Office of Student and Community Standards

Take a Stand Against Hate Incidents and Crimes

Creating a Healthy Campus Climate

The University of Minnesota's Mission Statement commits us to establish and nurture an environment that actively acknowledges and values diversity and is free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice, intolerance, or harassment. Quoting Bill Lockyer (California Attorney General) “Hate crimes are among the most dehuman­izing of crimes because the perpetrator views his or her victim as lacking full human worth due to his or her skin color, language, relig­ion, sexual orientation, or disability. In addi­tion, a hate crime impacts the entire group to which the victim belongs, spreading concern throughout the community.” This is particularly distressing in an academic environment where a sense of safety and well-being are essential in building the trust that allows a diverse community to work together and learn from one another.

Definition of Hate Incident

A hate incident is some type of behavior or action motivated by hate but one that is protected by First Amendment rights (e.g., offensive jokes, name calling). Hate incidents are expressions of disrespectful bias, hate, harassment, or hostility against an individual or group because of the individual or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.  The conduct underlying some hate incidents might be protected speech, but still violate the University of Minnesota's commitment to civility and diversity. Constitutional rights will continue to be protected, but members of the University community also have the right to speak and engage in educational dialogue.

Examples of hate incidents include offensive hate flyers or other hate materials, such as a demeaning caricature of a certain group. A hate incident is non-criminal in nature.

Definition of Hate Crime

If the behavior or action interferes with the civil rights of others, it is then a hate crime. The victim is intentionally selected because of his or her race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation (which includes gender identity in its definition).

Examples of hate crimes include acts that result in injury, criminal damage to property, threats made or carried out, assault, and stalking.  A hate crime is a criminal act or attempted criminal act.

What You Can Do

The University encourages the gathering of people having diverse experiences and perspectives. You can contribute to and benefit from the community by exploring the different viewpoints and ideas that are represented. Following are some suggestions on what you can do to promote a healthy campus climate:

Think before you speak. Consider whether your expression of ideas and opinions may be hurtful or offensive to someone else.

• Speak out against hate. If you are uncomfortable about a joke or statement that has been made, explain why it is not tolerable.
• Recognize your own stereotypes and preju­dices.
• Be open to and respectful of what you can learn from others, both inside and outside the classroom, without prejudging or dismissing their opinions. Disagreements and open debates are expected, but remember to remain respectful of other points of view.
• Serve as a positive role model.
• Support the victim and listen to what she/he has to say. Victims of hate have been attacked simply because of who they are and tend to feel especially vulnerable. You can help victims by assuring them that they are valued members of our community. Visit or call the victim and show that you care. If the crime includes damage to property, gather your friends to help clean up—but not until the investigation is completed.
• Broaden your experience. Attend campus lectures and workshops, participate in cultural events and hate/bias crime prevention training. Take a course in human diversity, or join an organization promoting diversity and social justice.
• Work with community leaders to form organizations and offer resources to assist victims and to prevent future hate incidents and crimes.
• Make others feel included and valued in the community.

Advice for Victims

• Immediately call 911 for emergencies or (218) 726-7000 for University Police if you are a victim of a hate crime.
• If you need medical attention, seek help at UMD Health Services, St. Luke’s Hospital, or St. Mary’s Hospital.
• Photograph offensive graffiti, physical in­juries, and evidence of vandalism.
• Save any evidence, including offensive e-mail, text, or voice-mail messages.
• Write a chronology of the event, which may assist you later in recalling the facts:
  - the exact words that were spoken
  - a description of the perpetrator and his or her vehicle
  - exactly where and when the incident occurred
  - names, addresses, and telephone numbers of other victims and any witnesses
• Make photocopies of hate mail or any other pertinent documents.
• Keep a log of hate calls.

Reporting an Incident or Crime

If you are a victim of a hate crime (criminal in nature), immediately call 911 for emergencies or (218) 726-7000 for University Police. If you, someone you know, or a group within our university community, has experienced bias, discrimination, or hostility, please report incidents that occur in University housing to UMD Housing and Residential Life staff or the Office of Equal Opportunity (contact information is in Campus Resources section You may also file a report on line at:

http://www.d.umn.edu/umdoeo/bias_discrimination_harassment_reporting_form.html

We are concerned about incidents based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and/or sexual orientation.  The University will provide support and address disrespectful bias and discrimination within our community. It is important that incidents are reported, so that we can respond and help those who are targeted.  By reporting incidents, you become part of the solution.

Reasons for reporting an incident:

• victim can receive support
• damage to property can be repaired
• perpetrators will be held accountable
• University will take steps in improving a healthy campus climate
• efforts will be made to prevent further acts of hate incidents and crimes

Campus Resources

There are numerous places at UMD where you can receive assistance in addressing hate incidents and crimes:

African American Student Programs
249 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-8444
www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/aa/

American Indian Learning Resource Center
315 Kirby Plaza; (218) 726-6379
www.d.umn.edu/ailrc/

Asian/Pacific American Student Programs
235 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-6335
www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/seaa/

Council of Religious Advisors
106 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-8737

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Services
245 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-7300
www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/glbt/

Health Services
Counseling; (218) 726-7913
Medical; (218) 726-8155
www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/

Housing/Residence Life
Housing 149 Lake Superior Hall; (218) 726-8178
Residence Life 189 Lake Superior Hall; (218) 726-7390
www.d.umn.edu/housing/

International Student Services
237 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-8962
www.d.umn.edu/admissions/istudents/

Latino/Chicana Student Programs
233 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-8444
www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/hlc/

Office of Cultural Diversity
270 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-8444
www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/msc/

Office of Disability Resources
258 Kirby Student Center; (218) 726-6130
www.d.umn.edu/access/

Office of Equal Opportunity
255 Darland Administration Building; (218) 726-6849, 726-6827
www.d.umn.edu/umdoeo/

Office of Student and Community Standards [Student Conduct Code]
250 Darland Administration Building; (218) 726-8969
www.d.umn.edu/conduct/

University Police
287 Darland Administration Building; emergency: 911, (218) 726-7000
www.d.umn.edu/police/

Additional Resources

MN Department of Human Rights
190 East Fifth Street, Suite 700
St. Paul, MN 55101
1-800-657-3704
www.humanrights.state.mn.us/