Bias Related Incidents

In accordance with its Jesuit and Catholic mission, Le Moyne College welcomes and respects the fundamental dignity of students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds and identities, strives to create a community that does the same, and facilitates the education and development of students as men and women for and with others. Bias-related incidents, hate crimes, and bullying in all forms are unacceptable and antithetical to these goals as they send a powerful message of intolerance and discrimination, disrupt the community and educational environment, and erode standards of civility.

Questions or concerns contact:

 

Barb Karper, Associate Provost for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Dr. C. Tabor Fisher, Faculty Support

 

Bias Incidents & Hate Crimes

Le Moyne College defines a bias-related incident as behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person‘s race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

Bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, non-threatening name calling and using degrading language or slurs that are directed toward a person because of his or her membership or perceived membership in a protected class and that create a hostile environment for that person.

Le Moyne College defines a hate crime as conduct, such as threats of violence, property damage, personal injury and other illegal conduct which are motivated and/or accompanied by bias.

According to the New York State Penal Law Section 485, a person commits a hate crime or bias-related incident when he or she commits a specified offense and either:

  • Intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation of that person regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct or
  • Intentionally commits the act or acts constituting the offense in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.
 

Why report a bias-related incident

While bias-related incidents sometimes target specific individuals, they often violate an entire group or community. Le Moyne College is committed to being an inclusive community; therefore any act that may pose a threat to our community is taken seriously. When a bias-related incident does target specific individuals because of their race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic, even those individuals not directly targeted may feel at risk. Bias-related incidents harm our community and can create hostile living and learning environments.

There are times when no one knows who committed a bias-related act. However, it is important that anyone who sees evidence of a bias-related incident report it. Whether it is graffiti or markings on property, or interactions between individuals, collecting accurate data about hate and bias-related incidents on campus aids the College in understanding the climate of our community, designing services and programs for the campus, and responding with quick and effective interventions to these incidents.

Reporting the incident may lead to an investigation, and if either a witness or the investigation identifies the person responsible, the College can hold that person accountable for their actions.