Bias Response

Bias Response

Definition

Bias-related incidents are behaviors which constitute an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability or alienage. According to New York Penal Law Section 485, a person commits a hate crime when he or she commits a specified criminal offense and either:

  1. Intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct, or
  2. Intentionally commits the act or acts constituting the offense in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.

What is a bias related/discrimination related incident?

Bias related/discrimination incidents typically refer to acts or behaviors that violate campus policies and procedures and/or local, state or federal laws and regulations (in a discriminatory or biased manner) and is reasonably believed to be motivated by a consideration (real or perceived) involving a protected classification such as race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, gender, national origin, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, and/or as otherwise defined by state or federal law.

How does the college respond to these type of incidents?

Here are the procedural steps we take when responding to incidents that involve members of our campus community:

  • Focus on safety first.
  • Denounce hateful acts, address fears and reiterate our campus values.
  • Provide supportive resources and services to the individual(s) that were affected.
  • Mobilize and involve the entire campus community (students, faculty, staff and leadership) in finding solutions and resolving the matter.
  • Conduct a thorough, comprehensive and unbiased investigation to get the facts.
  • Recommend and implement changes to College policy and procedures to remove and eliminate potential systemic barriers.
  • When necessary and determined, enforce appropriate consequences.
  • Continually work towards and fostering unity, cohesion and synergy on our campus.

    The Bias Response Team

    The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee (DEI) serves as Queens College bias response team. The Bias Response Team is a cross representative team of Queens College community members that review, assess, and respond to crisis level high-impact global campus-wide incidents of bias and/or discrimination that may occur. This team is mobilized to determine necessary action and communications in a timely manner.

      How to Report 

      For more information on NYC Hate Crimes and resources please see NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes or the “NYS Hate and Bias Prevention Unit.”

      For more information on how to report discrimination or retaliation see CUNY University-Wide Discrimination and Retaliation Reporting Portal.