Bias Reporting

Bias Incident

A “Bias Incident” is defined as an act- either verbal, written, physical, or psychological which is personally directed against or targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, disability or sexual orientation. The act itself is not illegal, but it is “hateful” toward a particular identity group.

The kind of incidents that may constitute a bias incident, include but are not limited to, threatening telephone calls or mail (including electronic mail), graffiti, physical assault, stalking, vandalism, destruction of personal property, harassment, coercion or the use or oral or written expression of bias involving degrading language or stereotypes. SVC strongly encourages the reporting of all hate crimes and bias incidents that occur on campus or at college sponsored events and activities occurring off campus.

Hate Crime

Any act prohibited by law that is motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, disability or sexual orientation.

Note: All hate crimes are considered bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are considered hate crimes.

• Receive, monitor, refer incidents.
• As necessary, coordinate college responses to hate and bias-based incidents that impact the college community.
• Provide immediate assistance and support to those impacted by bias-based behavior.
• Work collaboratively to offer a comprehensive and multifaceted primary prevention and
  education bias/hate training opportunities.
• Collect and track anonymous information related to bias and hate crimes to help us better understand our campus climate.
• Provide an annual fall report of trends to the diversity committee beginning each academic year.

• Does not conduct investigations based on reports of bias and/or hate. Upon notification of a report, the Bias Incident Response Team will evaluate the appropriate response, and then the report will be assigned to the appropriate school official for investigation.
• Does not conduct individual follow-ups or inquiries to the parties involved.
• The Bias Incident Response Team has no authority to discipline any student or employee, bias incidents that violate the college’s campus rules, policies, and procedures will be addressed to the college’s appropriate investigative process.

BIAS Report Workflow and Communication Plan

The following is an example of steps taken in the Bias Incident Team report process. Some steps may vary depending on the specific details of each case.

1. Information received by Bias Team administrators in one of the following ways:
   1. Bias Team Incident Report
      1. https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SkagitValleyCollege&layout_id=7
      2. By phone, to campus security at (Mount Vernon Campus) at (360) 416-7777 or (Whidbey Island Campus) at (360) 770-5393.
      3. Received as follow-up from another incident report (Student Conduct, CVV Conduct, Safety & Security, CARE, or Title IX).
2. Co-chairs receive report
   1. Assess for bias (within 24-48 hours)
      1. If yes, evaluate for immediate action, safety (assess risk), and public communication.
      2. Co-chairs review the potential bias component
         1. If yes, convene bias incident response team (BIRT).
         2. If convening BIRT
            1. Co-chairs develop response to the reporting party and/or college and to external community if needed.
         3. Assign the report to the appropriate official.
         4. Educational opportunities are considered and report added to collection for trends.
   2. Determine if communication to reporting party needs to be developed.
      1. If no, assign the report to the appropriate official.

“We strive to be responsive and provide updates on cases every 30 days. If you have questions about an existing case, please contact [email protected] for an update.”

If you are unsure how to interpret an incident and believe there may be a connection to bias, please file a report. When completing this form, please include your name, title, and contact information. Please note that anonymously submitted forms may limit our effectiveness in dealing with concerning behavior.

If you need to report an EMERGENCY, dial 911 and then call Campus Security (Mount Vernon Campus) at 360.416.7777 or Campus Security (Whidbey Island Campus) at 360.770.5393. DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO REPORT EVENTS THAT PRESENT AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO HEALTH OR SAFETY.

If someone believes they are the victim of or a witness to an alleged bias incident, that person may report the incident, in person or by phone, to campus security at (Mount Vernon Campus) at 360.416.7777 or Campus Security (Whidbey Island Campus) at 360.770.5393.

Individuals may also report an alleged bias incident online using this online reporting form. Upon receipt of any report alleging bias, the co-chairs will determine if the report triggers an immediate call to action by the college.

If yes, the Bias Incident Response Team will convene and determine the appropriate measures to be taken. If there are no immediate actions required based on the content of the report, then, within 24-48 hours

• Review the potential bias component Make a preliminary assessment
• Make a preliminary assessment
• Assign the report to the appropriate official

If you wish to report in person or have questions, you may do so to the following areas:

Yadira Rosales, Associate Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
MV Campus: Annex Building, CA103
Phone: 360.416.7930
Email: [email protected]