Bias Incident Reporting

Bias-related incidents are expressions of hostility against another individual (or group) because of the other person’s (or group’s) race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity and/or expression and/or sexual orientation, or because the perpetrator perceives that the other person (or group) has one or more of these characteristics. Depending on the circumstances, a bias-related incident may not be a crime and may be protected speech. Circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the activity and/or behavior is considered “protected” by the First Amendment.

The option to report a bias-related incident provides individuals with a formal channel to address instances of discrimination, prejudice, or unfair treatment based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. Reporting mechanisms are crucial for promoting accountability and fostering an inclusive environment.

Responding to Hate Crimes and Bias-related Incidents
Bias-related incidents need to be addressed because they reinforce the status quo, harm individuals, undermine civility and understanding in the HMC community and/or impede the educational process. Public discussion and education can promote awareness of prejudice and examination of the values that underlie the HMC community.

There are several options to report bias-related incidents:

• Submit a Bias-Related Incident Report
• Contact the Dean on Call via Campus Safety at 909.607.2000
• Contact the Division of Student Affairs at dean_of_students@hmc.edu

Student(s) can remain anonymous, however, it can limit the ability to gather information needed to respond to a report.

For more information on the Hate Crimes and Bias-related Incident Protocol, see campus policies in the Student Handbook.