Bias Incident Reporting System (BIRS) 

Bias Incident
A bias incident involves language or behaviors demonstrating bias against persons or groups because of factors, actual or perceived, like race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, medical condition, body size, disability, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, ex-offender status, or socioeconomic status. Bias incidents are intentional and unintentional. If you believe you are the victim of a bias incident, complete and submit the Bias Incident Reporting Form.

Discrimination

Discrimination involves disparate treatment or disparate impact because of membership in a particular group, such as race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information. The Bias Incident Reporting System (BIRS) is only for incidents involving bias. For issues related to discrimination, contact:

EEOC
Illinois Human Rights Commission: 312-814-6202
Title IX Coordinator: title9@eureka.edu/309-467-6310
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Telephone: 800-421-3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov

Consumer Fraud Hotlines. 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago) 1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)
Linea Gratuita en Espanol. 1-866-310-8398.
Civil Rights Hotline. 1-877-581-3692.
Disability Rights Hotline. 312-814-5684 (Chicago) 217-524-2660 (Springfield)
Health Care Hotline. 1-877-305-5145.
Workplace Rights. 1-844-740-5076.

Title IX

If the incident report involves a Title IX issue, the individual responsible for managing the Bias Incident Reporting System will refer the report to the Title IX officer or refer the individual submitting the report to the Title IX officer. 

Hate Crimes

Illinois statute defines a hate crime as follows:

A person commits hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits assault, battery, aggravated assault, intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, transmission of obscene messages, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications (https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050k12-7.1.htm).

Under the Clery Act, a “hate crime” is a criminal offense that manifests evidence that perpetrator intentionally selected the victim because of the perpetrator’s bias against the victim. For Clery Act purposes, hate crimes include any of the following criminal bias-motivated offenses: Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Arson, Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property. See 34 CFR 668.46(c)(4). If you believe you are the victim of a hate crime:

• Call the police department where the crime was committed.
• IL Attorney General, Civil Rights Hotline: 1-877-581-3692
• Illinois Human Rights Commission: 312-814-6202

In addition, the BRT will report the submission of a hate crime to Eureka College Police Department, who will review the incident and determine if anyone involved in the incident committed a crime. If the Eureka College Police Department determines that there is sufficient evidence of criminal activity, they will document the incident in a crime report and investigate. If deemed necessary by Eureka College Police, they will contact other law enforcement agencies for assistance.

Procedures

Any criminal investigation resulting from bias incident reporting is independent of the Bias Response Team. Here is what to expect after submission of the Bias Incident Reporting Form.

Response to Bias Incident Reports: 

1. Reporting Bias: Report bias incidents using the Bias Incident Reporting Form.

2. Receipt Acknowledgement: Within three business days of the receipt of a report, a Bias Response Team (BRT) member reviews the report and provides the reporting individual: 

   • acknowledgment of receipt

   • an opportunity to speak with a BRT member about the incident

   • information about support and other resources; and

   • notice of options, including the option to file a formal complaint

3. Response: In consultation with the reporting party, a BRT member recommends at least one of the following options in response to the reported incident.

   1. Conversation: A BRT member may discuss the report with the individual alleged to have engaged in a bias incident.

   2. Mediation/Facilitated Conversation: A BRT member may facilitate a voluntary conversation between the reporting individual and the individual alleged to have engaged in a bias incident. An in-person meeting is optional.

   3. Education: The BRT may offer training and educational resources to those involved in the bias incident.

   4. Restorative Justice: Where the reporting individual and the individual alleged to have engaged in a bias incident express an interest in the use of restorative practices to respond to a reported incident, the BRT will utilize restorative practices to facilitate healing and understanding following a bias incident.

   5. Referral: Formal College Process: In instances where the reported conduct poses a threat to the health or safety of community members, or where conduct may constitute a violation of a college policy, the BRT will refer the matter to the appropriate college office, as determined by the BRT, such as academic, student affairs, or athletic leadership. Individuals may also file a formal complaint with college offices, such as the Office of Student Life.

   6. Institutional Response: Depending upon the nature of an incident, action from the college may follow, such as removal of graffiti, notice to the college community, and offering supportive resources and assistance for the impacted communities.

   7. No further action: The reporting individual or the BRT may determine that no further action is necessary. The BRT will evaluate the reported conduct to determine whether the reported incident warrants additional action.

4. Notification of Response: At the conclusion of the BRT's response to a bias report, the BRT will provide notice of the response to those involved in the incident and participated in the bias incident reporting process.