What is a bias crime or hate crime?
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office categorizes a bias crime as “any crime committed by a defendant against a victim when that victim (either a person or an institution) is intentionally selected, in whole or substantial part, because of that victim’s perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.”
The College takes bias-related crimes seriously. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to immediately report all bias-related crimes via the bias response form (link), and as noted reports to Campus Public Safety or to the local police or other law enforcement agencies also can be made. When a bias incident reported to the College is reasonably believed to constitute a crime, the College also may be obliged to make a report to law enforcement.
What is the Bias Report Intake Team?
The Sarah Lawrence Bias Report Intake Team includes the VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; the Dean for Engagement and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; the Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and the Director of Public Safety. The role of the Bias Report Intake Team is to review claims of bias-related misconduct and preliminarily assess whether a College policy may have been violated, to track incidents of bias experienced by members of the Sarah Lawrence community, and to facilitate the College’s response to said incidents by alerting the relevant offices of the complaint for further appropriate action. The Bias Report Intake Team is not an investigative or disciplinary body. An incident reported by an undergraduate student, for example, generally will be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for follow-up. The decision to open an investigation will remain with the College officials that currently hold those responsibilities.
Why should I report a bias incident?
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for the entire Sarah Lawrence community. Tracking incidents of possible bias is an important part of the process, and reflects a commitment to the shared values we expect from all members of our community.
Can I report anonymously?
Yes, there is the option for anonymous reporting on the form. Please keep in mind that anonymous reports often cannot be investigated effectively, and generally will be used for tracking trends only. The Bias Report Intake Team will note the incident occurred and monitor the type and frequency of bias incidents within our community.
What forms of discipline might the person named in the complaint face?
The sanctions available for College policy violations will be spelled out in those policies. As an example, however, students found responsible for engaging in a bias-related incident that runs afoul of the Non-discrimination or the Sexual Harassment and Assault policy may face, as a sanction, one or more of the following:
- Permanent Expulsion from the College
- Housing Probation
- Suspension from the College
- Social Probation
- Permanent Loss of Campus Housing
- Restricted Access
- Suspension from Campus Housing
- Warning
Sanctions for similar policy violations committed by faculty or staff can include, among other things, warnings, formal reprimands, suspension without pay, or termination of employment.
What happens when I report an incident?
The report will be received by the Bias Response Intake Team and will be forwarded to the appropriate dean or to the VP for Human Resources
- For undergraduate students, the Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Residence Life, or Dean of Studies and Student Life may consider the matter and sanctions will be in accordance with the facts and circumstances of the individual case.
- For graduate students, the Dean of Graduate Studies will handle the matter and sanctions will be in accordance with the facts and circumstances of the individual case.
- For faculty and staff the AVP of Human Resources and/or the Associate Dean of the College will handle the matter and sanctions will be in accordance with the facts and circumstances of the individual case.
How do I report a bias incident?
Pleae use this form to submit a Bias Incident Report.
What is a microaggression?
Microaggressions are everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.
Their cumulative effects are injurious and often undermine psychological, academic, and physiological wellness. Microaggressions can be directed toward, among others, people of different races, genders, sexual or gender orientations, classes, religions, and ethnicities.
Some examples of microaggression include:
- You wrote this paper?
- Are you sure you are in the right classroom?
- Do you really think you can succeed in this class?
- You are really smart for a Hmong student.
- You must have had a tough upbringing.
- You are so articulate.
- I don’t see color, I treat all students the same.
How does the College distinguish between free speech and hate speech?
This is, as noted, often a difficult judgment, and as noted “the ‘line’ between legitimate expressions of view and acceptable pedagogical behavior” is not always clear. Generally, the inquiry will focus on the circumstances surrounding the comments, the issues being discussed, and related events that help inform the analysis. We stress here that “in all events, 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.” In making this decision, the College will seek to make a distinction between free expression of ideas, and physical or verbal abuse or harassment, which threatens or inhibits such expression or significantly interferes with a person’s education or work.
What if the incident did not involve another SLC community member?
We are tracking incidents impacting the SLC community regardless of which other individuals are involved, although of course we may not be in a position to sanction persons outside the Sarah Lawrence community if they engage in bias-related misconduct.
Can I report an incident if I don’t know who is responsible for it, like threatening graffiti, or someone yelling from a passing car?
Yes. We are tracking any and all such incidents impacting the SLC community regardless of which other individuals are involved.
Where can I find support if I experience a bias incident?
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion staff is available to talk with anyone in the SLC community who experiences a bias related incident. They can help refer individuals to other areas of support as needed.