Bias Incident Response Team
“The College has a zero tolerance for hate crimes and bias incidents and will act swiftly and effectively when such are reported. The College aspires to create an environment that is inclusive and safe for all students to learn. This protocol is specific to addressing hate crimes or bias incidents directed at Evergreen students identified as protected classes under the College's Non-Discrimination Policy, local, state and federal civil rights laws and regulations. The College realizes the scope of the laws, policy and regulation extends to the abovementioned protected classes. Though socio economics status is not covered under existing laws and college policies, the College also recognizes that students from lower socio economic groups may experience discrimination or bias.”
What is a Bias Incident? A Hate Crime?
When Is the Bias Incident Response Protocol Used?
How Can I Report a Bias Incident?
Why Should I Report Bias Incidents?
What are my Biases?
How can I make a positive difference?
What is a Bias Incident? A Hate Crime? How do they differ?
A bias incident is conduct, speech or expression that is motivated by bias based on perceived race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender expression, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation identities but does not rise to the level of a crime. To constitute a bias incident, sufficient objective facts must be present to lead a reasonable and prudent person to conclude that the actions in question may be motivated by bias toward the status of a targeted individual or a group.
A hate crime is an actual criminal offence motivated in whole or in part by the offender's bias towards the victim's status based on race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender expression, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation identities.
When Is the Bias Incident Response Protocol Used?
The bias incident protocol is initiated in cases of what may be a hate crime, bias incident, or when it is clear that the incident would have a serious impact on groups by virtue of their race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender expression, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation identities. The purpose of convening the protocol response team is not to respond to more private incidents, especially when victims are uncomfortable with a public response, but rather to deal with more visible incidents that are likely to significantly affect the community.
How Can I Report a Bias Incident?
Students who experience or witness, and staff or faculty members, who become aware of a possible hate crime or bias incident, are asked to report the crime or incident immediately to a designated college office or official:
- Vice President for Student Affairs 867-6296
- Police Services 867-6832
- Director of Housing and Food Services 867-6137
- Campus Grievance Officer 867-5113
- Dean of Student and Academic Support Services 867-6034
- Director of First Peoples' Advising Services 867-6467
- Civil Rights Officer 867-5371
- Provost Office 867-6400
- Academic Deans 867-6870
Why Should I Report Bias Incidents?
- Because we will address your report personally and respond with support that strives for the most positive outcome possible.
- Because some situations are based on people “just not getting it” and the entire community benefits when we are challenged to scrutinize our actions.
- Because the person who experienced the bias motivated behavior can be connected with appropriate and supportive campus resources.
- Because the information we receive can create positive change at Evergreen through education, awareness of difference, and programming.
- Because we are dedicated to being a bias free college!
What are my Biases?
Ordinary people are found to harbor negative associations in relation to various social groups (i.e., implicit biases) even while honestly (researchers believe) reporting that they regard themselves as lacking these biases. The Project Implicit web site has been functioning as a hands-on science exhibit, allowing web visitors to experience the manner in which human minds display the effects of stereotypic and prejudicial associations acquired from their socio-cultural environment. HERE you can explore to what extent bias might be influencing you. (It will take about 10 minutes.)
How can I make a positive difference?
There are several ways you can create positive change at Evergreen!
GET INVOLVED
- You can support student advocacy services through volunteering and/or attending TESC functions.
- Join an Evergreen student cultural or social justice group or create your own to serve your cause.
Serve on a College equity or social justice committee:
- ADA Compliance Committee
- President’s Diversity Fund Committee
- Bias Incident Response Team
- Diversity and Equity Standing Committee
- The CARE Network
Speak Out
- Serve on the Geoduck Union, or attend meetings to voice your thoughts. Always VOTE!
- Write for the Cooper Point Journal or other local periodicals
- Create literature, art, music, etc. to share your ideas
- Encourage others to report any bias motivated behaviors on this website
Be an Ally
- Learn from those who are different from you
- Speak up for voices that aren't present in a conversation
- Understand and explore your own privileges and biases
- Respectfully interrupt offensive jokes and language
- Learn more about one another's differences
Become What You Want to See
Whether its peace, love, acceptance, fairness, or increased involvement, you have the power to first create within yourself the qualities you want to see in the world and in the people around you.
Explore National Student Movements for Change
- Own what you think “Own What You Think is about collaborating, dissenting, learning and disagreeing in a constructive manner that allows us to grow as individuals and a society as a whole.”
- Student Peace Alliance “Make Peace. Make Sense. Make History”
- Free Culture “The mission of the Free Culture movement is to build a bottom-up, participatory structure to society and culture, rather than a top-down, closed, proprietary structure.”
- Human Rights Campaign "As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.”