Purpose of Bias Incident Report Team (BIRT)
While valuing freedom of thought, expression, and diverse viewpoints, USC Aiken recognizes that individuals of our campus community may be affected by instances of bias and hate and need assistance. The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) is a group of faculty, students, and staff who are committed to creating a proactive response for effected individuals. The BIRT functions to:
- Support individuals who are targeted by actions of hate or bias.
- Refer individuals to available campus resources and services.
- Educate the campus community about the impact of hate and bias.
- Record and track bias trends and campus climate.
- Promote initiatives and new ideas that further a welcoming, inclusive, and bias/hate-free campus at UofSC Aiken.
Note: The Bias Incident Response Team is not a judicial/disciplinary body, an investigative team, nor a crisis response team. BIRT serves to assist individuals affected by incidents of bias, and to track and record trends and campus climate.
Definition of Bias Incidents
Bias incidents are acts or behaviors performed knowingly, unconsciously, directly or implicitly that are motivated by the offender’s bias against race, ethnicity, religion, age, creed, language, abilities/disabilities, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic region, immigration status, veteran status, and health status. Students, staff, faculty, campus visitors, or university policies/procedures can perpetrate these acts.
While these acts do not necessarily rise to the level of a crime, a violation of state law, university policy, or the Student Code of Conduct, a bias act may contribute to creating an unsafe, negative, or unwelcome environment for the victim; anyone who shares the same social identity as the victim; and/or, community members of the University.
Additionally, bias incidents may also constitute violations of:
- the Student Handbook
- policies outlined in the University Housing Community Guide
- other University policies (e.g., discrimination or harassment)
- legal statutes (e.g., general and/or so-called "hate" crimes under local, state, and federal law)
As such, reported bias incidents may/will be subject to investigation and arbitration by other university offices and/or governmental entities (e.g., police, EEO, etc).
If there is a threat of harm or other immediate risk to personal safety or property, do not make a report. Call 911 or 803-648-4011 (University Police)
Reporting an Incident
If there is a threat of harm or other immediate risk to personal safety or property, do not make a report. Call 911 or 803-648-4011 (University Police)
If you encounter or suspect incidents of bias at USC Aiken, you are encouraged to file a report, which will be reviewed by USC Aiken’s Bias Incident Report Team. Reports can be made anonymously.
After a report is filed, the Bias Incident Report Team will review it and determine next steps. These steps may include:
- Providing/referencing support to the affected individual(s) or community.
- Forwarding the report to the appropriate office for investigation if necessary.
- Considering the need for additional educational programming.
BIRT Composition
The Bias Incident Report Team is comprised of a diverse team of representatives from the following campus entities:
- Undergraduate student body
- Faculty
- Office of Human Resources
- Office of Diversity Initiatives
- Counseling Center
- Student Conduct
- Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs (ex officio)
For questions, inquiries, or assistance, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..