UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — New efforts are in the works for Bias Response at Penn State as the latest in a series of changes to make the reporting and response process more seamless, transparent, and efficient for students, faculty, and staff across Penn State’s campuses.   

These efforts will be rolled out this fall and will include a new professional development program for those who handle bias reports and an employee recognition program for those who contribute to a positive and inclusive campus environment.  

“Penn State strives to create an environment in which all members of our community feel supported and have a sense of belonging,” said SeriaShia Chatters, interim vice provost for Educational Equity. “In tandem with encouraging all students, faculty and staff to report acts of bias that they witness or experience, we also are continuing to evolve and adapt our bias response processes to reflect their feedback and needs. Among these changes, we are striving to enhance responsiveness and communication, and to better prepare individuals across Penn State with the tools they need to effectively participate in this process and to support those involved.”  

These efforts align with ongoing work of President Neeli Bendapudi’s agile service teams, which are focused on fostering greater equity for all students, faculty and staff.   

Professional development on bias 

New bias-focused training will soon be available to all individuals who handle bias reports, including academic and non-academic unit heads, administrators, faculty and staff across Penn State’s campuses. The training will educate participants about their roles and responsibilities in the report referral and response process to make sure that individuals handling bias incident reports have the tools and knowledge to address referred reports effectively. Topics covered include trauma-informed practices, facilitating difficult conversations, relevant University policies and more.  

Offered through the Provost Endorsement Program, this professional development opportunity, “Building Inclusive Campus Environments: Leadership for Bias Response,” is intended to prepare individuals to support students, faculty and staff involved in the bias reporting process, including impacted individuals, alleged wrongdoers, and others. Faculty members who complete the program will earn a certification through the Provost Endorsement Program.  

>> TO REGISTER: The program will take place in-person on September 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at University Park. Faculty and unit leaders can now register for the program through the Learning Resource Network (at https://tinyurl.com/building-inclusive-campus). Future offerings will be available at other Penn State campuses.  

Along with collaborating on this training, Chatters; Suzanne Adair, associate vice president for Equal Opportunity and Access; and Tabitha Oman, vice president and general counsel, are exploring additional bias training opportunities to add in the future.  

Campus Climate Champions Awards 

Launching this fall, an inaugural recognition program, developed in collaboration with Educational Equity and Human Resources Talent Management, will award employees who actively contribute to inclusive campus environments. A nomination, evaluation and selection process will identify two award recipients annually. Modeled after a similar successful program at Penn State Health and College of Medicine, the awards will serve as an opportunity to honor faculty and staff members who help promote a campus culture characterized by collaboration, empathy and positive change. More information will be provided later this semester.  

How to report bias at Penn State  

• Student-involved incident: Any Penn Stater can use the Bias Response website — which serves all colleges, campuses and units — to report an act of bias they experience or witness involving a student.   

• Employee-only incident: Bias incidents that involve employees only can be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access or through reporting.psu.edu.   

• Emergency: If you experience an emergency, need to report a crime, or need immediate assistance, contact emergency services by calling 911 or Penn State Police at your campus.  

Reports involving students are referred to the Bias Response Network, an intake and referral team comprised of representatives from the Office of Educational Equity, Student Affairs, Human Resources, Faculty Affairs, Equal Opportunity and Access, Student Accountability and Conflict Response, Residence Life, Undergraduate Education, J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, and the Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response. 

Collectively, members of the Bias Response Network receive all reports submitted through the Bias Response website, meet weekly to review submitted reports and determine referrals, and then refer reports as appropriate to various offices for management, review, and resolution. 

To learn more about bias-motivated incidents at Penn State, visit the Bias Response website.