University of Michigan-Flint

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a hate crime is a “crime of violence, property damage, or threat that is motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.”

Within the State of Michigan, a person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously threatens or physically contacts a person with intent to intimidate, harass or damage the property of that person because of his or her race, color, religion, gender or national origin.

The University of Michigan-Flint also recognizes additional categories of potential bias, such as sex, gender identity or expression and age.

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

Similar to hate crimes, bias incidents are non-criminal activities that harm another because of that person’s membership in a classification, such as race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion.

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 his or her 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.

Public Safety can be contacted by dialing 911 (emergency) or by dialing 810-762-3335.  We can also be contacted on any “blue light” on-campus phone.

If you believe you have experienced a hate crime, you may report it directly to the Department of Public Safety at (810) 762-3333.

To report a bias-related incident, click here.

 
The following units are available for consultation concerning hate crimes and bias-related incidents on the Flint campus.

Office of Housing and Residential Life
(810) 237-6571
375 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/housing/

Accessibility Services
(810) 762-3456
264 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/studentdevelopment/accessibility_services.htm

Campus Counselor-Student Development Center
(810) 762-3456
264 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/studentdevelopment/counseling_services.htm

Department of Public Safety
(810) 762-3335
102 Hubbard Building
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/safety/

Diversity Education Services (EDS)
(810) 762-3169
217 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/eoi/index.htm

Ellen Bommarito (LGBT) Center
(810) 766-6606
365 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/lgbt/

International Student Center (ISC)
(810) 762-0867
219 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/isc/

Office of the Ombuds
(810) 762-3434
237 UPAV
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/ssem/ombuds.htm

Office of Student Life
(810) 762-3431
361 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/studentlife/

Urban Health and Wellness Center
(810) 424-5269
1153 WSW
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/uhwc/index.htm

Women's Educational Center (WEC)
(810) 237-6648
359 UCEN
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/wec/

At the University of Michigan-Flint, we live, work and learn in a culture that defines itself in terms of intellectual exchange, appreciation of individual differences, and respect for each individual’s personal dignity. The University’s diverse blend of students, staff and faculty is a tremendous resource, and we all benefit from this mix of perspectives and experiences. For many students, college is the first opportunity to meet and interact with those from other races, cultures and backgrounds. It is through this rich learning environment that we teach future generations the importance of understanding and valuing every individual’s opinions and experiences.

While the University is committed to a respectful and inclusive learning and work environment, it can only fulfill that commitment through the actions of individual members of the University community. We are each responsible for treating every fellow member of our community with dignity and respect. If one member of our community engages in harassment or discrimination, the person subject to that behavior will not feel respected, genuinely valued or that s/he is an equal member of the University community. That person may stop contributing his/her unique perspective in the learning, research or work environment, or may lose his/her commitment to the community and leave. When one person engages in acts of bias, many of us suffer the effects.

The University is committed to act responsibly when it learns of incidents motivated by hate or bias. Such occurrences, if they constitute a criminal act such as assault or property damage, should be reported to the police and will be fully investigated. Other acts of intolerance may violate University policies or community standards. In those instances we will pursue a range of remedies that may include disciplinary action as well as community education and dialogue.

When you report a bias incident, University staff will help you determine the possible next steps, explain the relevant processes, and offer counseling and support or refer you to other offices that may provide support.

Individuals who experience acts of hate, harassment or discrimination should feel they have a safe space in which to report the behavior and receive support. The University is committed to provide such safe spaces and to support a comprehensive reporting mechanism for incidents of bias so that we may better understand our campus climate and work continuously to improve it. Follow this link for a list of resources and offices that exist to support students, staff and faculty.

Members of the University community are protected from unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age or religion. The University also complies with all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination.

Unlawful discrimination refers to specific conduct prohibited by law that unfairly treats people differently because of their characteristics or perceived characteristics that the law deems to be unrelated to merit. An example of unlawful discrimination would be to deny membership into a group because a person is Muslim.

Bias is a preconceived negative opinion or attitude about a group of people who possess common physical characteristic or cultural experiences. An example of a bias incident, would be writing racist or homophobic graffiti on the door of an office or classroom.

Unlawful discrimination often results from bias. Bias-related incidents, however, do not always result in unfair treatment that violates nondiscrimination laws.

It depends. The University takes seriously its responsibility to appropriately balance its core values of protecting individual freedoms (e.g., freedom of speech, artistic expression, freedom of association, academic freedom) and ensuring equal and fair treatment of all. These values may sometimes be in conflict. Various University offices are responsible for determining whether hateful speech violates the University’s non-discrimination and unlawful harassment policies. In so doing, the University is always mindful that academia is a unique place where the exchange of ideas, robust debate and artistic expression are critical to the University’s teaching and research missions.

Please contact Jessie Hurse, Office of Student Life, if you would like assistance in organizing an educational program for your campus unit or student organization.

We also encourage campus organizations that are planning programs and events related to creating a respectful and welcoming community to let us know about your event, so we may consider it for inclusion in this website. You can send information about upcoming events to jhurse@umflint.edu.