Diversity is best understood as a quantity of people that represent various colors, cultures and creeds within a single community. Inclusion would be 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 RPI, we know that gifted and accomplished people are the lifeblood of the best universities. RPI draws bright and talented students; 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 these bright and talented students to be successful and achieve academic, professional and personal excellence.
This is our vision for all who are part of the RPI community, however, to reach this goal, we must be proactive and identify and implement strategies and systems to address bias acts on campus which only serve to stifle and harm our community. The Bias Assessment and Review Team (BART) refers reports of bias incidents to campus partners who have the authority to review and investigate these incidents to create a collaborative resolution for these pressing matters.
Acts of bias can be perpetrated either physically, verbally, through various forms of media and/or other actions.
Bias Acts and Discriminatory Behavior
Acts of bias and discriminatory behavior are prohibited on campus, in RPI-related activities, and within our RPI community. Such incidents include but are not limited to acts of racism, colorism, sexism, and ableism. These acts are often disruptive to the community and harmful to individuals or groups of people. Incidents that may violate Institute policy will be reviewed and responded to by the appropriate designees as referred to earlier in the introduction of this policy. In addition, incidents that may be a violation of civil or criminal law may be reported and responded to by law enforcement authorities. Incidents that are not in violation of law or Institute policy, but may affect other members of the Institute community, may warrant an informal and educational response through the Bias Assessment and Response Team.
RPI defines an incident of bias as an action(s) that may harm, harass, or threaten (including but not limited to acts that may cause physical injury, psychological pain or distress, emotional unrest, and discriminatory practices that directly or indirectly impact an individual’s ability to perform, etc.) and that one could reasonably and prudently conclude is motivated, in whole or in part, by the alleged offender’s bias against a person or group on the basis of an actual or perceived aspect of identity, including but not limited to:
- Age
- Race/Color
- Ancestry/ Ethnicity
- National Origin
- Citizenship Status
- Religion/Spirituality
- Sex
- Transgender Status
- Gender Dysphoria, Identity or Expression
- Sexual Orientation
- Pregnancy
- Disability
- Marital or Civil Union
- Domestic Partnership Status
- Domestic Violence Victim Status
- Familial Status
- Relationship with or Association with Member(s) of a Protected Class
- Genetic Information or Predisposition
- Military or Veteran Status
Microaggressions
Subtle, verbal and non-verbal insults, indignities and denigrating messages, directed toward an individual(s) due to their marginalized identities. Usually stated by well-intentioned people who are unaware of the hidden messages conveyed, the impact of their statements, and the unintentional connection to the institutional, interpersonal and internalized manifestations of bias. An act is more than a microaggression – and becomes an act of bias prohibited by Institute policy -- when the person committing the act does so with the intent to discriminate against, and/or is aware of the negative impact caused by their act or statement on, the individual(s) to whom it is directed. In determining whether reported acts of microaggressions or other incidents rise to the level where judicial action should be taken, RPI will examine the totality of the circumstances surrounding the conduct, including its frequency, nature and severity, the relationship between the parties, and the context in which the conduct occurred. Should the reported conduct not rise to the level of requiring judicial action, BART will coordinate with the appropriate office to provide support resources and educational opportunities to address the reported concerns with the involved parties.
Hate Crimes
If you believe you have been a victim of a Hate Crime, or witness a Hate Crime, you should immediately dial 911 or contact Public Safety at 518-276-6611. Non-emergency reports should be made by calling the Department of Public Safety at 518-276-6656 or calling the Troy Police Department at 518-270-4411.
Hate crimes are all crimes motivated by the perpetrator's bias or attitude against an individual or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.
Hate crimes should be reported to RPI’s Department of Public Safety and/or local law enforcement. Such reports of hate crimes will be addressed and responded to by law enforcement agencies through the criminal or civil legal system. Should the incident fall under RPI’s jurisdiction, RPI may address the involved student(s) role in the alleged incident by considering if a violation of Institute policy occurred, under the judicial inquiry process. This may occur parallel to law enforcement’s response.
