What is the Anti-Bias Support Team?
The Anti-Bias Support Team (ABST) is designed to foster a more inclusive and welcoming campus community. Our goal is to realize the mission of Arcadia University in creating a world in which we want to live and to mirror the Lived Values of the institution. To that end, the ABST seeks to provide support for students who may be impacted by incidents of discrimination, harassment, bias, and microaggressions. This interdisciplinary and interdepartmental team of leaders will assist affected parties by offering a listening ear for those who desire to talk through an experience, advise them of various support services on campus, and guide them in making a decision to make a formal report, if they choose.
The ABST also provides support for any student who witnesses discrimination, bias, harassment, or microaggressions. Recognizing that it is difficult to intervene when observing mistreatment, any member of the campus community who would like guidance in how to manage a situation can reach out to a Bias Support Team member.
How does the Anti-Bias Support Team Function?
Students will reach out to Bias Support Team Members to share their experience.
- The ABST member will listen with compassion and empathy to the student
- The ABST member and student will discuss the options available to them
- The ABST member can support an individual, if they choose to make a formal complaint
The ABST will not replace any existing formal process for reporting discrimination, bias, and harassment. They do not investigate incidents, nor can they offer any disciplinary sanctions. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights, located at 777 Limekiln Pike, facilitates the formal process of complaints. [re: privacy]
What is a Bias Incident?
Conduct or behavior (verbal, nonverbal, or written) that is threatening, harassing,or discriminatory and is based on a Protected Characteristic. Protected Characteristics include ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender expression or identity, military or military veteran status, disability, medical or genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law. A Bias Incident includes any threats, harassment, and/or discrimination where there is evidence to suggest that the target/victim of those acts was chosen because of that individual’s Protected Characteristic(s). Bias Incidents may include Hate Crimes.
Examples of Bias Incidents include but are not limited to defacement of posters or signs; intimidating or harassing comments or messages (verbal or written); and vandalism to personal or University property.
We will work to maintain the privacy of all those who seek support. However, due to ensuring the safety of the community and to comply with federal regulations, some incidents may need to be reported to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, including those incidents that may constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment or sexual misconduct under the University’s Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.
Campus resources that maintain confidentiality are Counseling Services and Student Health Services. Staff in Counseling Services and Student Health Services are not mandated reporters.
Please refer to the Non-Discrimination and Non Harassment Policy and the Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct for more detailed information.
Interventions and Privacy
Once a bias incident is reported to an ABST team member, it will not be shared with the entire Anti-Bias Support Team. The students’ right to privacy is prioritized and balanced with the need to respond to the students’ concern(s). The ABST seeks to connect students with supportive resources needed to support their mental and emotional health.
For faculty and staff who have experienced bias and seek support, they may reach out to the Office of Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Human Resources, or the Campus Conduct Reporting Hotline.
