Bias Reporting in CSE

A bias incident is language or an action that demonstrates bias against an individual or group of people based on actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, age, or veteran status. 

Examples of bias incidents can include, but are not limited to, vandalism to personal or University property, defacement of posters, verbal slurs, and physical assault.

A bias incident may contribute to creating an unsafe environment or have a negative psychological, emotional, or physical impact on an individual, group, or community.  A bias incident may occur whether or not there is an intent to cause a negative impact, and whether or not the incident constitutes a crime or violation of Washington law or Western policy.

To report Title IX Misconduct Complaints, please contact Western's Title IX Coordinator.

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time throughout the year, including during non-business hours. See the Reporting Guidelines to learn more.

Follow this link for more information on Title IX and what qualifies as a Title IX incident.

Many CSE departments have bias forms (see list below).  You may choose to identify yourself or remain anonymous. If you do you not see a survey for your department, if the incident or concern spans departments, or if you are unsure which departmental survey to use, please use the CSE survey. The CSE Bias Report Form can be found here. If your concerns relate University-wide change, please use Western's Bias Report.

The CSE Bias Report Form is confidential, but there are limits (based on university policy) to our ability to promise confidentiality. Your name will not be attached to reports if further action within the department or college is deemed necessary, unless required by policy or with your permission. The bias response team responsible for reviewing the forms includes the STEM Outreach & Inclusion Specialist, the CSE Dean’s office staff, and the community ambassadors.

You may submit a Bias Report Form anonymously, however there are limitations to our ability to respond or take action on the issue being reported when we don't know the identity of the reporter. Anonymous submissions will be used to inform the bias report team of broad culture concerns within the department and college but often cannot be used to resolve individual concerns.

If you'd like to speak to someone directly, you can:

1. Contact your department's community ambassador* or
2. Contact the STEM Outreach & Inclusion Specialist.

*Please note the ambassador's role is not to act as mediators, but to provide guidance on resources and options for further steps.

Biology 

Equity and Inclusion Issues in Biology | Biology Department | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Chemistry 

Equity and Inclusion Feedback Form | Chemistry Department | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Computer Science 

Reporting Equity and Inclusion Issues in CS | Department of Computer Science | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Engineering 

Report Equity and Inclusion Issues in ENGD | Engineering & Design | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Geology

Report Equity and Inclusion Issues in Geology | Geology | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Western Washington University  

Report a Bias Incident | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) 

Western provides reporting options for bias incidents. You can find the link to report bias on the top of every webpage. You can also find reporting resources here.