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Confronting Bias and Hate at Lehigh
Respect Builds Community
Bias Response Team
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
To report a Bias Motivated Incident or Hate Crime
Campus Resources
Respect Builds Community
Lehigh is committed to sustaining a diverse living and learning community that provides a respectful environment where differences are celebrated, each member of the campus community is valued and where an atmosphere of civility and respect is fostered. At Lehigh, we take the health, safety and well-being of members of our community very seriously.
Harmful, hurtful, degrading or threatening actions to others based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ethnicity, or disability are not acceptable and are inconsistent with the fundamental values of the University.
Bias Response Team
The Bias Response Team (BRT) was created in 2001 to monitor and respond to acts of intolerance should they occur. Made up of faculty, staff and students, the BRT convenes to collect information and coordinate the university response to bias motivated incidents. In any particular bias incident, there will also be an immediate local response in addition to the university response (i.e. residence hall program, notification to living community, removal of graffiti, etc.).
Bias Response Team Members:
John Smeaton, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Sharon Basso, Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students
Lloyd Steffen, University Chaplain, Professor and Department Chair, Religion Studies
Ian Birky, Director, University Counseling and Psychological Services
Edward Shupp, University Police Chief
Sarah Cooke, University Communications Manager
Undergraduate student TBD
Kate Meiman, graduate student
**Other members of the Lehigh community may be invited as appropriate depending on the nature of the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's )
1. What is the definition of a “hate crime” vs. a “bias motivated incident”?
(Definitions taken from “Hate Crimes: The Problem and Efforts to Confront It” prepared by the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence at the University of Southern Maine under contract with Community Research Associates, Inc)
“A hate crime is defined as a crime of violence, property damage or threat that is motivated in whole or in part by an offender's bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
Bias motivated incidents involve behavior that is motivated by bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. These incidents do not involve criminal conduct such as assault, threats, or property damage. Bias motivated, degrading comments often are considered to be bias incidents. They are not considered to be hate crimes, however, because the speaker of those comments has not engaged in criminal activity.”
For more information on hate crimes and bias motivated incidents, visit these websites:
National Criminal Justice Reference Service - http://www.ncjrs.gov/spotlight/hate_crimes/summary.html
"Hate Crimes: The Problem and Efforts to Confront It” prepared by the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence at the University of Southern Maine under contract with Community Research Associates, Inc - http://www.securityoncampus.org/schools/187249.pdf
Tolerance.Org - http://www.tolerance.org/index.jsp
2. What can I do if I believe I'm the victim of a hate crime or any incident based on my race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation that makes me afraid for my safety?
- Report incidents immediately to Lehigh Police by calling 8-4200.
- Preserve any evidence (graffiti, phone call recording, e-mail message, letter, etc.).
- Lehigh encourages the reporting of all such situations, preferably to the police. But tell someone, preferably someone who can help you find the available university resources.
3. What will Lehigh University do in such cases?
Lehigh pledges to:
- Meet with you promptly
- Treat you and your concern with respect and sensitivity
- Take every case seriously
- Discuss your options
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Investigate all cases where a crime has occurred and arrest all perpetrators where sufficient legal grounds exist
- Investigate all cases to see if any violations of Lehigh's Code of Conduct has occurred
Many bias incidents and/or hate crimes are anonymous and acquiring enough evidence to make an arrest is challenging. Other bias incidents (slurs, etc) are hurtful, but may be protected under First Amendment rights. That doesn't mean you should ignore such incidents. If you are unsure what to do, contact Lehigh University Police at 8-4200. Lehigh University Police also works closely with the Dean of Students and Office of Student Conduct to ensure that appropriate action and follow up is taken.
4. What can I do to make a difference?
Action steps:
- Speak out when jokes or comments are made that are hateful or demean others.
- Challenge yourself to consider if you use derogatory terms in describing others and if you avoid people who are different than you; take steps to understand why you do this and how you can act differently to create an affirming, supportive environment for all people.
- Educate yourself on bias and hate motivated issues by visiting resources like http://www.stophate.org/stophate/ which offers tools to address bias-related incidents on campus.
Remember that bias incidents and hate crimes have many victims. One act can make anyone feel intimidated, frightened and isolated.
To report a Bias Motivated Incident or Hate Crime
To report a bias motivated incident or a hate crime contact:
Lehigh University Police Department
610.758.4200
Dean of Students Office
610.758.4156
Campus Resources
University Counseling and Psychological Services
http://www.lehigh.edu/~incso/cso.htm
610.758.3880
Dean of Students Office
http://www.lehigh.edu/~indost/
610.758.4156
Office of Residence Life
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inlife/inlife.html
610-758-6598
Office of Student Conduct
http://www.lehigh.edu/~indost/conduct/student_conduct.html
610.758.4159
Office of Multicultural Affairs
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inmca/index.html
610.758.5973
Women's Center
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inwnc/
610.758.6484
LGBTQA Programs and Outreach
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inrainbo/index.html
610.758.4126
Joint Multicultural Program
http://www.lehigh.edu/jmp/index.html
Lehigh University Policy on Harassment
http://www.lehigh.edu/~policy/university/harassment.htm
Office of the Ombudsperson
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inombuds/
610.758.3428
Some content provided by Miami University of Ohio.