For more information on hate crimes, per New York State Law, please refer to https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/485.00
Reporting and Response Process
If you experienced or witnessed an incident of bias, we encourage you to use the Bias Incident Reporting Form for the institution to assess and respond to incidents of this nature. Acts of bias are perpetrated either physically, verbally, and/or through various forms of media (written). Reports may be submitted online at through BART’s website: info.rpi.edu/BART or at the link above.
Bias incident reports are routed to the BART and are referred to and reviewed by the appropriate responding office. If not anonymous, the reporter will receive an immediate and automatic confirmation of receipt from the online reporting tool via email upon submission. Within two institute business days, the Chair or a member of BART will respond to the reporter to re-confirm receipt of report and share additional details appropriate to the received report. Some reported incidents may require additional information and therefore the Chair for BART may contact the student reporter, if not anonymous.
Investigations and resolving outcomes of reported incidents may take place within other offices such as the Dean of Students Office, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Human Resources, the Department of Public Safety and/or outside law enforcement agencies, if appropriate. Response protocols may differ in processes and timelines among the appropriate responding offices; such processes are separate from the purview of BART protocols, though the assistance and guidance of BART may continue to be engaged. BART will intervene accordingly once one of the aforementioned offices determines what level and type of response are appropriate.
Reports submitted anonymously will not prevent RPI from beginning the assessment and investigation phase, but the Institute's ability to fully investigate and resolve the report may be limited.
BART will follow up with impacted parties, monitor the status of the response, and communicate with our campus community about reported incidents as appropriate (if the incident is not isolated and campus-wide notice serves to protect the campus community). BART will assist in providing campus partners preventative measures and aid, in collaboration with the Office of Multicultural Programs, in developing practices for increased diversity, equity and inclusion.
Referral to Student Conduct
Reports involving alleged students are reviewed in partnership with the staff in the Dean of Students Office. Such reports referred for judicial review will follow processes consistent with those described under the RPI Handbook for Student Rights and Responsibilities. If found responsible for a violation of the Student Policy on Bias Acts and Discriminatory Behavior, a range of sanctions may be imposed to address accountability and development of the involved student(s). These sanctions include but are not limited to, disciplinary statuses (disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, or expulsion), removal from campus or restricted access, and active educational sanctions, which requires the involved student(s) to engage in educational initiatives to further their learning and development as is consistent with the findings of the judicial inquiry. Active educational sanctions may include, attending a program or series of programs, reflective assignments, referrals to meet with BART members or other campus professionals, and/or coordination of other educational opportunities as deemed appropriate.
Please note that if reports do not rise to the level of requiring judicial action does not mean that reports won’t be resolved through BART’s restorative process. The purpose for restorative practices is to emphasize healing and repair for all members impacted by an incident and education and perspective-changing is underscored for those who may have been alleged in an incident.
Referral to the Division for Human Resources
Reports or complaints which involve an employee or non-student third party (faculty, staff, vendors, contractors, or visitors) are referred to, investigated, and adjudicated by the Division for Human Resources. Reports investigated by the Division for Human Resources are responded to as consistent with the procedures described under the RPI Faculty Handbook, the RPI Employee Handbook and the Non-Discrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement.
Allegations and reports of discrimination based on disability may also need to be coordinated with the Division for Human Resources.
Referral to Office of Title IX / Sexual Misconduct
Title IX is a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination. The Title IX section of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Under Title IX, sexual misconduct is considered a form of sex discrimination. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. Sexual misconduct is not tolerated at RPI, and it is a violation of Institute policy, and state and federal law.
Reports or complaints which involve sex discrimination or acts of sexual misconduct as defined above are referred to, investigated, and adjudicated by the institution’s Title IX Coordinators. Reports investigated by this unit are responded to as consistent with the procedures described under the RPI Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures.
Students may file a report directly online with RPI here. This form can be submitted anonymously or can include the reporter’s contact information.
