Monthly Reporting Patterns (from the Bias Incident Response Team)
The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) of Saint Mary’s College strives to promote a safe, hate-free environment where all people can live, work, and learn. One of BIRT’s primary roles is to collect and share reporting patterns with the Saint Mary’s community. Monthly announcements will be posted here on the MySMC Portal as updated reports are available. To access updates to reporting patterns since the start of Fall 2021 term, click here:
ACCESS TO BIRT REPORTING PATTERNS
To report a concern, click here:
To request bias incident report training, learn more about the reporting process, and our goals, click here:
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF BIRT?
1) educate the Saint Mary’s community about the protocol for reporting bias incidents and hate crimes and assess whether reports are bias-related;
2) provide resources for reporters and/or individuals or groups that may be affected;
3) recommend appropriate actions and educational programs to responsible offices (e.g. trainings, restorative practices, mediations, collaborative programming), that are both preventative and responsive to bias incidents and hate crimes;
4) collect and share all reporting patterns with the Saint Mary’s community (reporting data is available on the BIRT website; when appropriate, a campus-wide message may also be sent out if a trend occurs); and
5) monitor the campus climate around issues of diversity and civility.
BIRT is not punitive and does not have a disciplinary function. Rather, BIRT is educational and strives to promote community and self-accountability.
HOW WILL MY REPORT BE ADDRESSED? WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I FILE A REPORT?
When you file a report, you can choose if you’d like to be contacted by a team member to learn more about resources that may be helpful to you. In this case, a member follows up with you directly (if reporter is known). Simultaneously, BIRT assesses if any protected categories of identity were possibly targeted based on the information provided. If possible bias-related, BIRT makes recommendations to the responsible campus office for handling and accountability. A BIRT member or the campus office may contact the reporter if more information is needed to resolve the report.
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE A REPORT ABOUT A CONCERN (GENERAL OR BIAS) THAT I HAVE AT SMC?
Yes. There are multiple avenues to reporting at the College. BIRT is “a” way of reporting bias, but it’s not “the” only way.
Report a Student of Concern or General Concern, click here
Report an Employee or Third Party of concern through Human Resources, click here
If Title IX Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault, click here
Contact Campus Safety, here
For any questions or concerns, email:
Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chair of the Bias Incident Response Team, Dr. Evette Castillo Clark: ecc4@stmarys-ca.edu
Click the BIRT Website here for more information about BIRT's goals, membership, and process.