Bias Incident Response Protocol
The University at Albany is committed to a campus environment that supports diversity, equity and inclusion and will provide support to individuals who report incidents of bias or hate.
To assist in this process, the University has created a Bias Incident Response Team charged with the responsibility to receive and coordinate the University’s response to reported bias incidents and, if necessary, issue recommendations to the appropriate University officials.
When the team reasonably believes that the report details a violation of federal, state, local or campus policies and practices, it will forward the report to the appropriate agencies or campus units, including the University Police Department, Office of Community Standards, Office of Equity and Compliance and/or Human Resources.
This first-line team, composed of appropriate University officials, will receive reports from faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors and contractors if they have experienced or witnessed an incident of bias or hate while on campus or at off-campus facilities, activities or events.
The work of the Bias Incident Response Team will not substitute, replace or override existing campus or external complaint processes, investigation protocols and services available to the University’s community.
Bias Incident Response Team
Team Members
Samuel Caldwell, Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Anette Lippold, Chief Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance Officer, Office of Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance
Paul Burlingame, Chief of Police, University Police Department
Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, Senior Director of Strategic, Research and Advocacy Communications and University Spokesperson, Office of Communications and Marketing
Steven Galime, Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost
Lakia Green, Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Leandra Harris, Associate Dean of Students, Office of the Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Keiffer Peralta, Assistant Director, Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources and Management
Related Offices
| Office Name | Office Location | Phone Number |
| Office of Diversity and Inclusion | University Hall, Room 207 | 518-956-8110 |
| Office of the Dean of Students | Campus Center, Suite 130 | 518-442-5501 |
| University Police Department | University Police Building | 518-442-3131 |
| Office of Equity and Compliance | Hudson Building, Suite 117 | 518-442-3800 |
| Office of Human Resources | University Administration Building, Room 300 | 518-437-4700 |
Definitions of Bias Acts & Hate Crimes
definitions
What is a bias act?
A bias act is conduct that adversely and unfairly targets an individual or group based on the social identity categories of national origin, ethnicity, race, age, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, color, creed, marital status, any combination of these characteristics or any other group protected by law.
The perpetrators may be known or unknown. The act may be verbal, written or physical, and occur on a UAlbany campus or within an area that affects the campus community. Activities protected by the First Amendment will not constitute bias acts.
What is a hate crime?
Per New York State Penal Law § 485.05: A person commits a hate crime when he or she commits a specified criminal offense and either intentionally commits the act or intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is 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 a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.
How to Report a Bias Incident
We encourage any campus community member who experiences or witnesses a bias act or hate crime to report this incident by using the Bias Incident Reporting Form.
You can report any bias-related incident, even if it isn’t a crime or a direct violation of the Student Code of Conduct, University discrimination policy or any other institutional policy. It is important that these incidents are recognized, reported, investigated and reconciled.
Please be aware that the Bias Incident Response Team must inform the University Police Department of any crimes that are reported to the team.
In the event of an emergency, immediately contact the University Police Department at 518-442-3131 or via an Emergency Phone. Do not use the Bias Incident Response Team’s reporting form for emergency situations.
Your confidentiality and trust are important to us. We will make every effort to respect your privacy, and you can submit reports anonymously. Please be aware, however, that in certain circumstances involving safety or criminal action, the Bias Incident Response Team may not be able to guarantee anonymity.
Additionally, please note that the actions the University may take in response to a complaint may be limited if the complaint is submitted anonymously.
Regardless of the situation, matters are handled discreetly and in conformity with UAlbany privacy practices and applicable policies, and information about individuals or situations will be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know.
UAlbany also has strong anti-retaliation policies that protect members of the campus community who, in good faith, report incidents and/or cooperate in an investigation.
After a Report is Submitted
Once an incident is reported via the Bias Incident Reporting Form, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will send the submission to the entire Bias Response Team and/or appropriate University unit.
Please be aware that the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Bias Incident Response Team must inform the University Police Department of any crimes that are reported.
Next, the response team and/or appropriate campus unit will review the report, determine an appropriate course of action and proceed accordingly. Some actions may require forwarding the information contained in the report to other appropriate campus units for additional action.
If the reporting individual provided their name and contact information, they will be offered support and resources and, when appropriate, notified of any action taken.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will monitor all cases, provide a summary of the report to the University president and executive council and participate in any community response, as necessary.
The Bias Incident Response Team will analyze and detect any trends or emerging areas of concern so they can be incorporated into strategic planning.
Possible Outcomes
Depending on the nature of the reported incident, the Bias Incident Response Team may, through appropriate University officials:
- Offer support, as well as information, about available resources
- Provide the reporting individual with information and resources regarding the investigative and resolution process, in accordance with applicable University policies
- Inform University officials and, if applicable, consult on the institutional response
- Recommend or provide resources for community healing and outreach
- Assess avenues for minimizing or eliminating future bias incidents
Institutional responses may include:
- Removing offending graffiti or flyers, consistent with campus policy and the First Amendment
- Reaching out individually to those affected
- Offering resources and support to the individuals and communities affected.
- Organizing educational workshops or seminars
- Notifying the campus community about the incident, if warranted by the circumstances
Resources & Support Services