A  campus climate incident is bias-related action or behavior that expresses hostility against a person, property or group because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, or genetic information. 
 

Bias-related actions or behaviors may be verbal, graphic, or physical in nature. They often contribute to or create an unsafe or unwelcoming environment. Incidents qualify as bias-related actions or behaviors even when delivered with humorous intent or presented as a joke or a prank.
 

Examples of bias-related actions or behaviors may include: 

• Name calling; using a racial, ethnic, or other slur to identify someone; or using degrading language 
• Imitating someone with a disability 
• Imitating someone's cultural norm, language, or practice 
• Cultural appropriation
• Making jokes or using stereotypes when talking to someone 
• Calling someone the n-word, f-word, or r-word in person, in writing, on social media, on whiteboards.

Bias-related actions or behaviors that are also covered by the University’s Student Conduct or Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy and Sexual Harassment Policy (e.g. bias-related vandalism, harassment, assault, etc.) will be subject to the processes and accountability through these policies. 

Bias-related actions or behaviors, that do not violate a University policy will generally be addressed through educational interventions. 

Students, staff and faculty who report bias-related actions or behaviors can expect that their report will be acknowledged within 48 hours, and that a University official will be assigned to meet with the reporter to collect details of the bias-related actions or behaviors  and to discuss options for addressing the incident. In situations where the accused may be personally identified, privacy laws and confidentiality of student and employee records may prevent the University from disclosing specific details about the resolution of a complaint. 

A hate crime is any criminal act or attempted criminal act, motivated, in whole or part, by the victim's actual or perceived race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. 

For an act to qualify as a hate crime, two variables must be present:

1.  A crime must take place;
2.  That crime must be motivated by bias against characteristics included in federal, state, and/or local statutes.

A hate crime is a violation of the law and will be investigated by University Police and/or other law enforcement agencies as necessary and appropriate. To report a hate crime, please call 911 or our Carroll University Public Safety Team 262-524-7300.

While the First Amendment protects the free expression of ideas that are sometimes offensive, that does not mean the university is powerless to respond. Instead of trying to censor or punish free speech, the Campus Climate Response Team documents and tracks hate incidents to: 

• Collect and analyze reports on hate and bias incidents
• Provide immediate support to those impacted by the incident(s)
• Assist impacted community members in connecting with support, resources, and assistance 
• Facilitate ongoing training and dialogue around the impact of hate and bias
• Raise awareness and empower bystanders to promote a safe, welcoming, and inclusive campus climate
• Inform administration of trends and recommend best practices in terms of policy, action based on research, campus trends and findings

Those who engage in bias-related actions or behaviors that are not protected under the First Amendment may be subject to disciplinary proceedings or prosecution. Possible examples include physical assault, vandalism, trespassing, harassment, incitement, or genuine threats of violence.