Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)
The 3 S’s of BIRT’s approach
Support
BIRT’s primary goal is to reduce bias at Mount Saint Mary’s University. BIRT takes all reports seriously and aims to support all parties involved, during the investigation and thereafter. Support materials/measures will be shared with parties soon after receipt of a report.
Suspend judgement
BIRT does not make determinations or assign responsibility until the investigation is complete. BIRT will conduct a thorough investigation of all bias incidents in a fair and impartial manner.
Speedy process
Where practical, BIRT aims to complete all reports of bias expeditiously.
Emergency contacts
Should a Mount community member experience a bias incident that warrants immediate attention, the reporter may contact Campus Safety at the following numbers. Campus Safety will contact the BIRT co-chairs. One of the BIRT co-chairs, or a member of BIRT, will contact the community member.
Chalon campus: 310.954.4123
Doheny campus: 213.477.2502
No retaliation
No individual will be retaliated against or otherwise disciplined for reporting in good faith a bias incident. The reporting individual and all parties participating in the investigation have the assurance of the University that no reprisals will be taken as a result of the report unless the report was filed in bad faith or for an improper purpose. If any individual feels like they have been retaliated against, they should immediately report the retaliatory conduct to BIRT, Human Resources or the Provost Office respectively, depending upon the responding office.
Team members
The Bias Incident Response Team* includes...
- Co-Chair: Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
- Co-Chair: Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee)
- For Staff: Human Resources representative (as needed)- CHRO/Sr HR Director and/or Assistant HR Director and/or HR Manager
- For Faculty: Provost Office representative (as needed)
- For Safety, Criminal: Campus Safety representative (as needed)
- For Inclusive Excellence Engagement: Center for Inclusive Excellence representative (as needed)
*Note. Based on the details of the BIRT report that has been submitted, BIRT members may be called upon to assist with an aspect of the investigation or serve as lead. Any member of BIRT can either choose or be asked to recuse themselves if their engagement may compromise the investigation.
Scope
Any Mount Saint Mary’s student, staff or faculty may complete a bias incident report.
Our values
Rooted in our CSJ heritage, Mount Saint Mary’s University is committed to fostering a diverse, antiracist and welcoming community to people of all backgrounds. We believe that these values are fundamental components of educational excellence and the advancement of knowledge. We strive to foster an environment that addresses bias and discrimination and achieves our shared values of upholding dignity for all.
Our charge
The charge of the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) is to support the university’s efforts to honor all community members in a spirit of inclusive excellence. When our community falls short, we will respond expeditiously to bias incidents.
Our purview
BIRT is the university’s first response team in addressing reported bias incidents. All reports will be referred to the co-chairs: Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships and the Office of Student Affairs who will make an initial determination of whether the matter should be referred to the entire BIRT for review/action or to selected members. In making this determination, BIRT may consult with Campus Safety, Human Resources, Center for Inclusive Excellence or other offices depending on the nature of the bias incident and the parties involved. Should BIRT decide not to refer the incident to the entire BIRT, the co-chairs may take action.