Bias Crimes Prevention
The State University of New York at Fredonia Police shall protect all members of the Fredonia community by preventing and prosecuting bias or hate crimes that occur within the campus jurisdiction.
Hate crimes, also called bias crimes or bias-related crimes, are criminal activity motivated by the perpetrator’s bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Penalties for bias-related crimes are very serious and range from fines to imprisonment for lengthy periods, depending on the nature of the underlying criminal offense, the use of violence or previous convictions of the offender. Perpetrators who are students will also be subject to campus disciplinary procedures where sanctions including expulsion/dismissal are possible.
In addition to preventing and prosecuting hate/bias crimes, University Police also assist in addressing bias-related activities that do not rise to the level of a crime. These activities, referred to as bias incidents and defined by the University as objectively perceptible acts of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation directed at a member or group within the Fredonia community based on national origin, ethnicity, race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, color, creed, or marital status, may be addressed through the State University’s Discrimination Complaint Procedure or the campus Code of Conduct. Bias incidents can be reported to University Police, the Office of Student Affairs, or the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Students are encouraged to contact the Chief Diversity Officer to request consultation and counseling regarding a crime or incident, to report a crime or incident, to file a Charge of Discrimination form, or to share concerns about issues regarding the University. Other offices students may wish to contact are: Student Affairs; the Center for Multicultural Affairs; University Police; the Counseling Center; Residence Life; and Judicial Affairs.
If a student wishes to file an informal or formal complaint with the Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, they must do so within 90 calendar days following the alleged discriminatory act or 90 calendar days after a final grade is received, for the semester during which the discriminatory acts occurred, if that date is later. If a complainant elects to have the matter dealt with in an informal manner, the Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator will attempt to reasonably resolve the problem to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. If a formal complaint is filed by the student, the Chief Diversity Officer/ Title IX Coordinator refers the complaint to a three-person panel (comprised of Faculty, Staff, and/or Students), which reviews all relevant information. The Chairperson of the panel submits a summary of its findings and the panel’s recommendation(s) for further action to the President. The President then issues a written statement indicating what action they propose to take. Although neither informal nor formal complaints may be made anonymously, Fredonia ensures the privacy of all parties involved.
A student who participates in dispute resolution has the right to do so without fear of retaliation. Retaliation against a student or a witness who has filed a discrimination complaint will result in appropriate sanctions or other disciplinary action as covered by applicable University policies.
If you are a victim of, or witness to, a hate/bias crime on campus, report it to University Police by calling 673-3333 in an emergency, using a Blue Light or other campus emergency telephones, or stopping by the University Police Office located on the 2nd floor in Gregory Hall. University Police will investigate and follow the appropriate adjudication procedures.
Victims of bias crime or bias incidents are urged to contact the following offices for assistance:
University Police (716) 673-3333
Office of Student Affairs/Judicial Affairs (716) 673-3271
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Affirmative Action (716) 673-3358
Counseling Center (716) 673-3424
Center for Multicultural Affairs (716) 673-3398
For general information on Fredonia security procedures, see the University Police website at http://www.fredonia.edu/UPD/upd.htm or call (716) 673-3333 or email University.Police@fredonia.edu.
More information about bias-related and bias crimes, including up-to-date statistics on bias crimes, is available from the Chief of University Police at (716) 673-3333 or the University Police website at http://www.fredonia.edu/UPD/upd.htm.