CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO

POLICY TO ADDRESS INTOLERANCE AND
BIAS-MOTIVATED HARASSMENT

RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL:   December 3, 2001
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT KARNIG:     December 5, 2001

REVISION #1
RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL:    October 7, 2002
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT KARNIG:  October 31, 2002

REVISION #2
RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL:  September 15, 2003
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT KARNIG:  October 3, 2003

FOR INTERPRETATION OF THIS POLICY, PLEASE CONTACT:  Dale T. West, Director of Human Resources, 909-880-5138

INTRODUCTION

"As the Diversity Statement stresses, 'All persons will be provided opportunity and encouragement to explore and discover the richness of the tapestry of human experience.  The university community is united in the condemnation of acts of hatred and intolerance.'  If we're all to blossom as an institution, all of us must feel safe -- and in fact be safe.  Actions that diminish any of us diminish us all.

"Because the university must -- and will -- embrace diversity of opinion and freedom of speech, there will be occasions in which words meant to express opinion may offend someone.  That type of pain is a concomitant of freedom of speech.  But acts that create fear are intolerable.

"This is an occasion to recommit ourselves to making the campus a place where everyone will feel safe and welcome -- and where all viewpoints will be given the opportunity for safe expression...

"In addition to specific steps, however, I believe we must each be concerned for one another and be attentive to acts of possible intimidation and discrimination.  Gay or lesbian bashing is no less vile than any other form of oppression.  We must stand as one on our common humanity.

"We will treat the question of a safe and secure campus as a priority."

President Albert K. Karnig
Convocation Address
September 14, 2000

PURPOSE 

California State University, San Bernardino is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and secure learning environment without distinction or discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, sex, color, marital status, age, disability, or sexual orientation.  Intolerance and bias-motivated harassment are antithetical to the mission of our university.  

Freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas are the foundation of our University community and CSUSB is committed to the protection of these central activities.  The University recognizes that it is essential that all individuals on our campus feel free to express their opinions, regardless of the popularity or the likelihood that their opinions may offend others.  Differing opinions are an invitation to offer and exchange our thoughts and ideas in a respectful and dignified manner.  

The university will investigate all formal complaints of bias-related harassment and will take appropriate action.  If it is determined that disciplinary charges should be initiated against a member of the campus community regarding allegations relating to harassment, the appropriate administrators will be consulted and the process will be conducted in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding and any applicable legal provisions.

PROCEDURES

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF INTOLERANCE AND BIAS-MOTIVATED HARASSMENT AND SUPPORT ADVISORS FOR EDUCATION (S.A.F.E.) CONTACT NETWORK

A.  The Committee for the Prevention of Intolerance and Bias-Motivated Harassment

The University will establish a standing Prevention of Intolerance and Bias-Motivated Harassment (PIBH) Committee to develop and monitor the administration of the S.A.F.E. Contact Network Program, and the "Prevention of Intolerance and Bias-Motivated Harassment" Education Program.   Committee members are appointed by the president and will include at least five members of the CSUSB campus community.  The committee will:

• Select, train and maintain at least fifteen faculty, staff, and administrators as members of a S.A.F.E. contact network.

B.  S.A.F.E. Contact Network Program

The faculty, staff, and administrator members of the S.A.F.E. contact network will serve as points of contact for persons who believe they have been the target of intolerant or bias-motivated harassment on our campus.  The individuals in this S.A.F.E. contact network will provide support and assistance during the reporting process.  The list of individuals selected to deal with these special issues will be listed in the class schedule and prominent campus publications.

The Role of S.A.F.E. Contacts Shall Be:

• To serve as an active listener in an objective manner.

• To identify/clarify the nature of the incident.

• To provide assurances of a response from the university to concerns raised.

• To offer the reporting party resources for coping strategies. 

• To gather and report information to appropriate university personnel.

• To identify and inform the individual of campus resources for reporting and assistance.

• To advise and assist in filing and reporting a complaint per campus procedures.

• To maintain information in a restricted manner and to refrain from public discussion.

• To be available for consultation to anyone seeking information regarding intolerance or bias-motivated behaviors.
  

Intolerance and bias motivated behavior are facets of discrimination.  The CSU maintains a web site for information related to filing a formal complaint at: http://www.calstate.edu/HR/complaintprocedures.pdf.

C.  THE "PREVENTION OF INTOLERANCE AND BIAS-MOTIVATED HARASSMENT" EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Intolerance and Bias-Motivated Harassment Education Program will disseminate information about discrimination, intolerance, bias-motivated harassment, hate crimes, and how to prevent them.  The primary goal of all components of the education program will be to prevent the occurrence of intolerance and bias-motivated behavior. 

The educational program will address four different campus constituencies:  1) students, 2) faculty, 3) staff employees and administrators, 4) Designated S.A.F.E. Contacts and others involved in handling intolerance and bias-motivated behavior complaints.

The Major Areas Covered will be:

• CSUSB commitment to address intolerance and eliminate bias-motivated harassment

• Definitions of intolerance and bias-motivated harassment

• Types of intolerance and bias-motivated harassment

• Myths and facts about intolerance and bias-motivated harassment

• Aspects of unlawful behavior, discrimination, and hate crimes

• Analyzing the causes of intolerance and bias-motivated harassment

• Effects of intolerance and bias-motivated harassment on victims

• Consequences to the University

• The role of S.A.F.E. Contacts and the committee

• Profiles of groups at risk for intolerance and bias-motivated harassment

• Avenues of complaint and resolution

Continuing education will be accomplished through various programs designed to educate and inform the campus community of intolerance, bias-motivated harassment and preventative approaches.  These programs shall be coordinated through the Campus Training/Development Program, which will work closely with all divisions and departments of the University.

Programs include:

• Workshops offered for employees (faculty, staff, and administrators) as a part of the regular training program cycle.

• Student workshops and/or classes that are well advertised with attention to sessions in the residence halls for students and on-campus sessions for all students.

• Materials incorporated into all new employee (faculty and staff) and new student orientation programs and other student orientation programs such as those that some departments hold for their graduate students.   A statement explaining the university's intolerance and bias-motivated harassment commitment shall be included in various campus publications, such as the university Bulletin, class schedule, and faculty/staff handbooks.  Copies of the entire commitment shall be distributed campuswide.

• Periodic articles and other forms of information will be made available in campus publications and through other forms of campus communication.

• Continuing education sessions conducted by faculty and staff, with appropriate training and background, without additional compensation.  Instruction will be accomplished, whenever possible, using a team teaching method.  The trainers shall be identified and recommended by the Committee.  Education sessions will strongly emphasize recognition and prevention of discrimination intolerance, bias-motivated harassment, and hate crimes, and the procedures available to report them.

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