Reporting Tool

The Inclusion Bias Reporting Tool was developed as an online portal to receive complaints and concerns from Heritage College students about issues related to diversity and inclusion. We created this Bias Reporting Tool because we know that inappropriate, hurtful and/or harmful incidents can take place in any community. This form is meant as an opportunity for students to inform the college when these incidents occur, so we may validate the student’s experience, assist the student and/or intervene in ongoing situations.

This Bias Reporting Tool is not a replacement for the value of interpersonal relationships. The Office of Inclusion may be your first stop, but we want every student to feel comfortable connecting with any faculty or staff member of Heritage College when they need to report an issue. These individual conversations are what will continue to move us forward in addressing issues of bias and discrimination.

Ohio University policy defines hate-motivated offenses as conduct (harassment or physical acts) directed at an individual(s) on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability with intention to intimidate or injure an individual(s) physically, mentally or emotionally. Hate-motivated offenses compromise the integrity of the Ohio University community and may constitute violations of the A-4 (Mental or Bodily Harm to Others) and A-5 (Discrimination) provisions of the Ohio University Student Code of Conduct.

Bias incidents can be defined as acts or behaviors motivated by the offender's bias, consciously or unconsciously, against age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. These issues may or may not rise to the level of criminal conduct.

Ohio University seeks to foster a safe environment conducive to learning and the free exchange of ideas. As such, Ohio University does not limit constitutionally protected speech. Ohio University, however, is steadfast in its intolerance for hateful behavior that is directed at an individual(s) with the motivation of causing harm.

We strongly urge you to use this Bias Reporting Tool. The success of this Bias Reporting Tool depends on a culture of use. The use of this Bias Reporting Tool is important because we will better understand what is happening inside our community and in the spaces where we send students for CCEs and rotations. While we can never guarantee an outcome or resolution, reporting biased incidents allows us to better understand the environments that our students occupy.

This information is critical for our ability to assist you, to intervene and to continue to develop a welcoming and supportive environment for all of our students.

We recognize that reporting biased incidents can place students in vulnerable positions. We are committed to creating spaces for students to share their experiences free from negative repercussions. Further, we are committed to finding resolutions that feel fair and productive. Some of the ways we’ll work to protect your interests include:

• Limiting who sees the initial report
• Limiting who is involved in these discussions to a “need to know” basis
• Interfacing with you through Office of Inclusion staff who understand the importance of privacy and security around these kinds of very sensitive issues

Yes. You may report anonymously. We recognize that there are times when it doesn’t feel safe to submit a Bias Report using your name and contact information, or in situations where you want to share for informational purposes only. However, it is important to note that anonymous bias reporting will not allow Office of Inclusion staff to contact you to discuss the incident.

We strongly encourage you to provide your contact information when you are comfortable so that we can discuss the specifics of the biased incident and possible resolutions or interventions with you.

If you submit a Bias Report anonymously, Office of Inclusion staff will receive a note containing the information you provide. We can use that for informational purposes and to design interventions as needed.

If you provide your contact information, the Assistant Director of Inclusion on your campus will contact you directly. After your discussion, we may mutually decide to move forward with other actions. This Bias Reporting Tool is meant to help us intervene in sensitive, productive ways to improve outcomes and environments.

**Importantly, reports involving gender-based harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct or sex-related assault will be immediately forwarded to the Ohio University Office of Equity and Civil Rights Complaince.

Your initial Bias Report will be shared with the individuals listed below. Additional sharing may occur depending on the details of your situation, as well as your discussions with the Chief Inclusion Officer or Assistant Directors of Inclusion. If contact information is provided, you will be contacted within 48 hours.

1. Dr. Tanisha King, Heritage College Chief Inclusion Officer
2. Kelly Davidson, Assistant Director of Inclusion, Athens Campus
3. Dr. Sarah Gaskell, Assistant Director of Inclusion, Dublin Campus

The primary difference between the use of the professionalism form and the use of the Bias Reporting Tool is that the latter should only be used when behavior is exhibited that calls into question a person’s ability to appropriately and professionally respond to issues of diversity and inclusion.

For example, if a student makes a comment that is discriminatory toward someone based on race, gender, sexuality, etc., the inclusion form should be used. Even though that is an issue of professionalism, the more pressing issue is dealing with the motivation behind the comment.

Yes! Reporting as a bystander is just as valuable as reporting incidents you’ve personally experienced. It alerts the college to what’s happening and helps us tailor initiatives and interventions going forward.