Frequently Asked Questions

A hate crime is defined under New York State law (Title Y: Section 485.05 – Hate Crimes) as follows:

A person commits a hate crime when they commit a specified offense and either:

a) intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct, or

b) intentionally commits the act or acts constituting the offense in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.

Note: All hate crimes are bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are hate crimes.

Painting racial slurs on the side of a campus building, assaulting another person because of their perceived national origin, or throwing a rock through someone’s window while yelling derogatory comments about their religion are hypothetical examples of a hate crime.

Skidmore defines a bias incident as an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation involving a member of the Skidmore community that a reasonable person would conclude is directed at a member or group within the Skidmore community based on race, color, ethnicity, nationality, economic background, age, physical and mental health or ability, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, or religious practice. A bias incident can occur whether the act is intentional or unintentional. Speech or expression that is consistent with the principles of academic freedom does not constitute a bias incident.

Depending on the totality of the circumstances, writing a racial epithet in erasable marker on someone’s dry-erase board, making fun of another person because of their language or accent, or making insulting comments about someone’s traditional manner of dress or geographic origin are hypothetical examples of a bias-related incident.

The Bias Response Group does not handle sexual harassment claims. Please direct questions or reports to the Associate Director of Equal Emploment Opportunity and Workforce Diversity. Follow this link to view the Anti-Harassment Policy.

We do not currently have statistics regarding the frequency of bias-related incidents on campus since the College has not had a comprehensive mechanism for reporting bias-related incidents that do not constitute crimes. Our new reporting process is intended to encourage more complete reporting, and will allow us to better track the frequency of such incidents in the future.

Any member of the Skidmore College community – or any group of persons within the community – who observes or is the target of a bias incident or hate crime is strongly encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible to Campus Safety (518-580-5566). Campus Safety will document what happened, including where and when the incident occurred, the names of the victims, and names of witnesses, if any. Whenever possible, the individual(s) who observe the incident should not touch or disturb any physical evidence related to the incident. You may also complete the Bias Incident Report Form.

Any person or group may also opt to contact any of the following individuals or offices:

• any Residential Life staff member; Residential Life Ann Marie Przywara, Director 518.580.5765 (ext. 5765)  

• Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students Adrian Bautista 518.580.5760 (ext. 5760)            

• Campus Safety Tim Munro, Director 518.580.5566 (ext. 5566) Campus Safety is available 24/7.            

• Student Diversity Programs Chris Barnes, Director            

• Counseling Center Andy Demaree, Director 518.580.5550 (ext. 5550)            

• Health Services Abigail Caldwell, Director of Clinical Services 518.580.5555 (ext. 5555)                   

• Human Resources Assistant Director of EEO and Workforce Diversity 518.580.5819             

• Campus Life Mariel L. Martin, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Campus Life and Engagement 518.580.8212 (ext. 8212)  

• Student Conduct Soha Jafarzade, Assistant Director 518.580.5782
   
• Student Academic Services Jamin Totino, Director Subhan Ali, International Student and Scholar Advisor 518.580.8150 (ext. 8150)

• an Academic Department Chair or academic advisor.

These individuals will work closely with the person or groups affected in determining where to direct the complaint and how the College might respond effectively to the incident.

The members of the Bias Response Group are charged with two distinct but related responsibilities. First, they constitute the College’s first-response team in dealing with reported bias incidents. Second, working with other appropriate individuals, offices, and organizations, they will play an educational role in helping to foster a climate of openness and inclusion on the Skidmore campus, a climate that is intolerant of harassment or discrimination directed against any member of the Skidmore community. Given the College’s broad educational mission, it is important that the Bias Response Team involve representatives from both academic and co-curricular programs, members of the faculty and staff, and students in its ongoing, proactive efforts to sustain of the desired campus climate.

• Two students, one of whom will be the SGA VP of Inclusion & Outreach;
• Assistant Director of Human Resources for EEO and Workforce Diversity;
• Director of Student Diversity Programs;
• Director of Intercultural Studies or other academic leadership;
• One faculty member appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Faculty Executive Committee;
• One additional Student Affairs representative (at the level of Associate Dean or higher).

There are several opportunities to help stop hate and bias on our campus. Please go to the Office of Student Diversity Programs website for a list of clubs and organizations dedicated to social justice and education and to view upcoming diversity events and programs on campus.