Bias Crimes Prevention

Bias Crimes Prevention (see website for entire policy and procedures)

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’s 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 Enrollment & Student Services, 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: Enrollment & Student Services, the Intercultural Center, University Police, the Counseling Center, Residence Life, and Student Conduct.

If you are a victim of, or witness to, a hate/bias crime on campus, report it to University Police by calling (716) 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 Enrollment & Student Services (716) 673-3271

Office of Student Conduct (716) 673-3271

Intercultural Center (716) 673-3398

For general information on Fredonia security procedures, see the University Police Website at: https://students.fredonia.edu/upd or call (716) 673-3333. 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.