Mission Statement

The Community Bias Response Team (CBRT) is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental group who work to address the individual, group and institutional impacts of comments, behaviors, actions, or practices that are perceived as biased. CBRT coordinates a system through which members of the Middlebury community can report incidents of bias and offers a range of processes that can be used to address the harm caused by bias. CBRT supports impacted individuals and groups, provides education, and facilitates dialogue with the aim of repairing harm and preventing future incidents. It is not the purpose of CBRT to investigate, arbitrate, or to take the place of other Middlebury administrative processes; rather, the intention is to connect those who have witnessed or experienced an act of bias with appropriate support and resources. CBRT does not initiate disciplinary action or impose sanctions regarding bias incidents.

CBRT Members

• Butterfly Blaise Boire, Civil Rights and Title IX 
• Kristin Hocker, Education for Equity and Inclusion
• Brian Lind, Student Engagement and Belonging 
• Mark Orten, Religious and Spiritual Life
• Noreen Pecsok, Leadership Education and Restorative Practices
• Joe Russell, Center for Student Success 

Definition of Bias Incident

Middlebury defines a bias incident as a single act or multiple acts directed toward an individual or group on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, place of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, service in the armed forces of the United States, positive-HIV-related blood test results, disability, culture, socio-economic status, spirituality or any combination of these or other related factors, with the purpose or effect, from the point of view of a reasonable person, of negatively impacting another. Bias incidents include, but are not limited to: slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, vandalism, intimidation, symbols, and harassment; that are directed toward or affect the targeted individual or team.  Incidents of bias may contribute to a hostile campus environment and can occur even if the act itself is unintentional or delivered as a joke, prank, or having humorous intent.

This definition is meant neither to proscribe nor to inhibit discussions in or out of the classroom of complex, controversial, or sensitive matters such as those listed above. 

Note: This definition of a bias incident is intentionally broad to reflect our values to create and sustain an inclusive, safe, and productive community for all of our members.

Open Expression and Bias Impact

Open expressions of opinion on social or political topics (e.g., race, gender, gender identity) are allowed at Middlebury and therefore are not subject to disciplinary responses. However, we acknowledge that expressions of opinion can have harmful impacts on individuals and on the broader living and learning community, regardless of intention. In some instances, social or political actions, speech, policies, and practices undervalue personal rights, dehumanize individuals, and adversely impact an individual’s or a group’s sense of belonging. When this occurs, CBRT provides support for individuals and groups involved and facilitates conversations designed to promote greater awareness of impact and to allow for restoration following harm, even when it is unintentional. 

CBRT Process

Anonymous Reporting Option

The Bias Incident Report Form (go/bias) provides individuals with the option of reporting incidents anonymously. However, any report submitted anonymously prevents CBRT from following up to address impact. Thus, anonymous reports are used solely to compile data on the overall campus climate. If a response to a bias incident is requested, individuals should include their name and contact information on the Bias Incident Response Form.