Welcome to the Sarah Lawrence College Bias Response reporting tool. Students, faculty and staff should use this tool to report bias incidents.
What is a Bias Incident?
An event that targets and/or denigrates a member or members of the SLC community on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language or citizenship can constitute a “bias incident” that may be reported using this tool. Certain bias incidents, typically incidents that are particularly severe in nature, may constitute crimes under New York law, and may be reported to law enforcement directly, either instead of or in addition to being reported using this tool. (See Section II, “What is a Bias Crime or a Hate Crime?”). If you believe you are the victim of, or witness to, a bias crime or a hate crime, you may contact the College’s Public Safety Department immediately in addition to using this tool.
- Emergency: 914.395.2222 or 2222 from a campus phone
- Non-emergency: 914.395.2209 or 2209 from a campus phone
College Policies Prohibiting Bias-Motivated Misconduct
A bias incident need not rise to the level of a "crime" in order to violate applicable Sarah Lawrence policies, or other applicable anti-discrimination laws. Both College policy and New York law, for instance, prohibit various forms of discrimination or harassment, including discrimination or harassment motivated by bias against a person based upon actual or perceived race, color, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language or citizenship. Those policies also expressly prohibit retaliation against any person reporting a violation, or any person assisting with the investigation into, or determination of any complaint made under either policy.
Additional Pertinent Considerations in Our Academic Environment
Additional relevant College policies and pronouncements in this area are the Sarah Lawrence Principles for Mutual Respect, and the College’s policy of Freedom of Expression and Mutual Respect. We expect our community members to model personal behavior that reflects tolerance, compassion, a commitment to justice and fairness, and respect for the human dignity and worth of all. We also are a community of scholars and learners, where personal growth and understanding is best served through, a “free and robust debate and exchange of ideas.” During such debate, participants may be exposed to ideas or modes of expression that differ from their own, and cause those participants to take stock of certain preconceived beliefs and notions. However, the College can and will make the distinction between free expression of ideas and physical or verbal abuse that threatens or inhibits such expression, or significantly interferes with a person's education. Members of the College community are invited to use this reporting tool in all cases where they believe a bias incident has occurred, and the College will carefully consider all such reports and proceed accordingly.
Procedures to Report a Bias Incident
- Complete the online Bias Incident Reporting Form
- Please describe the incident as fully as possible and indicate whether and how you would like to be contacted.
- You will be able to add to or amend your initial report if needed.
- When a report is submitted, a member of the Bias Incident Response Team will respond within two business days to learn more about the incident.
- Any community member who believes that they are the victim of a bias crime or needs immediate attention is encouraged to contact Campus Safety at 914-395-2209 (emergency 914-395-2209).