Bias Reporting Tool
x
UIC is 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. Numerous studies have documented the harm that bias, when left unchecked, can have on individuals of a range of intersectional identities on a college campus. The Bias Reporting Tool provides a place for students, faculty, and staff to report incidents of bias and have their concerns heard, as well as opportunities for education for both those who may have engaged in biased behavior and the campus community at large.
The goals of the Bias Supporting Response process are as follows:
- Provide an easily accessible and usable system for the campus community to report bias incidents.
- Support members of the UIC community who have been impacted by bias incidents.
- Center the concerns and hopes of those who report bias incidents in the response process. Including, if at all possible, letting them play a role in addressing the bias incident.
- Collect data and review trends of bias incidents in order to better understand the complex needs and challenges facing the campus.
Report an Incident with the Bias Reporting Tool
Frequently Asked Questions - Bias Reporting
x
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 is not the same as unlawful discrimination or harassment.
Unlawful discrimination is treating someone differently because of their membership in a Protected Category (or a perception that someone is a member of a Protected Category) in matters of admissions, employment, housing, services, or any other educational programs or activities of the University.
Unlawful harassment is verbal or physical conduct (including conduct using technology) directed toward an individual because of their membership in a Protected Category (or a perception that someone is a member of a Protected Category) that has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s educational or work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.
If you wish to report unlawful harassment and/or discrimination, please complete the Office of Access & Equity form.
x
Once you have filled out the form, it will initially be assessed by the Office for Access and Equity and then reviewed by members of the Bias Support Team. Reports involving faculty and staff will be referred to and/or reviewed in coordination with the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office for Engagement.
x
The tool is designed to be used by all members of the UIC community, including students, faculty and staff.
x
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.
x
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.
x
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.
x
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.