Biased Incident Reporting

Cedric HarrisDean of Students Office
Indiana Memorial Union, M088
900 E 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

Call: (812) 855-8187
incident@indiana.edu

Submit a Report.

Bias Incident Reporting

Process and Expectations

Guiding Principles

• To give attention to the targeted individual or community impacted to ensure safety and well-being.
• To give attention to the alleged offender. All parties will be treated fairly.
• To give attention to the proper execution of the Bias Response protocol in adherence to other University policies and procedures as well as relevant legislation/law.
• To increase awareness and education to cultivate a safe and welcoming campus community.

The Process

1. Report: Bias Responder receives a report of a bias-motivated incident.
2. Respond: Bias Responder contacts Reporter(s) within 24-48 business hours. While reports can be anonymous, Bias Responders can only contact those who identify themselves and request contact. Bias Responders will conduct personal outreach to the Reporter(s) to confirm details, gather any additional information, and determine the next steps. Initial personal outreach attempts will include one email and one follow-up phone call as needed.
3. Evaluate: Bias Responder will consult with the Bias Network to design a response plan based on the best available information. Responses to bias reports will vary according to the nature of the incident and the individuals involved.
4. Resolve: Bias Responders and Bias Network determine, communicate, and execute an appropriate plan of action. Once a response plan has been developed, Bias Responders will contact the reporting party to inform them of the response plan (see possible responses below) and to assist with any necessary accommodations and care. If the reporting party objects to the response plan, Bias Responders will consult with the Bias Network, consider the objections, and decide to either revise the plan or proceed with its implementation.
5. Assess: Bias Responders share data, patterns, and trends with Bias Committee to create awareness and influence cultural change.

Possible Responses to an Incident

• A notice to the community about the incident to create awareness and influence change
• Educational conversations, workshops, seminars, and trainings
• Removal of graffiti and flyers
• Mediation and facilitated dialogue
• Support and assistance to affected individuals and/or communities
• Resolution agreements (i.e. behavioral contracts)
• Cataloging of incident(s) to monitor for patterns and trends
• Verbal warnings, redirection, student protection
• Referrals to relevant resources (i.e. CAPS Let’s Talk program)
• Referrals to external offices
  • Reports that are possible violations of the Student Code of Conduct are referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
  • Reports of gender discrimination that take place during a campus educational program or activity are referred to the IU Bloomington Title IX Coordinator.
  • Reports that are criminal in nature are referred to IU Police Department.
  • Sexual misconduct cases would be referred to all of the above.
  • Reports against faculty are referred to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty & Academic Affairs.
  • Reports against staff are referred to Human Resources