Bias Response Program

Report a Bias Incident (Online Form)

There are several options for reporting a bias incident.

To report a bias incident, use the Bias Incident Online Reporting Form.

Report a Bias Incident to the WPI Police Department (WPI PD)

You are also able to file a bias incident report directly with WPI PD. When filing with WPI PD, they will investigate the report of bias by gathering details, collecting evidence, sharing information with law enforcement partners, and/or consulting with legal experts. Please note that should you file both a criminal and university incident, the Bias Response Team (BRT) will work in partnership with WPI PD.

Emergency: (508) 831-5555
Non-emergency: (508) 831-5433
Address: Founders Hall,
Garden Level

 

 

The BRT is not a judicial group with the ability to adjudicate, but rather, a coordinated network of support to WPI’s formal reporting channels. For incidents involving harassment, discrimination, and/or hate crimes, BRT will connect you with the department responsible for addressing these incidents.

 

 

Here are the different options available if you would like to report directly to these offices:

Sexual Misconduct Incident: You may file an incident involving WPI's Sexual Misconduct Policy (including gender-based discrimination - actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation) to the Title IX Coordinator. Note: To report a sexual misconduct incident without disclosing your identity, you can use the anonymous report form.

Student Incident: You may file an incident involving a violation of the Student Code of Conduct by contacting the Dean of Students Office at Dean-of-students@wpi.edu

The WPI Care Team was established to receive, consider, and, when appropriate, act upon information or behavior(s) of concern exhibited by a student or group of students. The Dean of Students Office coordinates the group of professional staff that meets weekly during the academic year to address the safety, welfare, and academic success of students. The WPI Care Team includes representatives from across the institution, with a focus on reaching out to students whose behavior has in some way come to the attention of others. The Team then determines a plan of action (if deemed appropriate and needed) that is in the best interest of the student and the campus community. If you feel the student’s behavior is classified as distressed, disruptive, or dangerous, we encourage you to contact us. Access the Care Team’s I’m Concerned About a Student form.

Accessibility Incident:

Should the incident involve harassment or discrimination based on disability and/or accessibility accommodations, the incident will be referred to the Office of Accessibility Services (students): accessibilityservices@wpi.edu or the 504 Coordinator (employees): talent@wpi.edu.

Employee Incident: Should the incident involve employee harassment or discrimination, the incident will be referred to the Talent HR Partners.

Criminal Incident: If you choose to file a criminal incident, WPI Police Department (WPI PD) will provide you with support throughout the process.

You are not required to file a criminal incident. You may choose to file a criminal incident in addition to a university incident. For more information, contact WPI PD:
Emergency Phone: 508-831-5555
Non-Emergency Phone: 508-831-5433

Community Resources

There are many community resources that can also support you in the process of filing a criminal incident. Pathways for Change and YWCA Daybreak both offer free services including court advocacy.

Definitions

Bias incidents - Bias Incidents are those where speech or expressive conduct is directed toward an individual or group that is based on or motivated by the individual or group’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, gender identity and/or expression, or other social identities. Bias incidents may include actions that are motivated by bias, but that is protected by academic freedom and do not meet the necessary elements required to prove a crime or a violation of University policy, as outlined below.

*Note: This definition of a bias incident is intentionally broad to reflect our values to create and sustain an inclusive, safe, and productive community for all of our members.

Microaggressions: bias incidents that do not rise to the level of a university policy violation (e.g. discrimination, harassment, etc.) or hate crime, in which everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their group membership. Microaggressions may be intentional or unintentional.

Discrimination: adverse treatment based on an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently serious to unreasonably interfere with or limit an individual’s opportunity to participate in or benefit from a University program or activity, or that otherwise adversely affects a term or condition of the individual’s employment or education. Legally protected categories are listed on the notice of non-discrimination page.

Harassment: a form of discrimination (defined above) that encompasses an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical communications and/or conduct based on or motivated by an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, persistent or patently offensive that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that individual’s work or academic performance, or that creates a hostile working, educational or living environment. Harassment may include the use of epithets, stereotypes, slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display or circulation of written or visual material, taunts, and negative references related to any of these protected categories. 

Hate Crimes:  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 MA law). Acts constituting hate crimes, as defined by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 22C, Section 32, include "any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of [their] constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person's exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation." 

Chapter 265 Crimes Against the Person - Section 39 states in relevant part that it is illegal to commit a crime against one's person or property with the intent to intimidate such person because of such person's race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.