University procedures for handling reports of bias and discrimination:

1. A Bias Report is Made

1.1 DIRECT Core Team (Chief Diversity Officer, Dean of Students, Director Risk Management and Legal Affairs, AVP Human Resources, AVP Auxiliary and Business Services, and Chief of Police) receives the bias report from EthicsPoint or other form of reporting, such as to an individual staff or faculty member, or to a member of the DIRECT Core Team.

1.2 A Core Team Meets and refers received report to relevant office (Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Regis College Police Department) as soon as is practical and within 48 hours.

1.3 Core Team gathers within one week following receipt of the report to discuss incident and necessary response(s).

2. Primary Investigation

2.1 The relevant Regis offices will conduct the primary investigation into the report and follow up will be made with the alleged offender(s) as follows:

  • 2.1.1 Incidents involving students will be handled by Student Affairs through the Chief Conduct Officer.
  • 2.1.2 Incidents involving staff and faculty members will be handled by Human Resources.
  • 2.1.3 Incidents involving both students and employees will be handled jointly by Human Resources and Student Affairs.
  • 2.1.4 Incidents involving alleged criminal behavior or a hate crime will be handled by the Regis College Police Department and a report may not be immediately available until the investigation is complete.

2.2 Where possible, the investigating offices noted above will notify the DIRECT Core Team of the progress of the investigation and when it has been closed.

2.3 Where possible, the DIRECT Core Team will examine the climate issues related to the report to determine the response required (see Section 3). This investigation will not include a direct investigation of the report itself and must not interfere with the primary investigation conducted by the appropriate offices.

3. Climate Response

3.1 Parallel to the DIRECT Core Team’s investigation into the climate issues involved in a report, the DIRECT Core Team will meet and may initiate a climate response with input and advice from relevant community members as needed and based on the scope and request of those involved.

3.2 Forms of climate response may include:

  • 3.2.1 A mandatory hall or floor meeting in residence hall where incident occurred.
  • 3.2.2 A mandatory meeting of the department or specific area of the university impacted by the incident.
  • 3.2.3 A mediated conversation using victim-offender mediation model between alleged perpetrator and targeted person if parties are willing and agree.
  • 3.2.4 A community-wide facilitated dialogue.

3.3 The DIRECT Core Team will debrief the climate response with the Inclusive Excellence Council to review practices, compare to common and best practices, and make improvements to the climate response protocols as necessary.