A new website has been created to provide the Syracuse University community with resources to help those who have been impacted by bias incidents on and around campus. The website, http://stopbias.syr.edu, includes information on how to identify bias, and ways in which community members can get involved with others and create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Those who wish to report an act of bias may do so on the STOP Bias site, or go directly to http://reportbias.syr.edu.

STOP Bias is a University-wide collective effort based in the Inclusion, Community and Citizenship portfolio of the Division of Student Affairs. The "STOP" in "STOP Bias" reflects the important steps in eliminating acts of bias in our community: Spot it. Talk about it. Open your mind. Prevent it.

“It is our hope that STOP Bias will raise awareness across campus about what bias-related incidents are, what to do if you see or experience them and where you can go for support," says Rebecca Reed-Kantrowitz, associate vice president of Inclusion, Community and Citizenship. "We have improved the web-reporting tool to make it more user-friendly. STOP Bias is an important part of our efforts to continue build a strong and inclusive community.”

Hate crimes and bias-related incidents involve behavior that is motivated by age, creed, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion or sexual orientation. Bias-related incidents include those actions that are motivated by bias, but do not meet the necessary elements required to prove a crime. Hate crimes are also motivated by bias. However, they include a definable crime, such as threats of violence, property damage, personal injury or other illegal conduct.

Bias-related incidents are defined as behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s age, creed, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion or sexual orientation. Bias revealed when triggered by anger is worthy of response even when not consciously an expression of prejudice.

A key feature of the STOP Bias website its anonymous web-based reporting tool, which can be used by SU students, faculty and staff who have experienced or witnessed an act of bias. The tool collects information from the incident, and offers the reporting person an opportunity to be contacted for further support, if they wish. Offices that can provide assistance to students who have witnessed or experienced a bias-related incident include:

• Department of Public Safety (443-2224)
• Office of Multicultural Affairs (443-9676)
• LGBT Resource Center (443-3983)
• Slutzker Center for International Services (443-2457)
• Hendricks Chapel (443-2092)
• Office of Disability Services (443-4498)
• Office of Student Assistance (443-4357)

For more information on STOP Bias, contact Radell Roberts at (315) 443-4424 or rrober02@syr.edu.

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