Responding to Bias

R E C O G N I Z I N G A N D R E P O RT I N G B I A S AT U V M

RESPONDING TO BIAS

AGENDA

•How do we define bias at UVM?•What does bias look like?•What are the effects of bias?•How do I report bias?•What happens after I report a bias incident?•What resources do I have?

UNDERSTANDING BIASOUR DEFINIT ION AND EXAMPLES

HOW DO WE DEFINE BIAS AT UVM?

Bias is a personal inclination or temperament based on unreasoned judgment or belief. Bias may be reflected in behavior (verbal, nonverbal, or written) that is threatening, harassing, intimidating, discriminatory, hostile, unwelcoming, exclusionary, demeaning, degrading, or derogatory and is based on a person’s real or perceived identity or group affiliation, including (but not limited to) race, age, disability status, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or religion.  Note: This definition of a bias incident is intentionally broad to reflect our values to create and sustain an inclusive, safe, and productive community for all of our members.

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

Bias can be:• Spoken directly to a person or behind a person’s

back• Written, spray-painted, or etched on

private/public property• Nonverbal• Passive• Directly or indirectly referencing one or more of

the victim’s perceived identities• Targeting one individual or an entire identity

group

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

EXAMPLES OF BIAS

“From across the street I saw a person in the Red Cross Blood Drop costume heading my way with a female who was not in costume. There was no one around me and I figured the person in the costume was coming to convince me to give blood. Instead the person in the costume came over and bowed to me three times until his female friend asked him “what are you doing?” and he responded “I don’t know” and walked away from me. I was embarrassed and outraged. My initial reaction was to kick him but my senses told me not to because I did not want to lose my job. When a bias related incident occurs you want to crawl into a hole and feel invisible. I was lucky to have people that listened and supported me through my emotional distress. Not everyone is so lucky.”

-Chong Kim (former graduate student)

THE IMPACTON INDIVIDUALS AND THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BIAS?

Victims of bias may:• Be fearful or suffer psychological damage• Feel isolated, unwanted, or unheard• Experience a decrease in grades or work

performance• Physically or emotionally retreat from the

community• Consider leaving the university

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BIAS?

The campus community may• Experience a “hostile climate” or “chilly

climate”• View bias as acceptable or commonplace,

condoning or perpetuating it• Become divided, lack unity• Experience fear that bias will

continue/worsen and they will be affected

REPORTING BIASWHAT YOU CAN DO AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN

BIAS RESPONSE TEAM

The Bias Response Team (BRT):• Is made up of members of the UVM

community• Reviews bias incidents in a timely matter• Promotes civility and respect• May refer incidents to AAEO, Police

Services, etc. as each case warrants• May provide educational/restorative

intervention

HOW DO I REPORT BIAS?

• Go to www.uvm.edu/bias and click on “Report a Bias Incident”• Enter as much information as possible

(names of people, location, date, time, photographic evidence, etc.)• If you or anyone else is facing an imminent

risk of danger, dial 911 or call UVM Police Services at 802-656-3473

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I REPORT A BIAS INCIDENT?

• A staff member will follow up with you if you have given your name• Options for moving forward will be discussed

with you• In the case of significant individual/community

impact, other staff members may be involved in order to address the harm done• If there is no identifiable perpetrator,

individual/community needs will be addressed as appropriate• The response can vary depending on the

severity and scale of the incident

ADVOCATES AND ADVISORS

Advocates• Support victims through the reporting process;• Communicate with the BRT about the needs and concerns

of the victim, and emerging issues related to the reported bias incident; and

• Refer victims to appropriate resources

Advisors• Provide information about the process for resolving bias

incidents (including potential options for restorative practices);

• Communicate with the BRT about needs and concerns of the accused person, and emerging issues related to the bias incident; and

• Refer the accused person to appropriate resources

RESOURCESGETTING SUPPORT AND LEARNING MORE

CAMPUS RESOURCES

• Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity - (802) 656-3368• ALANA Student Center - (802) 656-3819• Counseling & Psychiatry Services -

(802) 656-3340• Dean of Students Office - (802) 656-

3380• LGBTQA Center - (802) 656-8637• Police Services - (802) 656-3473• Women's Center - (802) 656-7892

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

• Anti-Bias Resources: http://www.adl.org/education-outreach/curriculum-resources/c/additional-anti-bias-resources.html• Battling Bias: The Struggle for Identity and

Community on College Campuses by Ruth Sidel• “Incidents of Bias in College Classrooms:

Instructor and Student Perceptions”: http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/dhe/2/4/219.html• “Heterosexuals’ Use of “Fag” and “Queer” to

Deride One Another”: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1300/J082v40n02_01

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

• If you have questions about a potential bias incident, reach out to your supervisor(s) or the Dean of Students Office (802-656-3473)•When in doubt, go ahead and report it