Policy and Procedures on Bias and Hate Crimes

Bias crimes, also known as hate crimes, are unwelcome and unlawful activities motivated by the bias or prejudice of a perpetrator toward another person(s) based upon personal characteristics that may be actual or perceived. Fisk University policy and federal law prohibit crimes motivated by bias on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual preference or sexual orientation, religious or political belief, practice, or persuasion.

When the University receives a complaint related to a bias or hate crime, the Dean of Student Engagement will designate a University judicial officer to investigate the matter, which can include witness interviews, and the collection of evidence or information pertinent to the report. The Dean of Student Engagement will also inform the Office of Public Safety and the appropriate incident report will be filed with that office. Under certain circumstances, the Office of Public Safety may refer the matter to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

If a member of the Fisk University community is a victim of or witnesses a bias or hate crime, he/she should contact the Fisk University Office of Public Safety or the Office of Student Engagement. The Office of Public Safety can be reached by telephone at (615) 329-8777 and is located on the lower level of Carnegie Hall, or by using an Emergency Telephone on campus, or by email at mwest@fisk.edu.

The Office of Student Engagement can be reached by telephone at (615) 329-8597 and is located on the lower level of Spence Hall. To contact the Office of Student Engagement by email, please contact studentengagement@fisk.edu.

Any student or member of the University community who may have knowledge of any activities related to crimes of bias or hate may report the matter to the Office of Public Safety or the Office of Student Engagement.