Fall 2017
What Happened? Faculty's Harsh Criticism of Student's Work [Closed and resolved]
On December 14, 2017 a student made a report to the Ethics Point system, and that report was forwarded to BART. The student and BART co-chair, Dr. Taj Smith, agreed to postpone the meeting until early spring semester to allow the student to focus on their academic performance during finals. During the second week of spring classes the student and Dr. Smith met to discuss the report which involved a faculty member directing harsh and public criticism about the student's work over multiple semesters.
How has the Bias Advisory and Response Team responded?
Based on the student's fear of retaliation and request not to approach the professor about the report, BART was limited in its actions to address the matter. In addition, the student did not clearly articulate that a bias existed on the basis of a social identity they hold. As a result, BART ended their role and informed the dean of the academic college about the report and they will consider any possible actions going forward.
What Happened? Late Night Breakfast "I Hate Mexicans" Comment [Closed and resolved]
On December 12, 2017 a student reported a man during the Late Night Breakfast event telling the student, "I hate Mexicans." According to the student, the man made this comment out of the blue during a conversation they were having.
How has the Bias Advisory and Response Team responded?
BART responded by meeting and talking with the student several times about their report as there was some uncertainty about the person's identity and status on campus. Based on a photo roster, the student was unable to identify the person as a full-time staff member. At this time, BART and the student are unsure if this person is a student, faculty or part-time staff member.
What Happened? Chalk Vandalism Outside Justice Hall/Currito [Closed and resolved]
On the morning of December 9th, 2017 a report was made by a student who came across the chalked message, "#FreePalestine", on the sidewalk outside of Justice Hall and Currito. It seems that message had been up for at least a day. New chalked comments were written under the hashtag that read "F*ck Palestine", "Palestine=Isis" and "Trump2020."
How has the Bias Advisory and Response Team responded?
BART immediately asked specific staff members to reach out to individuals, student groups and leaders likely to be most affected by this incident and offer their support. The student who committed the act came forward after the campus-wide email was sent out. The Dean of Students Office investigated this incident, identified the responsible individual and facilitated a student conduct process in response to the behavior.
BART considered offering an open forum space but due to finals occurring that week decided not to pursue that option in our protocol due to finals approaching. Instead, BART encouraged concerned and directly impacted students to reach out to the Center for Faith and Justice, Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Center for International Education, Psychological Services Center and McGrath Health and Wellness for emotional support.
What Happened? Degrading Language on Social Media [Closed pending new information]
During the weekend and week after the Crosstown Shootout men's basketball game, BART received a number of reports regarding images posted on social media. On Saturday, Dec. 2nd, a student reported an Instagram image and message that depicted Xavier students sitting outside of a house with a white sheet in the background that read, "UC Girls Get Taken Out On Trash Day."
Two days later, the same student emailed another image involving Xavier students standing outside of off-campus housing with a white sheet that read, "U.C. Girls are Easier to get into than PAV (short for the Mount Adams Pavilion)." On Tuesday, Dec. 5th, two additional images were sent to the Dean of Students. One was taken from the Barstool XU Twitter account and another one from a person's social media page. Barstool Sports is a satirical sports and men's lifestyle blog. The images posted to the Barstool XU Twitter account is not considered to be an example of a bias incident, but highly offensive to the U.C. men's head coach and others. The image that was designated a bias incident read, "I'd Rather Send My Son To Prom w/ Kevin Spacey Than to U.C."
How has the Bias Advisory and Response Team responded?
BART met to discuss the nuances of the social media images and messages. BART determined that despite any "joking" intentions and competitive banter in some of these messages they communicate degrading language that targets women and minimizes the experiences of men-identified victims/survivors of sexual violence. The Dean of Students office reached out to Extreme Fans and SGA to consider educational guidelines for fan engagement in the future.
What Happened? Voicemail Impacts International Student [Closed and resolved]
On Tuesday, Nov. 14th, an African student called Xavier Student Health Services (McGrath) to acquire immunization records. Upon receiving a missed call from a McGrath staff member the student proceeded to walk to the center. As the student was walking they listened to a voicemail left by that staff member. The voicemail requested that the student follow up, but the staff member did not properly end the call. As a result, a conversation ensued between staff about the student's name without their knowing.
The staff who left the voicemail expressed shocked in discovering that a young girl from (blank place) in Africa would have the name she had. After listening to this voice message, the student's reaction was of shock and they did not proceed to pick up the records until the following day. They sought immediate council of Res Life staff who originally made BART aware of the incident.
