Bias Response and Education Team
Bias Incident: Acts or behavior motivated by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression or any other distinguishing characteristic. Bias acts occurs whether the act is intentional or unintentional or is directed toward an individual or group and may contribute to creating an unsafe/unwelcoming environment for victims and social identity groups.
[a] Purpose
Given the prevalence of bias/hate motivated incidents on university campuses and Susquehanna’s commitment to be an “engaged, culturally inclusive campus”, as set forth in the Statement on Diversity and Inclusiveness, the Bias Response and Education Team (BRET) was launched in the fall, 2009 as a resource for Susquehanna students.
The fundamental purpose of the BRET is to provide a structure for immediate counsel and assistance to those who are targets of or witness to bias. The team provides a safe space to communicate experiences, to consider the character and gravity of harassment or bias- based instances, to ensure comprehensive responses, and proactively address issues of difference, civility and respect. The BRET does not adjudicate student conduct code violations, affirmative action issues, or issues of state and federal law but can connect students to resources in each of these areas for appropriate resolutions.
[b] Membership
In order to create an atmosphere where students feel free to report bias incidents, the BRET will not be comprised of personnel who formally investigate bias related issues. The team consists of faculty, staff and students appointed by the Provost to three year rotating terms.
Current members are listed below. Contact information may be found on the Susquehanna University campus directory located under “Offices and Services” on the homepage.
2011 – 2012 members
- Monika Bryson—Administrative Assistant, Cross Cultural Programs
- Wanda Cordero-Ponce—Associate Professor of Spanish
- Scott Hollenbach—Events & Services Coordinator
- Eric Lassahn—Director, Residence Life & Civic Engagement
- Caro Mercado—Assistant Dean & Director of First Year Programs
- Nate Milne—Assistant Football and Assistant Track Coach
- Peggy Peeler—Professor of Biology
- Dee Richardson—Associate Director of Admissions
- Dena Salerno (chair)—Director of the Center for Diversity and Social Justice
[c] Reporting Process
The members of the BRET will be listed publically in residence halls, campus literature and on the university website. A student can report an incident directly to a BRET member or via the Web. Students who are targets of or witness to a bias incident are strongly encouraged to contact a member of the BRET as soon as possible.
If an incident is reported to other members of the campus community, including faculty and staff, the information should be immediately submitted to the BRET chair. Incidents will be forwarded to appropriate investigative bodies and the BRET will convene to determine the educational response of the campus community.
i. All reported bias incidents will be referred to the BRET. Reporting to the group is appropriate even if the person cannot be identified, or in circumstances where the person who experienced the bias incident does not desire to pursue campus disciplinary or criminal charges.
ii. Acts that are biased or discriminatory may violate the policies in the Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook (see appendix) or the Employee Handbook. In addition, some activities may violate state or federal laws. Therefore, the BRET response to reports will depend on the nature of the incident, the complainant’s wishes as to how the matter should be handled, balanced by the campus community as a whole, the rights of the accused, and appropriate fiduciary legal responsibilities.
iii. Reports of hate crime should be reported directly to Public Safety (ext: 4444) by the Coordinator of the Bias Response and Education Committee. If it is warranted, Public safety will collaborate with local law enforcement.
iv. Faculty and staff should also submit complaints that are directly reported to them by students in order to compile accurate annual data and address systemic issues.
[d] Educational Role in Fostering a Climate of Inclusion
The BRET will be empowered to request support from various individuals, offices and departments on campus in designing and implementing programs as response to and prevention of bias.
Educational responses will provide support to the targeted individual/group, engender the support of allies and inform perpetrators of the values of the university that are contrary to acts of bias.
Educational responses can include email messages to campus community members informing them of an incident and reiterating campus values which support inclusion, all-campus forums, articles published in The Crusader, residence hall programs, and talking points for faculty sessions.
The BRET will also maintain a database of all reported bias incidents in order to identify systemic concerns and subsequent ways to address these issues.
For more information on BRET, please contact any member of BRET to review a complete copy of the Bias Response and Education Team Protocol.
Reviewed July 2010
