UIndy Bias Incident Reporting and Protocol

The University of Indianapolis is a welcoming and inclusive environment, and is committed to providing a safe living, learning and working environment for all of its community members. Actions and behaviors that are aligned with ideologies that may impede equity and inclusivity are not tolerated by the university. The following protocol offers definitions and procedures to follow when confronted with bias incidents. The University is committed to the care and support of any targets of these incidents.

Definitions

• Target - Refers to any person or persons negatively impacted by a bias incident.
• Bystander/Witness - Refers to any person or persons that see or overhear a bias incident occurring.
• Hate or Bias Incident - A hate or bias incident occurs when behaviors (verbal or non-verbal) by an individual or group are perceived to be malicious (hate) or discriminatory (bias) toward another individual or group based on actual or perceived characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or any situation in which inter-group tensions exist based on such group characteristics. Hate and bias acts may be violations of federal criminal law, such as hate crimes. All hate crimes are considered bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are considered hate crimes.

See Notice of Non-Discrimination

Circumstances When the Protocol is Initiated

Reporting Bias Incidents

The University of Indianapolis encourages the immediate reporting of all bias incidents, whether directly or confidentially, that occur on campus, University-owned property, or at University-sponsored events occurring off-campus. It is advised that the scene of the incident be preserved (vandalism, damage, etc.) until the University Police can investigate. Personal well-being and safety are a priority to the University.

If you are involved in, or are a witness to, a bias incident, please make sure you are not in threat of or in actual physical danger when reporting. In the event of an emergency or to report a crime/ incident in progress, please call 911. When calling 911 from residence hall rooms or university offices, you must use the 9 prefix (9-911).

Bias incidents may be reported to any of the following locations around campus and may be fully investigated:

• Campus Police: 317-778-3386
• Chief Inclusion Officer: 317-788-2412
• Associate Dean of Students: 317-791-2562

For students - Any Residence Hall Director

For faculty, staff, others - Any Dean, Director, Manager, Supervisor, or Chair of a department

Bias Incident Response

When a bias incident is reported, the Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer will review the report and contact the reporting party to confirm receipt. The Vice President will determine next steps, which may include meeting with the reporting party of target to:

1. Offer any support and assistance to the target.
2. Determine a communications and follow-up plan regarding the incident.
3. Determine any potential programming needed to educate the campus community.

The names of students alleged to have committed bias incidents that may violate the University Student Code of Conduct will be referred to Student Conduct Office for further action. The names of faculty, staff, and/ or administrators alleged to have committed bias incidents that may violate University policy will be referred to their supervisors and Human Resources for further action. The University strictly prohibits retaliation of any kind by any of the involved parties or their associates.

Communication with the University Community

The President or Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer may notify the University community of reported hate or bias incidents as they occur. The reports will give a general overview of the incident, omitting information to protect the privacy of the parties involved, and detailing the steps the University is taking to remedy the situation. If the incident warrants immediate notification to the University community (i.e. a safety concern), The Vice President for Campus and Student Affairs will coordinate with the Vice President for Communications and Marketing for a notice to be distributed in a timely manner. The efforts outlined in this protocol will hopefully lead to the remedy and prevention of bias related incidents at the University of Indianapolis.