SCTCC Bias Incident Response Commitment

St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) is committed to providing the education, training, and support necessary for equitable participation in our society, economy, and democracy. We will create and maintain a welcoming, caring, inclusive, and engaging environment that fosters a sense of belonging and that is free of discrimination and harassment. Bias incidents undermine these efforts. They limit our ability to excel in teaching and learning, and service to our communities. They also impede free and open discourse and our ability to know and learn from one another. Biased and hateful expression cause harm and fractures in our communities that must be addressed. 

What is a bias incident? 

A bias incident is an act that may include, but is not limited to, bigotry, harassment, or intimidation that is motivated in whole or in part by bias based on an individual's or group's actual or perceived age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, local human rights commission activity, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), and/or sexual orientation. Bias often stems from fear, misunderstanding, hatred, and stereotypes and may be intentional or unintentional. Incidents may not necessarily rise to the level of a crime or policy violation to constitute a bias incident. However, they still can have a significant impact on those who are affected by them. 

Policies and Procedures 

SCTCC has policies, procedures, and protocols in place that enable the College to attend to the health and safety of members of the campus community, manage individual complaints or grievances, and adjudicate possible violations of College or Minnesota State policies and/or local, state or federal laws.

Bias Incident Report Form 

Bias Incident Response Team

SCTCC’s Bias Incident Response Team comprehensively and collaboratively addresses reports of bias incidents that impact SCTCC students and employees. The team will be composed of key college stakeholders who collaboratively work to respond to reports of bias incidents impacting SCTCC. The Vice President of Community, Culture, and Institutional Climate will coordinate the Bias Incident Response Team and the implementation of the policies, procedures, and protocols in response to incidents. The Bias Incident Response Team will not have a role in determining whether laws, policies, or procedures have been violated or imposing disciplinary action.

The Team includes: 

  • Vice President of Community, Culture, & Institutional Climate- co-chair 
  • Vice President of Student Affairs- co-chair  
  • Human Resource Representative 
  • Academic Affairs Administrator  
  • Accessibility Services Representative 
  • Director of Campus Life 
  • Director of Cultural Fluency, Equity and Inclusion 
  • Director of Marketing & Communications 
  • Safety and Security Representative  
  • Director of Student & Academic Support Services  
  • Faculty representative 

Additional faculty, staff, and students may be invited to serve as consultants if they possess relevant expertise. 

The Team will be convened by the co-chairs in response to incidents on an as-needed basis. Co-chairs will convene for all incidents under review. Additional Team members will be convened depending on the circumstances of the incident. All Team members will convene at least twice per semester to review relevant policies, procedures, and practices, and to discuss best practices

Any member of the campus community who experiences or becomes aware of a possible bias incident is encouraged to report it to any member of the Bias Incident Response Team. Reports can be filed online with an option to remain anonymous. Anonymously reported forms may limit the Team’s ability to respond. The co-chairs will review the report and determine the appropriate response based on factors such as severity, available information, and community impact. 

Every effort will be made to identify and provide opportunities for the SCTCC community that will enhance and encourage inter-group dialogue that focuses on relevant issues of bias and discrimination, effective strategies for enhancing individual and community safety and well-being and reinforcing community values. 

Bias Incident Report Form