Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action

Home > EOAA Services: Complaints, Consulting, & Reporting: Bias Incidents

Bias Incidents

Bias-Related Incident Response

PLEASE LET US KNOW if you, someone you know, or a group within our university community, has experienced bias, discrimination or hostility.  We are concerned about incidents based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and/or sexual orientation.  The University of Minnesota is ready and willing to provide support, and address disrespectful bias and discrimination within our community. We need to know what happens and how often, so that we can respond and help those who are targeted.  By reporting incidents, you become part of the solution.

We encourage you to report potential crimes directly to the police and incidents that occur in University housing to the local Housing and Residential Life staff.  If those people are not easily available or appropriate, please use Bias / Discrimination / Harassment Reporting Form.

What do we mean by "bias incident"?  Expressions of disrespectful bias, hate, harassment or hostility against an individual or group because of the individual or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and/or sexual orientation can be forms of discrimination.  Expressions vary, and can be in the form of language, words, signs, symbols, threats, or actions that could potentially cause alarm, anger, fear, or resentment in others, or that endanger the health, safety, and welfare of a member(s) of the University community, even when presented as a joke. 

Minnesota does not have a "hate crimes law." Instead, the Legislature has identified particular crimes that, if perpetrated because of the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin, trigger heightened penalties.  Included crimes are criminal damage to property, assault, and harassment/stalking.  If you think an incident might be a crime, please report it by calling 911.  

Reasons for reporting an incident:

  • So you or someone you know can receive support

  • So any damage to property can be repaired

  • So we can follow-up with any alleged perpetrators

  • So we can track campus climate and work towards improving it

  • So we can try to prevent further acts of bias

  • Because suffering in silence can be a suffocating experience

The conduct underlying some bias incidents might be protected speech, but still violate the University of Minnesota's commitment to civility and diversity. Constitutional rights will continue to be protected, but University staff will also exercise their right to speak and engage in educational dialogue.

The University of Minnesota's Mission Statement commits us to "establish and nurture an environment that actively acknowledges and values diversity and is free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice, intolerance or harassment."  Be an ally, and help us achieve this goal.

Twin City Campus Resources

Many University of Minnesota offices and staff members are willing to assist you, and provide support.  If you are unsure of whom to call, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at (612) 624-9547, or the Office for Student Affairs at (612) 624-3560.   We are able to work with you directly or connect you with the resources of your choosing.

Additional Resources:

Updated 04/06/2011