles.
  • Educating the campus about ways to foster a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning and working environment that embraces the rich diversity within our community.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The University of Washington prohibits discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct in any education program or activity that it operates. In addition to this Bias Incident Reporting process, individuals may report concerns, make complaints, or direct inquiries to the Civil Rights Compliance Office. To learn more, see the University Statement of Nondiscrimination website. 

Review Process

Step 1: Reviewed by Bias Incident Reporting Committee (BIRC)

The UW Tacoma Bias Incident Reporting Committee (BIRC) was established in early 2017 to respond to bias incidents, address bias and support individuals and communities that are impacted by bias incidents. The bias reporting system is intended as a campus resource for reporting, documenting and educating around issues of bias. 

When you submit a bias incident report, here is how the committee responds

  • Reviews the details of the situation to assess for immediate safety concerns and the need for mandatory reporting under Title VI or Title IX.
  • Case Manager contacts the reporter for an intake interview.
  • Committee conducts a review and refers those who report incidents to the appropriate campus offices and programs that can effectively respond in accordance with applicable University policies and principles of expression.
  • Committee may coordinate supportive measures, if needed and/or makes referrals to appropriate units and support services (e.g. student conduct, faculty affairs, counseling, ombudsman, etc.).
  • Committee may assess avenues for minimizing or eliminating future incidents of bias.
  • Case Manager catalogs the reported incident and tracks for trends.

The committee is dedicated to reviewing your report carefully and connecting you with support. 

Step 2: Possible Actions

All reports are followed up by the designated University representatives to assist with additional intake and follow up as appropriate. The following is a summary of examples of either recommended actions or actions taken by the BIRC in response to the incidents that were reported. In general, follow-up responses include: removal of graffiti, social media messaging, educational conversation, support for impacted individuals, residence hall meetings and community-wide messages.

Individual Action

  • Interview
  • Mediate or adjudicate with an Ombud
  • File a report, criminally investigate
  • Referral to Student Conduct
  • Crime alerts
  • Contact Human Resources, employee action/mediation
  • Prepare any campus or local communications

Community Action

What We Don't Do

  • Conduct investigations: Submission of a Bias Incident Report does not constitute a formal complaint and will not automatically initiate an investigation; however, should you utilize some of the campus resources offered to you through this process, they might use the information you provide to initiate disciplinary action.

  • Impinge on free speech rights and academic freedom: As a public institution, the University must allow protected free speech while taking all necessary steps to maintain an atmosphere that is free from harassment and discrimination. As a result, actions that the University can take, such as disciplinary action for the individuals engaging in the conduct, may depend on the University's assessment of whether the individual's speech is protected. More information about free speech is available on the University's Freedom of Expression and Community Standards website. 

     

Resources 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee Members

  • Bernard Anderson
  • Sarah Davies Breen
  • Hermenia Butler
  • Tanya Velasquez
  • Susan Wagshul-Golden
  • Abby Zorn