Report Bias or Hate
How to report an incident involving bias or hate at UW-Madison, including the actions taken following a report.
Hate or bias should never be part of the Wisconsin Experience. If you or someone you know is hurting, there are resources to provide support.
Hate or Bias should Never be part of the Wisconsin Experience
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all people. The institution values a diverse community where all members are able to fully participate in the Wisconsin Experience. As Chapter 17 of the UW System code states, the university can accomplish its educational mission only if living and learning environments are safe and free from violence, harassment and intimidation.
Incidents of bias or hate affecting a person or group negatively impact the quality of the Wisconsin Experience for community members. UW-Madison takes such incidents seriously and will respond appropriately to reported or observed incidents of bias or hate.
EXAMPLES OF BIAS AND HATE
Examples of bias and hate include, but are not limited to the following:
Degrading language
Epithets
Why should you report bias or hate
The purpose of the reporting system is to provide support and resources to the involved parties of bias or hate incidents impacting the UW-Madison community.
The reporting system allows the University to understand and respond to situations that affect UW-Madison students, to educate and inform the community about such events, and to create awareness of intolerance as it relates to bias or hate incidents.
The reporting system is primarily intended to be a resource for UW-Madison students. On occasion, the reporting system is utilized by faculty, staff and community members to report incidents that impact our student population.
How the reporting process works
A bias or hate incident is reported through the official reporting form.
When a report is submitted, a staff member will acknowledge receipt of report and offer to meet with the reporter to discuss next steps and connect them to resources. Reports may also be submitted anonymously which may limit the University's ability to respond to an incident. The Dean of Students Office highly values confidentiality, and only crucial or emergency information is shared to appropriate contacts.
Responses to incidents of bias or hate will vary depending on the severity of the event and can range from referrals to appropriate offices on campus to restorative conversations between the targeted individual and the respondent.
If the person reporting the incident requests follow-up, the Bias Response and Advocacy Coordinator will contact them to provide support and resources.
When the student code of conduct is violated, the Office of Conduct and Community Standards begins their own investigation and will determine possible sanctions. When criminal activity occurs, UWPD or Madison Police Department are notified and pursue their own investigation and respond accordingly.When cases involve faculty or staff as respondents, Human Resources and the Office of Compliance work on addressing the incident or concern.
An official log of the incident is made and published.
Support for those who experience bias or hate
Targeted individuals of bias or hate incidents may need immediate support. University Health Services (UHS) offers counseling and consultation.
The Multicultural Student Center also hosts discussion and dialogue groups on a weekly or bimonthly basis; they include Crossroads (LGBTQ+ students of color), Sisters in Solidarity (women of color), Ubuntu (Black and African American), and Tu Voz (Chicanx and Latinx). For more details visit msc.wisc.edu.
Targeted individuals are also encouraged to report the incident. If the person reporting the incident requests follow-up, the Bias Response and Advocacy Coordinator will contact them to provide support and resources.
Official definition of a bias incident
Single or multiple acts toward an individual, group, or their property that are so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that they create an unreasonably intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, learning, or program environment, and that one could reasonably conclude are based upon actual or perceived age, race, color, creed, religion, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, spirituality, cultural, socio-economic status, or any combination of these or other related factors.
The above definition is used for reporting and statistical purpose only. It carries no independent sanctioning weight or authority.
Although the expression of an idea or point of view may be offensive or inflammatory to some, it is not necessarily a violation of law or university policy. The university values and embraces the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression, all of which must be vitally sustained in a community of scholars. While these freedoms protect controversial ideas and differing views, and sometimes even offensive and hurtful words, they do not protect acts of misconduct that violate criminal law or university policy.
Incidents of bias can include, but are not limited to: microaggressions, slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, vandalism, intimidation, symbols, assault and harassment.
Who else can I talk to?
The Dean of Students Office works closely with many other campus partners. If a bias or hate reporter would rather utilize another campus resource, they can connect with any of the partners below. These partners may have their own arsenal of resources, and can help fill out a Bias or Hate Reporting form.
What is the Bias Response Advisory Board?
The purpose of the Bias Response Advisory Board is to advise the process of responding to incidents of bias or hate and also support the Bias Response and Advocacy Coordinator in their role as a student advocate.
Bias Advisory Board 2020-2021
Dr. Beth Meyerand, Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs, Provost Office
Brandon Springer, Student, Associated Students of Madison
Cleda Wang, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Inclusion, University Housing
Craig Mayer, Director of Maintenance, Facilities, Planning & Management
Dr. Christina Olstad, Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Elisa Lopez, Director of Clery Compliance, UW Police Department
Dr. Eric Williams, Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Student Diversity and Scholarship Programs, DDEEA
Gabe Javier, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Identity and Inclusion, Student Affairs
Heather Shimon, Science & Engineering Librarian, Libraries
Jenna Friedman, Assistant Director of Bias Response, Dean of Students Office
Dr. John Zumbrunnen, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, Provost Office
Kathy Kruse, Assistant Dean of Students, Dean of Students Office
Kipp Cox, Director of Academic Services, Graduate School
Luis A Piñero, Senior Special Assistant -Workforce Equity, Diversity Education, & Outreach, DDEEA
Dr. Mick Miyamoto, Special projects coordinator for student affairs, Student Affairs
Ryan Podolak, Student Conduct Coordinator, Office of Conduct and Community Standards
Sam Becker, Social Justice Education Specialist, Multicultural Student Center
Dr. Sarah Nolan, Director of Mental Health Services, University Health Services
Sheridan Blanford, Director of Inclusion & Engagement, Athletics
Tanya Hubanks, Interim Assistant Vice Provost, Provost Office
CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS More
RESPONSE PROCESS More
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REPORTING FACTS AND STATISTICS
Access current and historical data on bias incidents and sexual assaults at UW–Madison.
VIEW REPORTING FACTS AND STATISTICS
dean@studentlife.wisc.edu
Monday-Friday: 8:30am -4pm
during Fall and Spring semester
Crisis response:
Call Mental Health Services
608-265-5600 (option 9)
Dial 911 for immediate help from the
UW Police Department
UWPD Non-emergency line: 608-264-2677