Bias and Discrimination
What is Bias?
Bias is personal, unreasoned judgment or attitude that inclines an individual to treat someone negatively because of their real or perceived protected characteristic (from the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement).
What is Discrimination?
Unlawful discrimination is the adverse treatment of an individual based on a protected characteristic, rather than individual merit (from the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement).
Discriminatory harassment is any unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic where such conduct creates a hostile environment (from the Code of Student Conduct).
IMPORTANT
Bias is a comprehensive term - unlawful discrimination and discriminatory harassment are smaller categories of behaviors that can create a violation of university policy.
What is a Protected Characteristic?
Protected characteristics include age, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and/or other characteristics protected by applicable law (from the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy).
Bias and Discrimination Can Occur:
- On- and off-campus
- Verbal
- Written
- Images
- Physical
- In classroom environments
- Discussion boards
- Assignments
- Grading
- Through virtual channels
- Social media
- Texting
Reporting Incidents of Bias and Discrimination
It is important to note that you have the option to report incidents anonymously, and every report is handled with care and trust. Not all reports result in a formal conduct process.
- Experiencing Bias or Discrimination?
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Contact the Office for Diversity Equity, and Community Engagement (ODECE)
Submit an online report to the Bias Incident Response Team
Students: 202-994-7434
Faculty: 202-994-5884
Staff: 202-994-9656
If a case should receive formal conduct follow-up, ODECE can refer to the appropriate offices.
- Experiencing Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment?
-
Contact the Title IX Office
Submit an online report to the Title IX Office
202-994-7434
A member of the team will follow up. You may have the option for informal resolution or a formal disciplinary process.
- Interested in Pursuing a Formal Conduct Process?
-
Contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities
Submit an online report through the public incident report form
(202) 994-6757
A member of the team will follow up. You may have the option for informal resolution or a formal disciplinary process.
Resources
Student Health Center - Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) (confidential)
Office of Advocacy & Support (OAS) (confidential)
International Services Office (ISO)
Multicultural Student Services Center
If the incident is an emergency or medical attention is required, call 911 immediately or report it directly to the George Washington University Emergency Services at 202-994-6111.