Bias Response Team

About and Mission

The Bias Response Team is committed to ensuring that students, staff, faculty and guests feel a sense of belonging, safety and welcome to be their authentic selves throughout the fabric of campus. Such a community fosters a more equitable and inclusive campus climate, a goal for which we strive. The mission of the BRT is to:

  1. Promote a campus community that proactively affirms, encourages and uplifts campus values of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
  2. Convene and strategize campus response when incidents disrupt or have the potential to disrupt the learning and/or working environment of the campus community.
  3. Meet regularly to discuss and develop resources in accordance with culturally responsive and restorative practices to establish a safe and inclusive campus where all students, staff, faculty and guests feel a sense of belonging and opportunity to thrive.
  4. Help students, staff, faculty and guests in reporting incidents to the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights.

Campus Response to Incidents

  • The BRT mobilizes with urgency to reaffirm, reinforce and restore campus values of community, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
  • The BRT provides consistent support, resources and information to campus community in general and in the wake of campus unrest.
  • The BRT recommends transparent communication from university and may partner in university response.

Assistance in Reporting Incidents to WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights

  • BRT members may help students, staff, faculty and guests in locating, completing, and/or submitting an incident report to the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights.
  • The BRT does not investigate or serve as investigators of reported incidents of bias and/or discrimination. As mandated reporters, BRT members will consult with CCR on incidents that implicate Executive Policy #15. CCR may conduct investigations or engage in other resolutions for allegations that may implicate EP 15.

Develop Proactive and Culturally Responsive Resources

  • The BRT is not punitive. It examines culturally responsive strategies for responding to campus incidents and develops proactive resources to promote a campus climate of safety, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.