Campus and Community Index

• Acknowledge that acts of bias do occur on campus and in the broader community and work actively to combat bias.  You can begin by reporting incidents to inform the greater community.   
• Educate yourself to help dispel stereotypes.
• Hold people accountable for their language and actions.
• Plan and/or attend educational programs to raise awareness and combat bias.
• Engage one another in conversation about topics such as privilege, oppression and diversity.

Reports may fall under, but are not limited to, the following general categories:

• Graffiti/Vandalism on any College property or in local areas that communicate offensive, hurtful, inappropriate or unwelcoming messages that represent bias;
• Bias-related threats that target an individual or community based on race, color, ethnicity, social class, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability;
• Unequal service or treatment toward an individual or communities based on race, color, ethnicity, social class, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability;
• It may also include actions intended to reinforce stereotypes and stigmas such as those associated with race, color, ethnicity, social class, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, and physical and mental health, among others.
• Observation in which a person observes one of the incidents described above or interprets it as harmful to the Bowdoin community.

Note: Speech and related actions in the service of academic freedom and intellectual discourse do not constitute bias incidents.

All reports are directed to Janet Lohmann, Benje Douglas, and Katherine O'Grady. Dean Lohmann will share reports with Student Affairs staff, Security, and/or Human Resources, as appropriate so that a staff member can follow-up with the individual who has submitted the report, and Security may, if necessary, conduct an investigation. Security will also communicate and collaborate with Brunswick Police and the State of Maine as appropriate.

Depending on the circumstances, a combination of the President, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Dean for Academic Affairs, the Senior Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity, the Director Gender Violence Prevention and Education, and/or the Vice President for Human Resources will review the bias incident report.  In all circumstances, when it has been determined that a bias incident has occurred, the campus community will be notified by e-mail. In instances where the alleged perpetrator(s) is a member of the Bowdoin community, the notification will be issued in a timely manner consistent with the requirements of a fundamentally fair investigation and, when appropriate, the disciplinary process.

Where the offender is known, the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs will handle student misconduct according to the student disciplinary process. Human Resources will handle cases of employee misconduct in accordance with College policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

If the offender is unknown, The Bias Incident Group will be informed and may be convened by the president to review the available facts and, when appropriate, to issue an all-campus communication. In addition, the Bias Incident Group may organize an institutionally coordinated response and follow-up educational efforts. 

The Advisory Committee for a Diverse Community will review reports at their regularly scheduled meetings to help inform the work of the Committee. 

Bowdoin’s “Campus and Community Index” is an online tool designed to:

• Promote transparency about what is happening in our community and prompt dialogue and action; and
• Create a historical record of incidents and behavior on campus or in the local Brunswick community that are inconsistent with the values of our learning community.

If members of the Bowdoin community experience or witness any apparent incident of harassment or discrimination by students, faculty, or staff, they are encouraged to discuss their concerns or request advice from deans, academic advisors, proctors, resident advisors, or members of the Human Resources staff.  In addition we have three Center Directors that can offer support.  These individuals include:

• Kate Stern, Associate Dean of Students for Inclusion and Diversity & Director of the Sexuality, Women & Gender Center
• Eduardo Pazos Palma, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Diversity & Director of Multicultural Student Life
• Oliver Goodrich, Director of the Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Such incidents violate both the ideals of the College and its Academic Honor Code and Social Code, as well as College Policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary sanctions. When such incidents violate the statutes of the State of Maine or Federal Law, criminal prosecution may be pursued.