Bias-Motivated Incident Student Protocol and Guidelines

“Bias-Motivated Incidents” are acts, which do not violate the State Penal Code, but originate in bias against someone’s actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity and expression, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, veteran status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other protected classification. 

“Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)” ensures the coordination of University-wide communication and response protocols for incidents where bias may be a motivating factor for prohibited conduct. BIRT does not preempt nor replace existing procedures and BIRT does not conduct its own investigations.  

“Complainant” means any person or organization who submits a report or complaint alleging that a University policy has been violated.

“Hate Crimes” are acts of physical force, threats or intimidation that are willfully or knowingly committed because of the victim's actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. Hate crimes are expressed in several ways, sometimes physical violence and sometimes violence against property. (California Penal Code, §§422.55 and 422.6).

“Privacy” means, in general, the information related to a report made under this protocol will be shared only with a limited number of individuals who “need to know” in order to assist in the active review, investigation and determination of responsibility or restoration concerning the report. While not bound by confidentiality, these individuals are trained to be discreet and respect the privacy of all individuals involved in the process.

“Respondent” means the Student, group of Students or Registered Student Organization alleged to have committed a violation of University policies.

As a resource coordinator, BIRT ensures that the University supports Students impacted by Bias-Motivated Incidents. Students who experience or witness any form of Bias-Motivated Incident or Hate Crime are encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible in order to maximize the University’s ability to promptly and efficiently respond. Even in situations where the reported actor(s) is not a member of the University community at the time of the report, the University will seek to provide appropriate institutional support to the Complainant, identifying any information relevant to pattern or climate and assisting the Complainant in identifying external reporting options.

Reports may be made to DPS:

To report a bias incident within the LMU community, please use this online portal

Please note that faculty and staff should also file their initial report with DPS, which will refer to HR after intake and any needed immediate responses.