How has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
BART informed the supervisor of the primary staff in question about the student report. The supervisor and staff member expressed their sincere apology for any offense caused and have extended an opportunity to meet with the student. Based on BART's listening of the recorded conversation and hearing from the staff, we conclude the staff were engaged in a learning experience but equally communicated to them the negative impact it had on the student.
What Happened? Family and Marriage Classroom Discussion [Closed and resolved]
On October 17, 2017, two students brought to the Chief Title IX Officer's attention comments made by a professor that they experienced as biased against gay and lesbian individuals and specifically, against same sex marriage. Students disagreed with these arguments and took issue with what they felt was conduct misaligned with Xavier's mission and stated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
How Has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
The Chief Title IX Officer met with the professor who shared his perspective on the context of the discussion- to encourage students to confront ideas and investigate reality- and his approach to robustly challenge students' logic and principles. The Chief Title IX Officer affirmed his right to academic freedom and shared the impact the debate had on some students. The Chief Title IX Officer assessed that she would not take additional Title IX action after assessing the information under Xavier's Sex Discrimination policies and encouraged the professor to share even more proactively and clearly his intentions around and approach for such classroom discussion. The Chief Title IX Officer shared all information with BART.
BART does not believe the professor's remarks about same-sex marriage being legally recognized are an example of a bias incident because it was in the context of intellectual engagement using differing opinions and factual information. However, BART does feel the professor's comparing same-sex marriages to humans being able to "marry a dog or a computer" (one specific component of the discussion reported by the students) as problematic bias conduct, because it is not an accurate comparison, suggests that gay or lesbian people are abnormal, and minimizes their relationships.
For this reason, BART wants to work with the professor on how to better frame his desire to engage different fact or value-based perspectives on family and marriage while inviting brave spaces for students to consider alternative positions while never having to defend their humanity. BART offered its services to come into the classroom impacted to help process the incident with all students present during the discussion.
What Happened? Inappropriate Classroom Remarks During Exam [Closed and resolved]
A woman-identified student taking a midterm early in October reported being very uncomfortable by a guest professor's comments prior to the exam for which he was proctoring. In a course that has very few women students, the proctoring professor was reported saying, "We should just kick them [women in class] all out, so they can't take the midterm." Despite the joking intention, the reporting student had a difficult time concentrating on the exam.
How Has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
The initial report came to the Chief Tittle IX Officer. The Chief Title IX Officer quickly informed BART co-chairs. It was discussed that the Chief Title IX Officer would reach out to the proctoring professor and the professor teaching the course. The Chief Title IX Officer concluded there wouldn't be any additional follow up on this issue from a Title IX/Xavier Sex Discrimination standpoint. BART reached out to the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences who will speak with the professors involved to determine next steps. After talking with the Dean, the professor agreed that it is his professional responsibility to act and speak in class-whether in his own class or another class-in ways that support all students' effective learning.
BART offered its services to come into the classroom impacted to help process the incident with all students present during the exam.
What Happened? Bias Language Used Among Roommates [Closed and resolved]
On September 26, 2017, bias language, "retard" and "the n-word," were used among roommates and reported.
How Has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
BART determined that this incident did not rise to the level of a campus-wide email. The Dean of Students Office will be meeting with the student alleged to have made these statements. Res Life staff will reach out to support the reporting party. Based on recent patterns of behavior, BART will discuss organizing an inclusive language educational initiative for the campus in the near future.
What Happened? Slur on Classroom Chalkboard [Closed and resolved]
A homophobic slur ("f-word") was written on a chalkboard in a classroom in Alter Hall. It was discovered by a professor during a morning class on September 21, 2017 around 10am. Several of his students saw the slur before the professor entered the classroom. He erased the writing after taking a photo and submitting it to the Dean of Students and BART co-chairs. No one has been identified as being responsible yet.
How Has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
BART determined that this incident did not rise to the level of a campus-wide email. BART offered to have a member attend the class to help students process but the professor felt comfortable in discussing the incident with his students. The Dean of Students Office will look into the matter further. Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Rachel Chrastil, was also made aware of the incident and will assist as needed.
What Happened? Swastika and Offensive Language on Vehicle [Closed pending new information]
On September 20, 2017 at 12am, a bias incident was reported by a student and RA. The incident involved a car being vandalized with a drawing of a swastika, a penis, and the word "bitch" written on the hood of the vehicle which was parked in the Village Apartments lot. There are no further details to share at this time.
How Has the Bias Advisory and Response Team Responded?
BART determined that this bias incident was not worthy of a campus-wide email. The Dean of Students has reached out to the student reporter and XUPD will reach out to the owner of the vehicle.