This form is for reporting of bias incidents, discrimination, or harassment involving a UVM affiliate (including students, staff, and faculty).
If you are reporting an incident that poses an imminent risk of harm to a person(s) or property, contact UVM Police Services at 802-656-3473 (if on campus) or 9-1-1. The submitted form is only viewed during regular business hours. Individuals may choose to report sexual harassment and misconduct with this form or via TitleIX@uvm.edu.
Definitions and Information:
Bias incidents are those where speech or expressive conduct is directed toward an individual or group that is based on or motivated by the individual or group’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, disability, or gender identity and/or expression. Bias incidents may include actions that are motivated by bias, but that are protected by the First Amendment and do not meet the necessary elements required to prove a crime or a violation of University policy, as outlined below.
Depending on the nature and severity of the behavior, the associated bias, and impact, Bias Incidents will be addressed through interventions as appropriate, such as: education, restorative practices, community dialogue, formal processes through institutional offices (e.g., review, investigation, resolution), and/or referral to local law enforcement. Although not every incident will be a violation of university policy or law, all reported incidents will be reviewed for an appropriate response. As articulated in the Program’s Welcome Message, the First Amendment allows, protects, and promotes the ability to discuss controversial ideas, differing views, and sometimes offensive and hurtful words. Such speech or expression will not be stifled or disciplined, but may be used as an opportunity to grow as a campus community through the Bias Response Program.
Definitions:
Discrimination: Adverse treatment based on an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently serious to unreasonably interfere with or limit an individual’s opportunity to participate in or benefit from a University program or activity, or that otherwise adversely affects a term or condition of the individual’s employment or education. Legally protected categories are listed in UVM's equal opportunity policies for students and employees.
Harassment: A form of discrimination (defined above) that encompasses an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical communications and/or conduct based on or motivated by an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, persistent and/or patently offensive that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that individual’s work or academic performance, or that creates a hostile working, educational or living environment. Harassment may include the use of epithets, stereotypes, slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display or circulation of written or visual material, taunts, and negative references related to any of these protected categories.
Hate Crimes are Bias Incidents in which the conduct constitutes a criminal offense against persons or property. Hate crimes are defined by Vermont law at 13 V.S.A. § 1455, and must be reported to UVM Police Services.
Microaggressions are Bias Incidents which do not rise to the level of a University policy violation (e.g. Discrimination, Harassment, etc.) or Hate Crime, in which everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their group membership. Microaggressions may be intentional or unintentional, and are generally protected by the First Amendment.
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If you are unsure or would like to speak to someone about completing this report form, please call the Dean of Students Office at 802-656-3380 or you may wish to consult with confidential support such as CAPS at 802-656-3340 or HOPE Works at 802-863-1236 (24/7). This form accepts anonmyous reports, however, the University's ability to conduct follow-up support and/or investigation may be limited.
*Note: This definition of a bias incident is intentionally broad to reflect our values to create and sustain an inclusive, safe, and productive community for all of our members. *The information on this page is intended as a summary. Complete definitions of discrimination and harassment may be found in UVM's Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy, available here Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy