Diversity may be best understood through a quantity of people that represent various colors, cultures and creeds within a single community. Inclusion is the quality of life that is provided for people of various backgrounds to live, learn and work together harmoniously within a single community. Here at Rensselaer, we know that gifted and accomplished people are the lifeblood of the best universities. Because Rensselaer draws bright and talented students from all over the world, it behooves us to ensure our campus community is one that provides a higher quality living, learning and working environment which strives for equity, access and inclusion for our students so they can be successful and achieve academic, professional and personal excellence. This is our vision for all who are part of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute community, however, in order to reach this goal, we must be proactive and identify and implement strategies and systems to address bias on campus.
Throughout the academic year, the Bias Assessment and Response Team (BART), annually track and review data from reported bias incidents in order to propose structural and procedural changes to the bias reporting and response system as well as make recommendations on programs, policies, and ongoing educational interventions.
Summer 2020 – Spring 2021 (May 26, 2020 – May 14, 2021)
Total number of cases: 23
(Note: Each case may include multiple reports regarding a singular incident)
Total number of cases by nature/basis of bias:
(Note: A case may include multiple natures/bases of bias)
- Sex/Gender Identity or Expression/Sexual Orientation: 5
- Race/Color/Ethnicity: 12
- Disability: 1
- Religion/Spirituality: 3
- General Climate Concerns (outside of the scope of protected classes/identities): 11
Total number of cases by act of bias:
(Note: A case may include more than one act of bias or various ways a bias had been conducted)
- Written (includes social media posts/imagery/stickers): 16
- Verbal (bias motivated speech): 6
- Physical (includes touch, gestures, etc.): 1
- Psychological/Emotional (unequal treatment): 2
Total number of cases by location:
- Online/Social Media: 14
- Off-Campus/Private Residence: 1
- Classroom: 3
- On-Campus area/Residence Hall: 4
- Other/Unknown: 1
Total number of reporters/impacted parties by classification:
(Note: Each case may have multiple reporters/complainants and/or impacted parties/witnesses)
- Student: 39
- Faculty: 0
- Staff: 4
- Community Member: 2
- Anonymous: 4
Total number of alleged respondents by classification:
(Note: Each case may have multiple respondents/alleged perpetrators)
- Student: 12
- Faculty: 5
- Staff: 0
- Community Member: 0
- Unidentified: 9
Total number of cases investigated by/referred to:
(Note: All incidents of bias, where only students are involved, are managed by BART. However, cases that include violations of the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and /or other components that require investigation or adjudication, will be referred to the appropriate department/office. Incidents of bias, where faculty and staff are involved, are referred to Human Resources for review.)
- Judicial Affairs Reviewed: 6
- Department of Public Safety/Troy Police Reviewed: 5
- Human Resources Reviewed: 5
- Title IX Reviewed: 0
Resolution type:
(Note: Each case may have more than one avenue of resolution. The data below titled "Restorative/Conflict Resolution or Documented Data" refers to the total number of cases that were solely resolved by BART and/or the report could only be documented and closed as the responsibility of assignment could not be determined and/or there was limited information)
- Restorative/Conflict Resolution or Documented Data: 9
- BART Communication: 4
- Disciplinary Process: 6
- Cases Pending for Resolution: 2
- Facilitated Mediation/Educational Sanction:
- Disciplinary Warning/Probation: 3
- Separation from Institute (Suspension/Expulsion): 0 - Persona Non-Grata Issued: 0
- Legal/Criminal Justice Referral: 0
- Human Resource Referral: 5
- Title IX Referral: 0