Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)
Marymount Manhattan College is committed to creating a campus that is both safe and inclusive for students from all social identities. Misconduct that is motivated by intolerance and bigotry has no place in our College community. Students are strongly encouraged to report hate crimes or bias incidents that occur on campus or at College-sponsored activities to the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT).
The purpose of BIRT is to assess and coordinate the response to bias-related campus incidents. The BIRT will investigate reported incidents to determine whether an incident is bias-related, and recommend appropriate outcomes for the incident, including the necessity of involvement from law enforcement or other outside agencies. The team is comprised of the following members: Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer (chair), Division of Student Success and Engagement Representative, Division of Academic Affairs Representative, Human Resources Representative, Campus Safety Representative, Marketing and Communications Representative and a Faculty member selected by the VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.
WHAT IS A HATE CRIME OR BIAS INCIDENT?
A hate crime is an act of violence motivated by intolerance and bigotry. New York state law defines a hate crime as a criminal act involving violence, intimidation and destruction of property based upon bias and prejudice. Victims of hate crimes are intentionally selected, in whole or in part, because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation. Hate crimes are punishable by law and handled by the police, like any other criminal act.
A bias incident is like a hate crime in that it is an action or conduct committed against a person that is also motivated by intolerance and bigotry; however, the conduct may not rise to the level of a criminal act. In addition, a bias incident may include verbal and nonverbal behavior that is threatening, harassing and intimidating. All hate crimes are bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are considered hate crimes, depending on the facts and circumstances involved. Bias incidents are considered violations of the College’s Code of Conduct and the Policy Against Harassment and Unlawful Discrimination.
REPORTING A BIAS INCIDENT OR HATE CRIME
Any member of the MMC Community may report a bias incident through the online reporting link. Once reported, an investigation of the incident will be conducted in a timely manner and appropriate actions will be taken. Any hate crime occurring on campus may be reported to Campus Safety at 212-517-0411; if the incident occurs off campus, call 911.