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Relevant Excerpt

Discrimination or harassment of others on the basis of 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 has no place in our intellectual community.

Members of the College community are encouraged to report behavior that is inconsistent with these values; these reports can make a difference. Even if you don't want or expect any action to be taken, this record helps the College to better understand and address these issues. ...

What kinds of incidents should be reported?

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. 

Why should incidents of bias be reported?

Acts of bias are in direct violation of the College’s mission and values. The Mission of the College states that Bowdoin is committed to “creating a moral environment, free of fear and intimidation, and where differences can flourish…” An act of bias does not only affect the individual at whom the act was directed and individuals who may identify with the targeted group. If one group can be targeted, it opens the possibility that any group can be targeted.

Accepting acts of bias as normal isolates groups, erodes community, and creates an unwelcoming and unsafe environment within which to live, work and learn.