Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has a process in place for students, faculty and staff to report an incident of bias. The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) protocol is an organized response to bias incidents that occur within the SIUE community involving students, faculty and staff. The BIRT policy can be found here.
What is a Bias Incident? A bias incident is defined as: an act – either verbal, written, physical, non-verbal or psychological – that threatens or harms a person or group on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, atypical heredity, or military service/veteran status.
How to Submit a Report? If someone believes they are the victim of or a witness to an alleged bias incident, that person may report the incident by submitting a Bias Incident Report .
What Happens After a Report is Submitted? The focus of the team is to ensure that all parties with the community who are impacted by the incident are heard and cared for in an appropriate manner. After a report is submitted, a member of the Bias Incident Response Team will respond to the party or parties who reported the incident within 24 hours. A team member will seek additional information regarding the incident, provide support and resources, and schedule a time to speak with the respondent(s). The BIRT team will review the incident and then determine the next steps, including whether a communication to campus is necessary.
