Report A Bias Incident

Have you experienced bias?

Have you experienced or witnessed an incident of bias? We want to know about it. Specific offices and administrators are here to support you. Responses to this form are kept confidential.

Report a bias incident >

What is a bias incident?

A bias incident is an act of prejudice against an individual or groups based on their actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, disability, creed or any other protected class.

Examples may include the following, if there is evidence that the target or victim was chosen because of a characteristic such as those listed above:

vandalism to personal or college property
intimidating comments, messages, or behaviors
defacement of posters or signs
disparate treatment

It is important to note that just because the expression of an idea or point of view may be offensive or inflammatory to some, may not necessarily be a bias-related incident. Furthermore, political affiliation is not a protected class. If you experience harassment or threats based on political affiliation, please submit your concerns to the Dean of Students, Human Resources, or Academic Affairs.

What happens when you report a bias incident?

Report and Intake 1. Bias incident report is submitted. 2. BIRT Committee reviews report and assigns case to BIRT manager. 3. BIRT manager reviews case, then schedules and conducts intake meeting with reporter, consulting BIRT Committee as needed.

Review and Consult

4. BIRT manager provides case summary to BIRT Committee.
5. BIRT Committee consults to determine potential for bias and recommendations for next actions.
6. BIRT Committee presents case summary, potential for bias, relevant policies/precedents, and recommendations for next actions to partner offices.

Response and Tracking

7. Partner offices initiate next actions, including investigations. BIRT Committee supports action as needed and makes bias designation once info from investigations is provided.
8. BIRT Committee provides case closure information with bias designation to relevant parties. Partner offices take action as relevant/appropriate, re: policies and handbook.
9. Completed bias report is integrated into bias incident log to be tracked, assessed, and published annually.

Bias Incident Response and Tracking at Grinnell College

Bias incidents reports are addressed by the Grinnell College Bias Incident Response and Tracking (BIRT) Committee. Through the bias incident response process outlined above, the BIRT Committee seeks to uphold institutional values, maintain legal compliance, provide data for institutional response, and prioritize communal, institutional, and academic restoration through support and resources.

Collapse All

Who is involved in bias incident response?

Working towards an inclusive campus is a community wide effort. In the case of a bias incident, key individuals play a central role in responding

The BIRT Committee, comprised of individuals in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, oversee the BIRT process, and identify trends of discrimination and bias to prepare institutional partners to act and properly assess climate.

BIRT Managers, comprised of trained campus leaders, are assigned by BIRT Committee serve as direct responders to reported bias incidents.

Partner Offices for Intervention, such as the Dean of Students, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources help determine follow up action and identify necessary resources in response to the reported incident.

Additionally, reports of possible criminal conduct will be referred to Grinnell College Campus Safety. Potential Title IX violations will be referred to the Title IX Coordinator. Conduct with could violate the Student Handbook will be referred to the Dean of Students. Possible violations of the Employee Handbook will be referred to the Office of Human Resources. Potential violations of the Academic Handbook will be referred to Academic Affairs.

Discrimination or Harassment

The College encourages a workplace and learning environment free of discrimination, harassment, and/or inappropriate treatment and does not condone or tolerate any inappropriate conduct of any employee, student, or guest because of any person's race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, disability, creed or any other protected class protected under federal, state or local law. To be unlawful, conduct must be sufficiently serious that it unreasonably interferes with an employee's ability to work or a student's ability to learn or benefit from the College's programming.

The College also recognizes the fundamental importance of the open and free exchange of ideas and opinions. It recognizes that conflicts may arise between individuals' desires to express their opinions and the right of individuals to be free from harassment. The College also recognizes that every act that might be offensive to an individual or a group is not necessarily a violation of the law or of this policy.

You can read more about the College's Nondiscrimination Policy (including sexual and gender-based harassment) and Grievance Procedures. Additional information can be found in the Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and Staff Handbook (login required).

Note: Not all bias incidents constitute discrimination or harassment under these policies. However, even if a bias incident does not constitute harassment, we can and will respond to address hurtful behavior and to support the targeted individual or group.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Partners

In addition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division staff members, Grinnell College has an extensive network of DEI professionals embedded throughout the institution with whom we partner to provide counsel and focus on DEI practices, policies, and programming.

Grinnell College International Student Organization Cabinet for 2019-20

Achieving Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals

Grinnell College utilizes a Four Quadrant Model philosophy and comprehensive approach to achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus.

Keira Wilson, Assistant Director of Service and Social Innovation for Careers, Life, and Service, advises students in her office

Student Health and Wellness at Grinnell

Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) advances Grinnell College’s mission and strategic plan by providing person-centered care and services supporting the physical, mental, and social well-being of all students, as well as supporting the holistic health of the campus community.