This is a resource for anyone who needs to report an incident of bias or wants to explore and better understand issues like bias and discrimination, and how to effectively respond.

What is Bias?

Bias incidents are acts or behaviors motivated by the offender's bias against any combination but not limited to identities such as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

While these acts do not necessarily rise to the level of a crime, a violation of state law, University policy, or the Student Code of Conduct, a bias act may contribute to creating an unsafe, negative, or unwelcome environment for the victim; anyone who shares the same social identity as the victim; and/or, community members of the University.

Make a Report

The reporting process is open to anyone affiliated with the University of Washington Tacoma campus including Faculty, Staff, Students and Visitors. Reports can be submitted anonymously. For emergency situations please call UW Tacoma Campus Safety at 253-692-4416 or for emergency situations, please call 9-1-1.

If you wish to speak to a person directly and have them help you fill out the online form, please feel free to contact any of the offices listed below:

Center for Equity and Inclusion: 253-692-4776

Office of the Ombud: 253-692-4476

Academic Human Resources: 253-692-4305

Review Process:

Reviewed by Bias Incident Reporting Committee (BIRC)

Action

Individual Action

  • Interview
  • Mediate or adjudicate, hold accountable
  • File report, criminally investigate
  • Referral to Student Conduct
  • Crime Alerts
  • Contact office, Human Resources, employee action/mediation
  • Prepare any campus or local communications

Community Action

  • Written communication
  • Community meetings
  • Counseling Center
  • Open door discussions with support by offices, CEI, other identity based leaders

Closure

Once a form is submitted, an initial review will commence. Those who submit a form can expect a reply within two business days.  Should you need to talk to someone outside university business hours, please contact Safe Campus (253-692-7223) as they are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  

Response:

What will happen as a result of my report?

The Institutional response may include, but is not limited to:

  • Notice to the community about the incident
  • Individual outreach to affected party
  • Offers of support and assistance to affected individuals/communities (typically in form of counseling)
  • Educational workshops or seminars
  • Removal of graffiti or flyers
  • Connecting affected parties to relevant resources
  • Tracking of incident(s)
  • Starting proceedings under the student conduct code, the general campus conduct code, or processes under other UW policies

 

We want to stress that this committee is not designed to be punitive. Its operational precepts are based on restorative justice. The committee will decide appropriate measures on a case-by-case basis with the goal of having the campus grow in its understanding and embracing of equity issues. To request disability accommodation, including American Sign Language interpretation, contact the Disability Resources for Students office at 253-692-4508, drsuwt@uw.edu or submit a request at http://www.tacoma.uw.edu/UWTDRS/eventaccess. The University of Washington Tacoma makes every effort to honor disability accommodation requests. Requests can be responded to most effectively if received as far in advance of the event as possible, preferably at least 10 days.