General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form
The purpose of the General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form is to monitor the occurrence of hate/bias incidents both on and off campus.
A hate/bias incident is any non-criminal act motivated, in whole or in part, by the victim's actual or perceived racial/ethnic identity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion, social class, immigrant background, disability, veteran status or age.
The identity of the victim/target will be kept confidential to the maximum extent possible under applicable state and federal law.
Submitting a report may or may not result in criminal or university action, depending on the type of incident and the victim's willingness to take further action.
A second option for reporting hate/bias incidents is the system-level Bias Reporting Referral Network (see the "Report an Incident" button in the upper right corner). Completed reports submitted here are routed to the University of Minnesota System. Please note that responses may take longer than the campus-level reporting; however, this alternative is available to all students, faculty and staff in the University system.
The General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form is for students, staff and faculty. We encourage all members of our community to utilize the General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form if they have experienced, witnessed or learned of a hate/bias incident.
Anyone who has experienced, witnessed or learned of a hate/bias incident should complete this form.
You may fill out as much or as little information as you choose, but in order for the University to respond most effectively, it is important to include as much information as possible. Please include your name if you wish to be contacted. If you are under 18 years of age, there may be situations where an official police report will need to be made. If you are under 18 years of age and do not want to make an official police report, do not include your name on this form.
If you’ve experienced or witnessed hate/bias follow the steps below:
- Ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and those around you. Should you feel unsafe, call 911.
- Once you feel secure, document as much of the incident as possible, which includes taking pictures should there be visible evidence.
- Submit a report by completing a General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form and attach any documentation that you may have collected.
If you are in a position to play a supporting role, keep in mind that victims/targets of hate typically have three essential and immediate needs:
- The need to feel safe.
- The need to be heard.
- The need to know what happens next.
Do what you can to create safety, display empathy and then explore and communicate action steps.
You are encouraged to report regardless of whether you are certain it is a hate/bias incident. A University Administrator, in confidential consultation with the UMN Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, Office of Equity and Diversity and/or other System-level experts (if needed), will determine if it is an issue of potential hate/bias and move forward accordingly.
Regardless of intentions, there is always an impact on the other end and therefore a General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form should be completed in these situations as well.
The campus community and climate extends beyond on-campus incidents and occurrences.
General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Reports involving only students will be reviewed by the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success, Engagement, and Equity. General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Reports that involve staff or faculty will be reviewed by the Director of Employee Engagement, Development, and Wellbeing. In all cases, these administrators will work in consultation with the University of Minnesota’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action to determine if a formal investigation and hearing should be pursued.
The total number of General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Reports that are completed each month will be shared with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Reports are also documented for Campus Climate reporting for educational purposes. Using examples of hate/bias is an effective way to engage our community in conversations regarding hate, bias and inclusion.
One of UMR’s core values is Diversity and Inclusiveness; UMR is committed to fostering a diverse, welcoming campus climate. UMR views hate/bias incidents and all prejudice or intolerance as contradictory to our core values. All such incidents must be addressed appropriately.
If you file a General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form, you will have the option to have a conversation with someone about the incident. Regardless of whether you file a General Incident/Hate/Bias Concern Form, there are many resources available to you.
Students are encouraged to reach out to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success, Engagement, and Equity and/or any faculty or staff they feel comfortable sharing with and are welcome to contact Counseling Services.
All staff and faculty are encouraged to connect with the Director of Employee Engagement, Development, and Wellbeing. Eligible staff and faculty are able to connect with the Employee Assistance Program.
Students, staff or faculty who have been identified as respondents* will be investigated in a manner consistent with the impact of the incident. Should the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success or Director of Employee Engagement, Development, and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Student Conduct Committee and the University of Minnesota Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and other applicable committees, deem the incident a violation of the University of Minnesota Student Conduct Code or other applicable policies, the perpetrator will be informed about the student conduct or Human Resources hearing procedures.
* The respondent is the person who might have engaged in sexual misconduct, discrimination, discriminatory harassment or hateful language and/or hate crimes.
As with all reports, the process is confidential. Students, staff or faculty, who have been identified as respondents* will be investigated in a manner consistent with the impact of the incident. Should the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success or the Director of Employee Engagement, Development, and Wellbeing, in consultation with the complainant, the Student Conduct Committee, and the the University of Minnesota Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, deem the incident a violation of the University of Minnesota Student Conduct Code or other applicable policies, the respondent* will be informed about the potential student conduct or Human Resources hearing procedures.
* The respondent is the person who might have engaged in sexual misconduct, discrimination, discriminatory harassment or hateful language and/or hate crimes.
