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Bias Incident Response Protocol

What is a bias incident?

Generally, bias incidents are acts characterized by some expression of bias against a particular group, or towards an individual because of their membership (or perceived membership) in that group. Bias incidents may range from acts considered to be offensive to actions that cause harm.

Although bias incidents sometimes constitute hate crimes or discrimination (as defined under the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy), not all bias incidents rise to the level of a hate crime or discrimination.

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is a criminal act (against person or property) that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s hate or bias towards a particular individual or group because of membership in that group (as defined by law). Bias incidents are sometimes considered to be hate crimes, but not always.

Report a bias incident

To report a bias incident, you may email BiasSupport@umd.edu or submit a report online.

BISS Reporting Protocol

When a Bias Incident Report is Received:

BISS will...

Share Information

  • Daily website updates showing incident numbers and trends
  • Bi-weekly response team meetings & monthly student advisory group meetings

BISS may...

Refer (As Needed)

*Note: BISS is not a sanctioning body and does not determine or implement consequences

Other Reporting Options

UMPD (criminal activity)

301-405-3555

or #3333 (from most cell phones)

Office of Student Conduct (student policy violation)

studentconduct@umd.edu

go.umd.edu/oscreport

Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct

civilrights@umd.edu


CONFIDENTIAL CAMPUS RESOURCES:

Counseling Center

301-314-7651

CARE to Stop Violence

301-741-3442

uhc-care@umd.edu

Resources

Download the Bias Incident Support Service Protocol as a pdf Download the Bias Incident Support Services Protocol as an accessible text file.

The purpose of the bias incident response protocol is to create a more inclusive and safe environment for the campus community by ensuring that there is an accessible venue to report bias incidents. This is a continuous improvement process and the protocol will continue to be refined through feedback from our campus community. Please contact Bias Incident Support Services at BiasSupport@umd.edu or 301-405-0980 with any questions or suggestions.