Hate and bias incidents that occur on campus are experiences that should never be part of the Wisconsin Experience. UW–Madison is committed to creating safe and supportive living and learning environments that are free from violence, harassment, and intimidation.
The Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) uses the following definition of bias:
Unwelcome conduct that targets someone based on their belonging to a specific group or “protected class”. Protected classes at UW-Madison include age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, and military service or veteran status.
Examples of unwelcome conduct may include isolated incidents involving microaggressions, slurs, degrading language or intimidation. This unwelcome conduct may also be ongoing behavior repeated behavior that ultimately interferes with someone’s education or work environment.
If you experienced a hate or bias incident, witnessed this type of incident, or if a student comes to you having experienced this type of behavior, there are resources available to you. Both faculty/staff and students have the ability to report an incident of bias or hate online through the OSAS and the Office of Compliance.