A bias incident is an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation that is motivated in whole or in part by bias based on an individual’s or group’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Bias often stems from fear, misunderstanding, hatred, or stereotypes and may be intentional or unintentional.

Both bias incidents and hate crimes consist of conduct that is motivated by bias. However, hate crimes involve a criminal act, such as assault or vandalism. Bias incidents do not necessarily involve criminal activity and may come in the form of microaggressions (often well-intentioned but extremely hurtful and biased remarks from others) and other noncriminal acts of bias.

The University is committed to safeguarding the free expression rights of all University community members, even if the expression is biased, hateful, or contrary to University values of equity and diversity.

At the same time, the University recognizes that biased and hateful expression causes harm and fractures in our campus community that must be addressed through education, dialogue, and support for those who are negatively impacted. 

For more information, visit the Academic Freedom and Free Speech at the University of Minnesota webpage and the Office for Student Affairs Freedom of Expression page.

Yes. University members who believe they have experienced, observed, or otherwise learned about discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, can report to Equal Opportunity & Title IX (for employee and third party conduct) or the Office for Community Standards (for student conduct).

University members can also report bias incidents to their local unit or department. For example, students who experience a bias incident in University housing may report the incident to Housing and Residential Life. Faculty who experience or witness a bias incident within their department may report the incident to their department chair or dean. 

After submitting your report, a member of the BRRN will let you know your report has been received, provide written information about resources for support, and refer your report to appropriate offices at the University.  For example, in some cases, BRRN will forward your report to an investigative office at the University, such as the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office, the Office for Community Standards, and/or the University of Minnesota Police Department.

The BRRN will keep a reporter’s identity private to the extent possible given the University’s responsibility for supporting a safe and nondiscriminatory working and learning environment. Anonymous reports can be submitted by using this reporting form.

President Kaler charged the BRRN in January 2016. It was initially called the Bias Response Team (BRT), but the name was changed in November 2016 to better reflect its purpose and work.

Bias incidents can undermine the University’s efforts toward equity and inclusivity, cause distress and harm to those who experience them, and limit our community’s ability to excel in our work and learning. The BRRN provides an avenue for community members to report these concerns so that they can be routed to the University office that can appropriately respond.

The following provides further information:

• University Code of Conduct (PDF)
• Student Conduct Code (PDF) 
• University Discrimination Policy 
• University Policy: Equity and Access: Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Names and Pronouns
• University Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence

The University offers many resources for personal support on the Twin Cities campus, including:

The Aurora Center
117 Appleby Hall, Minneapolis
[email protected] | 612-626-2929
24-hour line: 612-626-9111

Boynton Mental Health Clinic (students)
East Bank, West Bank, St. Paul
612-624-1444
24/7 Crisis Line: 612-301-4673 

Student Counseling Services (students)
128 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis
[email protected] | 612-624-3323

Employee Assistance Program (employees)
umn.lyrahealth.com | 877-295-8939

The University also offers other reporting options on the Twin Cities campus:

• Equal Opportunity & Title IX for concerns of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and related retaliation
• Office for Community Standards for concerns that a student has engaged in discrimination.
• University Public Safety
• UReport