Guidelines for Reporting Bias-Related Confrontations and Incidents

When a bias-related incident is reported:

• Student Life will dispatch a response team to include:
  • Individually or collectively, the Associate Vice President for Student Life, the Coordinator for Intercultural and Diversity Center, and the Director of Student Conduct and Advocacy.
  • Representatives of other offices such as --
    • Campus Ministries Association, Student Health Services, Office of the Provost, University Police, Campus Living, Counseling Services, University News Bureau, Human Resources or University Services, as deemed appropriate.

If a bias-related incident should accelerate into a physical confrontation, witnesses should:

• Contact University Police immediately at 716-645-2222
  • University Police will begin implementing a plan of action.
  • University Police will notify the Vice President for Student Life who will coordinate the University’s response plan.

In the case of bias-related graffiti:

• The Vice President for Student Life will contact University Police who will:
  • Take photographs of the defaced property as a normal part of the investigative process.
  • Contact the Office of Customer Service for immediate cleaning of the area.

Many bias-related incidents may attract outside media. The Vice President for Student Life, in concert with the University News Bureau, has responsibility for all press releases or official University statements regarding bias-related incidents. No comments should be made to the media by unauthorized individuals.

• Residence halls constitute a private area reserved for student life.
• Members of the press or media personnel, like members of the public, are not permitted entry to these areas.
• If members of the press or media have entered or are attempting to enter residence life areas in response to an incident in the residence halls.
• Campus Living employees or authorized University personnel have the right to forbid entry or request that outsiders leave the premises.

In the event that a bias-related incident develops in any area:

• An accurate investigation must be conducted by Student Life and University Police.
• Parties witnessing the incident may be the most valuable resources the University has in reconstructing the incident so that an appropriate University response can be made.
• Witnesses’ willingness to step forward and speak about bias-related incidents can be of great assistance in understanding what went wrong.

Prior to the arrival of representatives from University Police and/or the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, staff members or student witnessing the incident should:

• Record their observations of what occurred and what appeared to have precipitated the incident
• Attempt to identify as many people as possible who were participants in the altercation.

The University would like to eliminate bias-related incidents, but should one occur, assistance and cooperation by witnesses are needed to manage the incident intelligently and to see that appropriate steps are taken to assist victims of these acts.

• It is imperative that an attempt to minimize the damage and control rumors remains a priority.
• A determination as to what course of action will be taken against the offending parties will be made later by the appropriate University authorities.

Students should report all bias-related incidents to: University Police: 716-645-2222


Student Life: 716-645-2982

Report all discrimination incidents involving students to: Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
 406 Capen Hall 
716-645-2266; 716-645-3952 (fax)

If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, sexual preference, sexual orientation, marital status or veteran status, the following steps can be taken:

1. Contact the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office (EDI), 406 Capen Hall, 716-645-2266, for an appointment to report the incident. Victims of bias-related incidents constituting a crime will be strongly encouraged by the EDI Office to file a report immediately with University Police. 

2. After determining the nature of the complaint, the EDI officer will attempt an informal resolution by talking with the alleged offender's supervisor.

a. After this, a meeting may be arranged to include the alleged offender, his or her supervisor, and the complainant. At this meeting, the EDI officer will act as a mediator in an attempt to resolve the issue.

b. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the informal negotiations, a formal grievance may be initiated.

3. Formal grievances may be filed with any of the following:

a. Within the University, through the EDI Office

b. New York State Division of Human Rights, 65 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716-847-7632

c. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 6 Fountain Plaza, Suite 350, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716-551-4441

d. Office of Civil Rights, Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10276

4. Pursue civil action through the courts.