Dear Campus Community,
I am excited to share important updates regarding our ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment at Sacramento State. From July to December 2023, enhancements have been made to our bias response protocol found on the Belonging Education and Support web pages. These enhancements include:
1. Refined definition of a bias incident: We have revised the definition of bias incidents to mirror their non-judicial nature more accurately. The new definition is: "A bias incident is any form of prejudice or favoritism, directed towards or against any individual, group, department, or program, which results in unfair treatment, outcomes, or disparate impact."
2. Updated terminology in the Bias Reporting Tool (BRT): To align with our commitment to a non-judicial approach, we've updated key terminologies in the BRT. The term “complainant” has been replaced with “concerned individual,” and “respondent” with “responding individual.” These changes reflect a more supportive and understanding approach to all individuals involved in a bias incident report process.
3. Expanded bias categories: Reflecting on the feedback and reports from previous quarters, we have expanded the categories in the BRT to include:
- Antisemitism: prejudice against or hatred towards Jewish individuals, Jews as a people, Jewish ethnicity, culture, clothing, institutions, and/or religion/religious teachings.
- Disability: any type of prejudice, perceived inability, or preferences based on disability.
- Islamophobia: prejudice against or hatred towards persons who adhere to the principles of Islam, including culture, clothing, institutions, and/or religion/religious teachings.
4. Inclusion of additional campus partners: We have enhanced the coordination and integration of our campus support resources, such as the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO), Facilities Management, and campus police within the BRT processes. This ensures that reports are directed to the most appropriate office, providing a more streamlined, timely, and effective response.
5. Enhanced reporting resources and process clarity: To offer greater clarity and support, we have developed and updated flowcharts outlining the bias reporting process. These resources aim to demystify the procedure and provide clear guidance for those involved in a bias incident.
6. Shift from case closing to closure: Recognizing the emotional and personal impact of bias incidents, we are shifting our focus from simply closing cases to ensuring meaningful closure for all parties involved. This approach is designed to provide a more compassionate, trauma-informed, and comprehensive restorative process.
Upcoming Enhancements:
7. Assessing belonging: We are excited to introduce a new initiative to assess the sense of belonging within our campus community. This assessment will focus on four key elements: feeling valued, acknowledged, connected, and a sense of pride in being part of Sacramento State. Assessment efforts will be geared toward individuals’ experiences throughout the bias reporting process. Understanding these elements will help us create strategies that foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment.
8. Usability research for enhanced experience: In our efforts to continuously improve, we will be conducting usability research to enhance the overall experience of using the BRT. This research aims to identify areas for improvement, making the tool more user-friendly and effective.
9. Educational video on bias reporting process: To provide more awareness and clarity surrounding the bias reporting process, we will be publishing a three-minute educational video that walks viewers through the bias reporting process from intake to closure.
As we move forward, Belonging Education Support is dedicated to continuously adapting and enhancing our bias response protocols to better serve the diverse needs of our students, staff, faculty, visitors, and the broader Sacramento community. We value your feedback and encourage you to share your experiences and suggestions.
Thank you for your commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful campus culture. Together, we can make Sacramento State a place where everyone knows they belong.
In partnership,
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and University Diversity Officer
Dr. Michael V. Nguyen
Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Executive Director of the Office for Cultural Transformation
Derek Bradley
Interim Director of Belonging Education and Support