Belonging and Bias Education and Support

Click to see B.E.A.T. Flyer

The Bias Education and Advocacy Team (B.E.A.T) provides faculty and staff a safe space to have their voices heard, advocates for and empowers affected individuals, and works to promote a comprehensive and timely response to bias incidents. B.E.A.T collaborates with the Office of Human Resources to ensure faculty and staff are fully aware of the support and resources available to them. Each team member of B.E.A.T. will primarily act as a Process Advocate. Process Advocates are individuals who will provide advice, advocate, and support for staff or faculty before, during, and after reporting an incident. They are also culturally competent individuals trained to assist employees who seek an understanding of bias and/or the options/processes available once an incident has occurred.

Xavier faculty and staff are encouraged to report all bias incidents on our campus. To aid in these instances, B.E.A.T. has developed a questionnaire to be completed by individuals who are/might be victims of bias or who have witnessed bias incidents.  An individual may choose the type of response that is preferred from B.E.A.T.

If you know of anyone who has been physically harmed or who may harm others, please call XUPD at 513-745-1000.

What is a Bias Incident?

Bias Incidents are unintentional or intentional acts targeted at a person, group, or property expressing negative bias or hostility on the basis of perceived or actual gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political affiliation or disability; bias incidents may consist of name-calling, epithets, slurs, degrading language, graffiti, intimidation, coercion, or harassment directed toward the targeted person or group. Bias acts often contribute to creating unwelcoming or even unsafe environment for victims and social identity groups. Acts qualify as bias acts even when delivered with humorous intent or presented as a joke or a prank.  

   [Adapted from Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2011]

Examples of Bias Incidents

1. A female staff/faculty member is addressed by her supervisor for making "angry" comments during an office meeting. When a male co-worker of the female staff/faculty member expresses anger during a staff meeting, the supervisor responds with affirmations to the male co-worker.
2. A swastika is drawn on a whiteboard in a classroom.
3. A male faculty of color is met with skepticism when he showed up with his Xavier ONE Pass to pick up a parking decal and is questioned for several minutes. He was asked to produce additional forms of identification than what was advertised as necessary.
4. Two perceived men are holding hands and are yelled at by a passing staff member who calls them a homophobic slur.