CVPA is committed to cultivating a welcoming, inclusive learning environment free of harm for all community members.
Our community is one that values creativity, collaboration, and mutual respect. When individuals or group actions or behaviors conflict with our values, we must respond purposefully with support, resources, and avenues for accountability and restoration. The types of grievances experienced or witnessed inform what option is available to the person(s) addressing the grievance.
How to Report Bias and Discrimination
There are several pathways for reporting bias and discrimination at Mason.
- You may report discrimination to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion defines discrimination as, “any impermissible act or failure to act, based wholly or in part on membership in a protected class, which adversely affects existing privileges, benefits or working conditions and results in the disparate treatment of – or has a disparate impact on – members of the Mason community.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against based on your belonging to a protected category, please report to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Retaliation from reporting to the DEI office is prohibited under the policy. Learn more about the policy, timeline of procedure and more.
- You may report bias to the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment.The Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment defines a bias incident as, “an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, violence or criminal offense committed against any person, group or property that appears to be motivated by prejudice or bias. Such are usually associated with negative feelings and beliefs with respect to others race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age social class, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, club affiliation or organizational membership. Such bias incidents may be intentional or unintentional and affect the individual or Mason community.”
If you believe you have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, please report it to the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE) and learn more, including the timeline of procedure.
- You may report discrimination or bias incidents directly to the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Co-facilitated by the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE), the Bias Incident Response process is a timely, healing-centered and education-focused response to potential bias incidents, as well as a means to track trends and promote activities that may mitigate or prevent similar occurrences in the future. Individuals connected to bias response are comprised of a network of university employees able to provide support, resources, and education to individuals who have been subjected to or impacted by an act of bias.