Bias Reporting & Prevention

For the purposes of this tool, a bias is defined as behavior that is an expression of hostility against a member of the University community because of their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, legal status, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran (this list is adapted from UIC’s Nondiscrimination Policy).

Bias incidents can include, but are not limited to, offensive language (verbal or written), harmful social media posts, bullying, and graffiti.

The Bias Response Team uses a six-step process to respond to bias incidents.

1) Report & Review: The Bias Response Team receives a report of a bias incident, reviews the report and decides how to proceed.

2) Connect: If the person reporting bias provides their contact information and wishes to be contacted, a member of the Bias Response Team will get in touch with the reporting party to gather any relevant additional information, offer support and resources, and discuss options for follow-up. If the incident is referred to another campus unit, such as the Office for Access and Equity or Community Standards within the Office of the Dean of Students, that office will coordinate response and follow-up through their own processes.

3) Evaluate: The Bias Response Team evaluates the incident and considers possible responses based on the nature of the incident, any information received from speaking with the reporter and the individuals involved.

4) Address: The Bias Response Team plans a response, and if the reporting party wishes, the reporting party can be notified of the response. Should the reporting party oppose the response plan, members of the Team will meet with the reporting party to review additional options if they are available.

Possible follow-up includes, but is not limited to:

•  The Bias Response Team may consult and/or coordinate with other units including the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office for Access and Equity, the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and/or other University offices regarding bias complaints
•  Documenting instances of bias
• Educating the individual responsible for a bias incident so they can know about the harm a particular action caused and offering advisement on avoiding harmful behavior in the future
• Offering support and connecting impacted parties to relevant University resources
• A referral to the student conduct process
• A referral to the Office for Access and Equity
• Coordination of spaces for community support and healing
• Facilitated dialogue
• Training relevant members of the UIC community to create awareness and encourage bystander intervention
• Removal of offensive materials, such as graffiti or flyers

5) Review: The Bias Response Team will review trends in bias reports to determine if more systematic or targeted action needs to be taken.

6) Document: All reports and the response process are documented and are maintained in the Maxient database held in the Office of the Dean of Students.

The tool is designed to be used by all members of the UIC community, including students, faculty and staff.

The Bias Response Team is composed of staff from the three responsible units from the tool. Members of the Bias Response Team review and respond to all reports received through the Bias Reporting Tool.

Bias Response Team members include:

• Dr. Jessica Joslin, Director of UIC Dialogue Initiative and Diversity Education, Office of the Dean of Students
• Dr. Michelle Manno, Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity Initiatives, Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity
• Donald Kamm, Director and Title IX Coordinator, Office for Access and Equity
• Samantha Smith, Director of Prevention and Culture Change, Office for Access and Equity

The Bias Response Prevention and Advisory Board is composed of members of the UIC community who are committed to preventing, addressing and responding to bias on our campus. The Team reviews themes that arise through the tool and discusses ways to engage the campus community in bias prevention and response.

The Board is chaired by a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Bias incidents and hate crimes exist on the same continuum and may, at times, be hard to distinguish. In brief, bias incidents are conduct that is hurtful and/or offensive, but not necessarily illegal. Hate crimes are criminal acts committed on the basis of state and federally defined protected categories, such as race and gender. Often the crime in question is a violent crime or involves threats to commit violence.

No. The Bias Response Team does not conduct investigations or impose discipline.

Individual reports may be referred to the Community Standards area within the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office for Access and Equity. Both of those units do conduct investigations.

Formal complaints of discrimination and harassment can be made to the Office for Access and Equity at oae@uic.edu or 312-996-8670. The complaints will be reviewed under UIC’s Non-Discrimination Policy.

We encourage you to report the incident using the Bias Reporting Tool. The Bias Response Team includes representatives from a number of campus units including the Office of Diversity, the Office for Access and Equity, and the Office of the Dean of Students. We will review your report and are able to make a referral to the appropriate unit for support and follow up.

Yes, reports through the Bias Response Tool can be submitted anonymously. You also have the choice to share as much or as little detail as you wish. If you choose to report anonymously, keep in mind that there will be no way for the Bias Response Team to follow up with questions or to get any additional information, so please take care to provide sufficient detail.

There are several campus resources available to support students in a variety of circumstances.  Please feel free to reach out to staff in the Office of the Dean of Students and they would be happy to connect you to appropriate campus supports.

UIC employees are able to access support through the Employee Assistance Program.

The Bias Response Team aims to develop and offer additional resources for those experiencing bias and/or interest in reducing the impact of bias within the UIC community. Please visit the Office of the Dean of Students Diversity Education page for more information as opportunities, programs and resources become available.

A reporter cannot be retaliated against for their use of the tool. Use of the tool is protected under UIC’s Retaliation Policy. UIC prohibits and will not tolerate Retaliation against any employee or student who brought a claim of discrimination, participated in an employment investigation in the Office for Access and Equity (OAE), proceeding or hearing concerning a claim of discrimination, or who in good faith has opposed a practice he or she reasonably believes constitutes prohibited discrimination. The Office for Access and Equity has the authority to conduct investigations to determine when there have been violations of this policy and then make recommendations in accordance with the relevant University policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment.

Students involved in retaliatory behavior are subject to the Student Disciplinary Policy.

Please email biastool@uic.edu with your inquiry.

Yes! Here is a sample syllabus statement:

At UIC, we are committed to building a campus where all students, faculty and staff can thrive. An important part of that commitment is addressing incidents of bias when they arise. The Bias Reporting Tool provides a space for students, faculty and staff to report incidents of bias, have their concerns heard and receive support. Reports can be made anonymously. To learn more and to make a report, visit: go.uic.edu/brt

Bias Prevention Annual Report 20-21