Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access
Bias Reporting

If you are visiting this page, you or someone you know is or has likely experienced a hurtful event or situation. We at ESF know, we never want that to be part of your experience here and would want to immediately address the issue as well as provide you with resources you may need.

Bias Reporting System

ESF's bias reporting system provides ESF students, staff, and faculty with an avenue to report incidents of bias, bigotry, or hate that occur on our campus or in off-campus settings that impact ESF. Reports may be submitted anonymously or with the reporter's name included. Please note that submitting a report anonymously may impact ESF's ability to fully respond to your concerns. ESF Community members who feel they have been the target of bias (or who have witnessed a bias-related incident) may report the incident online, or contact these Title IX Authorities.

Bias Incident Reporting Form

The Bias Incident Reporting form is NOT for 911 or Emergency Service. Do not use this form to report events that present an immediate threat. If you require emergency assistance, please call ESF's University Police at 315-470-6666 or 911.

Your confidentiality and trust is very important to us! We will make every effort to respect your privacy. Please be aware, however, in certain circumstances involving safety or criminal action, we may not be able to guarantee anonymity.

Your contact information is optional and only necessary if you would like follow-up/feedback. Please use 'anonymous' in the name field if you wish to remain so.

Please note: Hard copies of the bias report form are available in any of these campus locations:

• Moon Library
• Admissions Office
• Student Affairs
• Human Resources
• Centennial Hall

You (or someone on your behalf) may submit a hard copy of the bias report form by: dropping it off at the Office of Inclusion Diversity and Equity, Baker Lab, Suite 221; mailing it (with or without a return address) to ESF, Attn: Rebecca Hoda-Kearse, Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer, rahodake@esf.edu, 315-565-3012

What happens when you report?

STEP 1: When ESF receives a bias report, the information is received by:

Questions? Contact Us.

Rebecca Hoda-Kearse
Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer
220 Bray Hall
 rahodake@esf.edu
 315-565-3012

STEP 2: Anonymous on-line reports: If the report is submitted anonymously, a determination is made as to whether the report is actionable. If no action is possible or warranted, the report is documented for the purposes of assessing campus climate and culture. If the incident is actionable, the report is documented and a determination is made regarding the key resources to be leveraged and best course of action.

All other on-line and in-person reports: The report is documented and a determination is made regarding the key resources to be leveraged in support of the impacted individual or group and broader campus community.

Examples of key resources facilitating the best course of action to meet the needs of the individual and/or groups impacted by the incident include:

• Counseling Services
• Student Affairs
• Human Resources
• University Police
• Graduate School
• Office of International Education
• Centennial Hall

Central to the university's response to a reported bias incident will be determining whether any violation of university policy occurred in connection with the incident. While the wishes and preferences of the person affected by the incident (the “reporting party”) will inform the actions that the university may take, the welfare of the community is measured against our policies and values must also drive our response. Within this context, if the reporting party requests that the report remain confidential, the university will make all reasonable attempts to comply with this request.

STEP 3: Guided by the key resources and individuals/groups impacted, additional campus entities will be consulted to consider best strategies for engaging broader community if deemed appropriate. These resources may include but are not limited to:

• Student Government
• Academic Governance
• Executive Cabinet

ESF expects students, staff, and faculty using the bias reporting system to make reports in good faith. ESF reserves the right to take disciplinary action against individuals who do not submit reports in good faith.

• Resources Contact Information
• ESF Employee Assistance Program
• Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Hotline to Report Incidents of Bias and Discrimination
• Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Plan

FAQ

• What is the official definition of a bias incident?
  Definition of bias: Single or multiple acts toward an individual, group, or their property that are so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that they create an unreasonably intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, learning, or program environment, and that one could reasonably conclude are based upon actual or perceived age, race, color, creed, religion, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, spirituality, cultural, socio-economic status, or any combination of these or other related factors.
• What are examples of bias or hate incidents?
  Incidents of bias can include, but are not limited to: slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, vandalism, intimidation, symbols, and harassment; that are directed toward or affect the targeted individual or group. Incidents of bias contribute to a hostile campus environment and can occur even if the act itself is unintentional or delivered as a joke, prank, or having humorous intent.
• How does reporting work?
  The bias incident reporting system keeps the targeted member of the ESF community at the center of the response process so that the individual can decide how they want to proceed. When a report is submitted.
  
  Reports may also be submitted anonymously; allowing you to provide the information you feel comfortable providing. The more information you provide, the more proactive ESF can be.
• What is the response to a bias or hate incident?
  Responses to incidents will vary based on the incident and the individuals involved. Some incidents will be referred to the student conduct process if there was a violation to our code of conduct or to law enforcement, or ESF Human Resources (when applicable to faculty and staff).  It is important to note that the majority of incidents will not travel that path. This occurs for a variety of reasons including at the request of the targeted individual or because the action would not be considered a violation of the conduct code.
  
  Whenever possible, based on the information available, ESF will attempt to create an educational opportunity with students who have engaged in a bias incident.  Although occasionally frustrating, this approach creates the opportunity to respond to a larger number of incidents while also maintaining the educational mission of ESF.
• Why should I report and incident of bias or hate?
  ESF can best support the targeted individual (s) as well as aim to prevent future incidents. The purpose of the bias incident reporting process is to provide impacted parties of bias or hate incidents opportunities to be heard and supported, to understand and respond to situations that affect ESF, to educate and inform the community, and to create awareness of ignorance and intolerance as it relates to bias or hate incidents. The bias incident reporting process provides services to witnesses, bystanders, targeted individuals, offenders, or members of the community that include but are not limited to counseling, training and professional development, and escort service.
• What incidents have occurred at ESF?
  Learn about bias or hate incidents during Fall 2019 as we begin to archive data
  
  ESF Campus Safety Act Reports that archive crimes (not bias) prepared by ESF University Police
• What help is available for targeted individuals who experience bias or hate?
  Targeted individuals of bias or hate incidents may need immediate support. See internal and external to ESF resources listed at the above URLs.
  
  Targeted individuals are also encouraged to report the incident. If the person reporting the incident requests follow-up, ESF personnel will contact them to provide support and resources. If the person reporting the incident requests follow-up, the Bias Response and Advocacy Coordinator will contact them to provide support and resources.
• How can I help educate campus about bias?
  We eager to attend student organization meetings, department meetings, residence hall programs, or other events to provide trainings and workshops.