Bias, Discrimination and Harassment Reporting Form
University of Wisconsin-Superior values equity, diversity and inclusion, and an environment free from discriminatory conduct. The university embraces and respects diversity of all kinds and is committed to providing a civil, safe, educational, and work environment that is free of intimidation for all members of the UW-Superior community.
UW-Superior takes seriously all acts of bias and/or hate of which it becomes aware. To that end, the university will respond appropriately by supporting the target(s) of such acts. The response includes conducting an investigation; supporting the taking appropriate action against the person(s) found to be responsible; advising the UW-Superior community of the occurrence when appropriate; and implementing programs that educate against, prevent, and eliminate acts of bias and hate. Although not every incident will be a violation of university policy or law, all reported incidents will be reviewed for an appropriate response.
Definitions
Bias
The human tendency to make systematic errors in judgment or when making decisions based upon certain thinking, thoughts, or preconceived notions.
Bias Incident
A bias incident is characterized as a behavior or act – verbal, written, or physical – which is personally directed against or targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, veteran status, or age. Bias incidents may be engaged in intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes, we may express unconscious bias in ways that are harmful to others without realizing that we are doing so.
Bias incidents include, but are not limited to, name-calling, stereotyping, belittling, hate symbols, graffiti, racial and/or ethnic themed parties, or excluding others based on their identity. Some, but not all, bias incidents may rise to the level of discriminatory harassment, sexual misconduct, or other violations of policy or law.
Hate Crimes
A hate crime, also called a bias crime or bias-related crime, is criminal activity motivated, in whole or in part, by the perpetrator’s bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition to the victim, members of the victim’s group and the community as a whole can feel victimized by a hate crime.
Harassment
A form of discrimination (defined above) that encompasses an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical communications and/or conduct based on or motivated by an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, persistent or patently offensive that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that individual’s work or academic performance, or that creates a hostile working, educational or living environment. Harassment may include the use of epithets, stereotypes, slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display or circulation of written or visual material, taunts, and negative references related to any of these protected categories.
Microaggressions
Bias which does not rise to the level of a University policy violation (e.g. Discrimination, Harassment, etc.) or Hate Crime, in which everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their group membership. Microaggressions may be intentional or unintentional, and are generally protected by the First Amendment.
If you are reporting an incident that poses an imminent risk of harm to a person(s) or property, contact University Police at 715-394-8114 or call 911 (if on campus) or 9-1-1.
If you are unsure or would like to speak to someone about completing this report form, students can contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@uwsuper.edu or call 715-394-8244. Any employee can contact Human Resources at hr@uwsuper.edu or call 715-394-8220.