Bias Incident Reporting Form
If you have a bias incident to report, please fill out the bias incident reporting form.
Bias Reporting
MSOE’s DEIB Mission
MSOE’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is demonstrated through our appreciation for human differences and our culture of inclusion and respect. It calls on each member of our community to ensure the fair and just treatment of every stakeholder and to cultivate an environment where all are comfortable and appreciated for their unique values, experiences, and beliefs.
Definitions
Bias: Bias is a prejudice for or against something or someone, usually in a way that is considered unfair. Biases can be conscious or unconscious, explicit or implicit. In addition, biases can be institutionalized into policies, practices, and structures.
Bigotry: Bigotry is an unreasonable attachment to a belief or opinion; it can also be a prejudice against a person or group of people based on their membership in a particular group.
Discrimination: Discrimination is prejudicial treatment which favors one group over others in the provision of goods, services, or opportunities.
Harassment: Harassment is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion to an individual because of an individual’s protected status, when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual or third party’s academic or work performance; creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual or third party’s academic or employment opportunities. Harassment may include but is not limited to verbal abuse or ridicule, including slurs, epithets, and stereotyping; offensive jokes and comments; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts, and displaying or distributing offensive materials, writings, graffiti, or pictures. Harassment may include conduct carried out through the internet, email, social media, or other electronic means. Protected categories in Wisconsin include age (40 and older), race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), disability, arrest record, conviction record, marital status, military service, or any other factors prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
Hate crime: In Wisconsin, a hate crime is a crime that is committed, in whole or in part, because of the actor’s belief or perception regarding race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry of that person, regardless of whether the actor’s belief or perception was correct.
Purpose of the Bias Reporting System
MSOE is committed to fostering a community of respect and inclusivity for the benefit of our entire campus community. Bias reporting provides all MSOE students, staff, faculty, and visitors with an avenue to report instances of bias, hate, or bigotry that occur on campus. Actions by University members that occur at remote locations, including university sponsored activities and programs, are considered to be on campus.
Through the use of the Bias Reporting System, we are better able to:
- Support individuals who are targeted by perceived bias‐related incidents and provide optional support resources to those targeted in a bias‐related or hate incident;
- Educate individuals and groups who, whether intentionally or not, may have caused harm to others related to some form of bias; and
- Assess reported incidents and track the data annually, we are able to understand the climate of MSOE as it relates to bias.
The purpose of the bias reporting system is not to censor or police thoughts on campus.
Bias Reporting Q&A
Find answers to commons questions surrounding bias reporting.
The Bias Response Team (BRT)
The MSOE Bias Response Team (BRT) is a committee of university stakeholders focused on a neutral approach to a resolution to a bias report. The team focus is based on three goals:
- Support for community members who have witnessed or been the target of bias‐related incidents;
- Referrals to resources that provide ongoing support; and
- Education on topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Examples of resolutions can include (but are not limited to): mediation, counseling, further professional/educational development, referral to an internal department, and referral to an external agency.
The bias response team does not replace the existence of any policies and procedures in place for addressing violations related to student and employee conduct, sexual harassment, discrimination, or other criminal or university violations. MSOE may forward reports (or details within) to outside agencies, when compelled by law.
Bias Response Team Members
- Seandra Mitchell, Vice President of Student Affairs and Campus Inclusion
- Dr. Eric Baumgartner, Executive VP of Academics
- Dr. Kip Kussman, Dean of Students / Member of Faculty & Staff Diversity Council
- Rebecca Ploeckelman, Director of Human Resources
- Billy Fyfe, Director of Public Safety
- Candela Marini, Assistant Professor (HSED) / Member of Faculty & Staff Diversity Council
- Katie Toske, Director of Multicultural Affairs / Member of Faculty & Staff Diversity Council
Note: In specific instances, when appropriate, the MSOE’s external legal team may be consulted. In addition, some members of the Bias Response Team may change on an annual basis.