Actions or expressions that are motivated by prejudice against or hostility toward a person or group, because of the person’s or group’s actual or perceived identity including: age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, retaliation, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

• Microaggressions
• Racial epithets written on someone's dry-erase board.
• Posting or commenting on social media related to someone's identity in a biased matter.
• Racially themed parties.
• Jokes or impersonations that perpetuate identity-driven stereotypes
• Using a racial, ethnic, or other slur in a joke or to identify someone

Yes

Yes

Hate crimes are a subcategory of bias/hate incidents that are criminal acts. They are any criminal offense “motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”

UCR Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines Training Manual

• harassment (online or in-person)
• intimidation
• physical attacks such as hitting, punching, pushing, spitting
• threats of violence
• vandalism
• stalking
• arson

Report bias-related incidents with the Bias Education Support Team

Crimes should be reported to UVU Police or (801) 863-5555.

A BEST advocate contacts persons who submitted a report to 1) ensure that we understand the concern; 2) assess any immediate support needs; and 3) discuss potential next steps for you and other impacted individuals. Reporters requesting additional support will receive confirmation of receipt and should anticipate additional outreach from the response team. If your report is for “information only,” a BEST advocate may contact you for additional details or to provide an update on next steps.

What happens Next?

No. Any level of participation in bias education is completely voluntary.

The BEST does not conduct investigations, adjudicate complaints, or issue sanctions. However, like all employees at UVU, the BEST must report any alleged criminal acts or UVU policy violations to the appropriate offices for follow-up.

Please report any incident you interpret as a bias incident. BEST will evaluate and discuss appropriate next steps.

Incidents of sex discrimination or sexual harassment—including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking—should be reported to the Title IX Office by any of the following contact methods:

1. In person at the Browning Administration Building, Suite 203, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058 (M–F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.);
2. By mail to Utah Valley University, MS 272, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058 (any time);
3. By telephone at 801-863-7999 (any time);
4. By e-mail at TitleIX@uvu.edu (any time);
5. Online at www.uvu.edu/equalopportunity/titleix (any time); or
6. By any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s oral or written report.

Protected class is sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, religion, or genetic information. You do not need to be a member of a protected class to submit a bias report.