Marymount Manhattan College

The purpose of the Bias Incident Response Team is to assess and coordinate the response to bias-related campus incidents.

The Bias Incident Response Team will investigate reported bias-related incidents to determine whether an incident is bias-related, and to recommend appropriate outcomes for the incident, including the necessity of involvement from law enforcement or other outside agencies.

What is a Hate Crime or Bias Incident?

A hate crime is an act of violence motivated by intolerance and bigotry.  New York state law defines a hate crime as a criminal act involving violence, intimidation and destruction of property based upon bias and prejudice.  Victims of hate crimes are intentionally selected, in whole or in part, because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation. Hate crimes are punishable by law and handled by the police, like any other criminal act.

 

A bias incident is like a hate crime in that it is an action or conduct committed against a person that is also motivated by intolerance and bigotry, however the conduct may not rise to the level of a criminal act.  In addition, a bias incident may include verbal and nonverbal behavior that is threatening, harassing and intimidating.  All hate crimes are bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are considered hate crimes, depending on the facts and circumstances involved. Bias incidents are considered violations of the College’s Code of Conduct and Policy Against Harassment and Unlawful Discrimination.

 

Marymount Manhattan College is committed to creating a campus that is both safe and inclusive for students from all social identity categories. Misconduct that is motivated by intolerance and bigotry has no place in our College community. Students are strongly encouraged to report hate crimes or bias incidents that occur on campus or at College-sponsored activities to the Bias Incident Response Team.     

 

What is the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)?

The purpose of the Bias Incident Response Team is to assess and coordinate the response to bias-related campus incidents. The Bias Incident Response Team will investigate reported bias-related incidents to determine whether an incident is bias-related, and to recommend appropriate outcomes for the incident, including the necessity of involvement from law enforcement or other outside agencies.

 

Bias Incident Response Team Members

  • Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
  • Dean of Students
  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Director of Campus Safety
  • Director of Human Resources
  • Director of Student Development and Activities
  • Assistant Director of Web and Communications (serving as PR representative)
  • Faculty member, recommended by the VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty

Reporting a Bias Incident

Any member of the MMC Community may report an incident to any Bias Incident Response Team member either in writing, via MMC email, or via the online reporting link below. Once reported, an investigation of the incident will be conducted in a timely manner and appropriate actions will be taken.

Report a Bias Incident

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