Helpful Definitions
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Bias
Toggle More InfoA strict belief or assumption made about a person or a group of people based on one’s beliefs about the group to which the person belongs.
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Discrimination
Toggle More InfoThe intentional or unintentional treatment of any member of the University community less favorably than those who are similarly situated based upon race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic predisposition, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, and/or veteran status.
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Harassment
Toggle More InfoUnwelcome conduct, including electronic and written communication that is based upon race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic predisposition, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, and/or veteran status. Harassment is further defined as behavior so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program, undermines the responsibilities of the employee, and/or creates a hostile working or learning environment.
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Hate Crime
Toggle More InfoFederal Definition: A hate crime is a traditional offense like murder, arson, or vandalism with an added element of bias. For the purposes of collecting statistics, Congress has defined a hate crime as a "criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic origin or sexual orientation." Hate itself is not a crime—and the FBI is mindful of protecting freedom of speech and other civil liberties.Florida Office of the Attorney General Definition: A hate crime is an act committed or attempted by one person or group against another - or that person's property - that in any way constitutes an expression of hatred toward the victim based on his or her personal characteristics. It is a crime in which the perpetrator intentionally selects the victim based on one of the following characteristics: race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, homeless status, advanced age or mental/physical disability.
For the Clery Act Definition and information, please read chapter 3 on the report: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/handbook.pdf
Additional InformationThe following activities are examples of crimes that qualify as hate crimes if motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived group identity:
- The hate crime must involve a specific target, such as a person or individual residence, house of worship, religious, ethnic, or gender-based organization, or business.
- Graffiti must be racial, ethnic, gender-based, religious, or homophobic in nature, using swastikas or other symbols and slogans of the KKK, Nazi party, or other hate groups, or involving the use of epithets.
- Bigotry must be the central motive for the attack, rather than economics, revenge, etc., as in other kinds of crime.
- Any assault against a person, in the absence of other apparent motivation, when initiated with racial, ethnic, religious, gendered or homophobic epithets, will be considered to be a hate crime.
- Vandalism to a house of worship, or to an ethnic, religious, or gay or lesbian organization will be considered a hate crime in the absence of evidence of other motives.
- Obscene or threatening phone calls, when containing racial, ethnic, religious, gender-based, or homophobic slurs, are considered hate crimes when it is determined that hate is the primary motivation for the call.
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Hate Speech
Toggle More InfoHate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a group of people based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability; hate speech includes written as well as oral communication. An important difference to recognize is that hate crime doesn’t always involve hate speech and hate speech in and of itself is not always a hate crime. -
Reasonable Accommodation
Toggle More InfoA term used in the employment context to refer to modifications or adjustments employers make to a job application process, the work environment, the manner or circumstances under which the position held or desired is customarily performed, or that enable a covered entity's employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment. This term is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to related aids and services in the elementary and secondary school context or to refer to academic adjustments, reasonable modifications, and auxiliary aids and services in the postsecondary school context. -
Retaliation
Toggle More InfoWhen an officer, agent, employee, student, contractor, vendor, or other third party takes an adverse action against an individual for his or her participation in protected activity. This includes action taken against a bystander who intervened to stop or attempt to stop discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. Retaliation includes intimidating, threatening, coercing, or in any way discriminating against an individual because of the individual’s complaint or participation.
