Bias Impact Response Group

The Bias Impact Response Group (BIRG) was established in 2024 to give key campus stakeholders a mechanism to quickly assemble to address incidents of bias. BIRG helps ensure that affected parties have access to appropriate support and assists the college in responding to bias-related incidents.

Primary Functions

The primary functions of the BIRG are to:

  • Develop plans for community outreach after a bias incident.
  • Direct community members who have been affected by or witnessed hate crimes or bias incidents to campus supports and resources, including offices that can conduct formal investigations.
  • Establish and annually review the bias incident response protocol to ensure alignment with other related partners and protocols.
  • Engage key stakeholders who are best positioned to provide individual and community support in timely manner. 
  • Keep the senior leadership team regularly informed.
  • Meet regularly to monitor trends related to bias and their effect on campus climate.
  • Promote education and dialogue.

The BIRG does not:

  • Send immediate notifications of a bias incident.
  • Conduct investigations or make any findings of fact.
  • Propose or carry out any discipline of students, staff or faculty.

The BIRG includes members of the campus community who are available to support and guide the College’s response after a bias incident. Group members have knowledge of the applicable policies and can help provide resources and referrals as appropriate. Additional members of the community and/or outside experts may be consulted or otherwise asked to partner with the team on developing a response.

Current Bias Impact Response Group

  • Leana Amaez, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
  • Raymond Clothier, Interim Multifaith Chaplain
  • Don Dearborn, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Biology
  • Rosanna Ferro, Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Erin Foster Zsiga, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
  • Kristen A. Lainsbury, Vice President for Marketing and Communications 
  • Gwen Lexow, Associate Vice President for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
  • Patty Rooney, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

How to Report a Bias Incident

Reports should be made directly to Gwen Lexow, Associate Vice President for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator, or to Campus Safety.

Bias incidents may also be reported using this form.

Reporting persons may choose to remain anonymous. These reports are sent via a third-party service to the AVP for Title IX & Civil Rights compliance. If the reporter wishes to report anonymously, this service allows the college to communicate with the person making the report while maintaining complete confidentiality. 

Please be aware that you may not receive a same-day response to a report. Individuals needing emergency or immediate assistance should contact Bates Campus Safety (207-786-6111) or local law enforcement.

What is a Bias Incident?

As stated in the Bates Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy “Bates College is committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free educational, living and working environment for all members of the Bates community, including students, faculty, administrators, staff, and visitors. The college maintains policies that promote a community characterized by trust, mutual respect, and responsibility where all can feel secure and free from bias and discrimination in the classroom; social, recreations, and residential environments; and the workplace.

The terms Hate Crime and Bias Incident refer to a range of behaviors that are rooted in intolerance or prejudice based on protected identity characteristics. Since these terms are umbrella terms, incidents will be resolved based upon the actual category of prohibited behavior either listed above (harassment, bullying, etc.) or as defined by the Code of Student or Employee Handbook.”

Hate Crime: Hate Crime refers to the violence of intolerance and prejudice, intended to hurt and intimidate, committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated by an offender’s bias against a specific characteristic of an individual or group because of their race, ethnicity, national original, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability. Hate crimes are criminal offenses that include acts such as physical assault, stalking, cyberstalking, criminal threatening, intimidation, terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, arson, vandalism or other damage to property, reckless conduct, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or hate mail. Several Maine statutes provide civil and/or criminal remedies for hate crimes. All suspected hate crimes will be referred to the State of Maine Office of the Attorney General. Bates will pursue college disciplinary action under this policy. 1

Bias Incident: Bias Incident refers to any event of intolerance or prejudice, not involving violence or other criminal conduct intended to hurt and intimidate, committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated by an offender’s bias against a specific characteristic of an individual or group because of their race, ethnicity, national original, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability. Examples of bias incidents include hate speech, gay bashing, racist epithets, religious slurs, sexist jokes or cartoons, hate mail, offensive graffiti, or disparaging remarks on social media sites. Such incidents create a socially divisive atmosphere for members of the Bates community targeted and negatively affect the campus climate.2

How we work

BIRG assembles in response to a specific incident where prompt coordination of resources and ongoing communication and/or support is needed. BIRG also holds regular meetings to review prior incidents, refine protocol, and coordinate ongoing support, prevention and education efforts.

After an incident is reported, there are several potential steps before BIRG becomes involved. Consistent with our obligations under the Clery Act, if there is a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community, the College will issue a timely warning. Whether or not a timely warning is warranted, incidents are immediately referred to the appropriate party for investigation and action under our policies. The incident is then discussed with BIRG for coordination of community resources and/or response(s).

After an incident is reported, there are several potential steps before BIRG becomes involved. Consistent with our obligations under the Clery Act, if there is a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community, the College will issue a timely warning. Whether or not a timely warning is warranted, incidents are immediately referred to the appropriate party for investigation and action under our policies. The incident is then discussed with BIRG for coordination of community resources and/or response(s).
  1. Bates Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy, pg 28 ↩︎
  2. Bates Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy, pg 28 ↩︎