Communications


Date:  January 17, 2006 (Originally Distributed by E-mail)
To:  All Students in Charlottesville (graduate and undergraduate)
From:  Patricia M. Lampkin <vpsa@Virginia.edu>
Subject: Reporting Bias Complaints

Would you or your friends know where to go to file a bias complaint? Do you know how the University would respond and what resources are available?

You can find the answers to these questions on a new Web site: http://www.virginia.edu/justreportit

The "Just Report It" site provides a central tool for members of the University community to report bias complaints. The site includes the University's definition of "bias complaint" as well as information on what to expect in response from the University when such a complaint is reported, how to preserve evidence, and what resources and support are available.

To examine the University's management of bias complaints on Grounds, President Casteen appointed the Bias Implementation Task Force. The task force has worked to clarify and strengthen existing University policies and procedures. These measures, along with the creation of the Web site, now provide students and other members of the community with a simple, streamlined system for reporting bias complaints. In recent months, a few of our students were the targets of bias because of their race, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics. The new system will enable the University to track such incidents when they occur and develop strategies for addressing them. In addition, a bias review and advisory subcommittee will be appointed annually by the Vice President and Chief Officer for Diversity and Equity.

Remember: "just report it" if you, a friend or an acquaintance becomes the target of bias. Speed and accuracy are critical in the process, and the revised system offers tools designed to facilitate action.