Bias Education Response Team & Bias Incident Response Protocol

The purpose of the Bias Incident Response Protocol (“Protocol”) is to establish how Stonehill College defines bias incidents and hate crimes and to describe the function and purpose of the Bias Education Response Team (“Team”).  The Team’s responsibilities include considering and recommending responses to reports of bias incidents, as well as serving an educational role in helping to cultivate community values of inclusion, civility, and mutual respect.

Common Language 

What is a bias-related incident?
A bias-related incident is an act motivated by the offender’s bias against the actual – or perceived – age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, religious practices, or sexual orientation of the targeted person or group, but does not rise to the level of a criminal offense. Examples many include telling jokes based on stereotypes; posting on social media about someone based on identity; using offensive language that may pertain to identity; and taking down or tampering with bulletin boards or displays. A bias incident can occur whether the act is intentional or unintentional.  Speech or expression that is consistent with the principles of academic freedom does not constitute a bias incident.

What is a hate crime?
Under Massachusetts law, Chapter 22C, Section 32, a hate crime is defined as “any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person's exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation. Hate crime shall also include, but not be limited to, acts that constitute violations of sections thirty-seven and thirty-nine of chapter two hundred and sixty-five, section one hundred and twenty-seven A of chapter two hundred and sixty-six and chapter two hundred and seventy-two.”

 In simplest terms, a hate crime is a crime motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice that typically involves violence.

What are microaggressive behaviors?
Microaggressive behaviors are insults, actions, or comments which contribute to an environment or experience that is not welcoming to a person or group based on their age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, religious practices, or sexual orientation. Examples may include excluding a person from group projects because, in part, of skin color or religious practices or comments made in the classroom that single out a person which may be related to identity.

Review the definition of terms

Reporting

How do I report a bias incident or hate crime?

Faculty, staff, students, vendors, and visitors are strongly encouraged to report a bias incident or hate crime to the College.  For immediate assistance or in the case of an emergency, please contact the Campus Police at x5555 from an on-campus phone, or 508-565-5555 from an off-campus phone or from a cell phone. 

Persons reporting an incident may self-identify or remain anonymous by contacting:

Reports initiated by faculty, staff, vendors, and visitors: The Office of Human Resources at 508-565-1105 or by completing the electronic form (see below). Anonymous reporting, however, will impact the College’s ability to respond or pursue appropriate action against the alleged accused.

Reports initiated by students: Office of Student Affairs at 508-565-1363, Office of Intercultural Affairs at 508-565-1409 or by completing the electronic form (see below). Anonymous reporting, however, will impact the College’s ability to respond or pursue appropriate action against the alleged accused.

File a bias incident report

All bias-related incidents are handled through BERT and affiliates from the College. Affiliates include, but not limited to, the following: The Provost, Dean of the School of Business, the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, and Residence Directors.

All student-related reports are received and resolved through the Director of Intercultural Affairs and the Dean of Students. Faculty-related reports are resolved through the Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Dean(s), and staff-related reports are resolved through the Human Resources Partner of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity and Title IX Investigator.