South Puget Sound Community College

Bias-Motivated Incident Response Team (BIRT)

When a hate crime occurs on a college campus, the ideal of a college as a place for learning and growth is disrupted. Bias-motivated violence or threats targeting students and staff not only impair the college's mission but also deprive of everyone the chance to learn and work in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation. No college is immune to the risk of hate motivated violence.

A hate crime can, generally, be defined as a crime which in whole or in part is motivated by the offender's bias toward the victim's status. Hate crimes include: murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, forcible and non-forcible sex offenses, intimidations, stalking, harassment, vandalism and any other crimes against any person or property in which the victim (s) is intentionally selected because of actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, veteran's status or disability of the victim.

A bias-motivated incident is an action which does not rise to the level of a crime but in which a person is made aware that her/his status, merely by virtue of characteristics of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, veteran's status, or disability, is offensive to another. These include, but are not limited to, harassment and verbal slurs.

BIRT Purpose and Composition

The Bias-Motivated Incident response Team (BIRT) addresses campus climate issues related to bias-motivated incidents and crimes and acts as advocates for persons affected by such incidents. The team is comprised of:

Director of Diversity and Equity Office
Dean Student Support Services
Vice President for Human Resources
Vice President for Student Services
Director of Security Campus Security
Dean of College Relations Office
Vice President for Instruction
Dean of Student Life

Depending on the nature of the incident other departments may be involved (e.g. Disability Support Services and International Student Services)

Campus Response

A bias-motivated incident or crime should be immediately reported to the BIRT Coordinator (Director of Campus Security) for review. Depending on the nature of the event the BIRT will be activated. BIRT will communicate with the college community and media as appropriate. All hate crimes are reported to law enforcement via Campus Security. The following are some factors considered in making a determination of whether the incident is a suspected bias incident or crime:

• Is the motivation of the alleged offender known?
• Is there evidence the event was motivated by racial, religious, ethnic, gender, disability or sexual orientation bias? If so, what is that evidence?
• Does the victim perceive the action of the offender to have been motivated by bias? If so, on what basis or grounds?
• Have there recently been any other incidents or crimes involving any person or properties which are known to represent a hate group or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, veteran's status, or disability of the victim.
• What, if anything, do the demographics of the area tell you about the incident?

If these or other factors indicate that the offender may have been motivated by bias, the incident or crime should be classified as a suspected bias-motivated incident or crime.

Reporting and Assistance

The college's highest concern is for the emotional and physical well being of persons affected by a bias-motivated incident or hate crime. Persons affected shall have access to all college services that can help them maintain emotional and psychological well-being and provide for their safety. The BIRT Coordinator will be the first official college point of contact for facilitating access to needed services.

Members of the campus community who believe they are victims of a bias-motivated incident or crime should immediately report the incident. Although reporting is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Immediate reporting to campus security or law enforcement is an important factor in successful investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. While persons affected or victims are not required to pursue prosecution just because they report a crime, the reporting of a bias-motivated incident or hate crime may prevent others from being affected.

Any member of the college community can file a third party report with the BIRT Coordinator detailing a potential bias-motivated incident or hate crime. It is important to note that the college cannot initiate student judicial action or a criminal complaint against the alleged offender based on a third party report. However, the report is still encouraged, as it can provide important and useful information for protecting the community-at-large and connecting similar reports while simultaneously protecting the victim's anonymity to the extent permitted by law.

Legal Recourse and Disciplinary Actions

Where there is sufficient evidence to believe the college regulations prohibiting harassment, or physical/emotional abuse have been violated, the college may pursue disciplinary action according to college policy and the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities. The Student Code can be found at: http://spscc.ctc.edu/student_services/ code_of_rights_responsibilities.html, or a copy can be obtained at the Office of Student Life, Building 27, upstairs, lobby desk (Olympia campus); or at the lobby area, front desk at Hawks Prairie Center (Hawks Prairie Campus). Sanctions for persons found in violation of these policies or provisions may include expulsion from the college and termination of employment.

The college reserves the right to pursue disciplinary action in the case of off-campus incidents, when the alleged offender and behavior involved threatens the health, safety, and/or property of the college, its staff or students.

No individual shall be penalized or retaliated against in any way for his/her participation in the college's complaint process. An individual affected by a bias-motivated incident or hate crime has the right to avoid face-to-face interaction with the offender (if known) during any campus adjudicative hearings. It is the victim's right to decide whether or not to file a complaint. Campus authorities will assist victims in notifying proper law enforcement authorities.

Role of the BIRT Coordinator

The BIRT Coordinator will neither investigate nor adjudicate complaints relating to a bias-motivated incident or hate crime. In the event of a bias-motivated incident complaint, the BIRT Coordinator facilitates appropriate services that are available for the victim or witness. These may include:

• Crisis counseling
• Appropriate medical referral
• Referral to Student Support Services to meet with a college counselor
• Providing advice on the college's complaint process and procedures
• Contacting the victim/person affected within 24 hours and encouraging them to seek assistance.

In addition, the BIRT Coordinator:

• Encourages person(s) affected to report the occurrence to law enforcement.
• Notifies the following offices, or others as appropriate and with the victim's consent, to the extent allowed by law: Vice President for Student Services (if incident involves a student, either as the victim or the perpetrator), Vice President for Human Resources (if incident involves an employee, either as the victim or the perpetrator), Student Support Services - Counseling, and International Student Services (if either the victim or the alleged offender is involved in that program)
• Maintains confidentiality, to the extent permitted by law.
• Provide statistical information and data to Public Safety as required under the Jeanne Clery Act (www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/campus.html)

Third Party Involvement

Third Party individuals who are contacted by a person affected by a bias-motivated incident or hate crime should encourage that person to:

• Contact Campus Security and/or law enforcement to file a report.
• Report the incident to the BIRT Coordinator

If the victim wishes to speak only to the Third Party, then the Third Party should:

A. Ascertain whether the victim needs immediate medical assistance. Ask the victim directly if he/she is all right physically and call 911 for immediate medical assistance as needed.
B. Find out the victim's most critical concerns and respond in a non-judgmental way. Recommend appropriate resources for the victim and feel free to consult with the BIRT Coordinator for additional guidance. If anonymity is desired by the victim, then this request should be upheld, and applies to the BIRT Coordinator as well.
C. Remember, the person affected may wish to do nothing further, other than have a conversation with the Third Party.
D. Report the incident to Campus Security (names of victims are not required) so the college can comply with legal reporting requirements.

Education for Prevention

The Diversity and Equity Office is committed to providing effective education and outreach related to combating hate and bias on campus. This includes ally development, tolerance, self-actualization and reflection, sensitivity trainings and exposure to a variety of topics and issues that address multicultural issues.

The Diversity and Equity Office believes in the development of a set of cultural competencies that assist and prepare students for life after college. Programs and events include cultural celebrations, issue-based lectures and forums, advocacy trainings and personal development.

Contacts

Diversity and Equity Office 596-5383
Student Support Services - Counseling 596-5261
Vice President for Student Services 596-5231
Vice President for Human Resources 596-5360
Campus Security 596-5299
Safeplace (Sexual Assault & Domestic
Violence Services) 24-Hours Crisis Line 360-754-6300
Crisis Clinic (24 Hours) 360-586-2800
Police/Medic/Fire 911