Launching CMU’s Campus Climate and Bias Reporting Protocol (CCBRP)
Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community:
CMU is committed to fostering an environment where our community can grow, learn and ultimately thrive together. To that end, we are pleased to announce the Campus Climate and Bias Reporting Protocol (CCBRP), a non-disciplinary educational body intended to direct members of the CMU community to information that will provide guidance, clarity and a mechanism for reporting and informally resolving an alleged bias incident.
The university deeply values the freedoms of speech, thought, expression and assembly as core elements of our educational mission. The CCBRP does not supersede or overrule any university policy and/or procedures related to freedom of expression, academic freedom, unlawful discrimination, harassment or compliance with other federal, state and local laws. Additionally, the CCBRP is not a disciplinary process and will not be used to determine responsibility or discipline for an alleged incident or alleged violation of policy.
When the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer was established, the community expressed a desire for a coordinated process and mechanism that was educational, restorative and efficient in addressing incidents of bias. This feedback was instrumental in informing the CCBRP.
About the CCBRP Program and Process
The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX (IEX) will oversee and administer the CCBRP, which provides a comprehensive, collaborative and consistent way to address bias incidents. The process will be supported by a CCBRP team, a group of skilled and trained professionals from across the university who will help review and address incidents reported through this process. The CCBRP team is not an investigatory, disciplinary or adjudicating body and has no authority to initiate or conduct investigations.
The goal of the CCBRP is to help our community members effectively navigate alleged bias situations, educate the parties involved, restore community, and contribute to a more inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for everyone. The CCBRP will help us to holistically address bias incidents on a case-by-case basis, as well as to give the parties involved an opportunity to learn, grow, repair harm and reach a resolution. Additionally, the process will inform educational programs and strategies to enhance inclusive and belonging practices at CMU.
How to Report an Incident of Alleged Bias
Any student, staff member, faculty member, third party or campus visitor may report a bias incident by visiting cmu.ethicspoint.com. If desired, the reporter can submit the report anonymously. Once the report is received, a confirmation of receipt will be sent. Additional information on reporting bias is available on the CCBRP website.
Next Steps
The CCBRP is operational and ready to use immediately. Any temporary or interim processes to report bias incidents within colleges or units should be discontinued, and this vetted, centralized and coordinated approach should be utilized. Over the course of the academic year, we will continue to raise awareness and formally educate our community on the CCBRP. During this initial year, we will monitor and assess its implementation so we can refine it and ensure success and sustainability.
Please visit the CCBRP website for more information.
On behalf of the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, thank you for your support as we advance this important initiative. Please email us at institutionalequity@andrew.
Sincerely,
Wanda Heading-Grant
Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Elizabeth Rosemeyer
Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator