Harassment, Bias, and Hate Incidents - Resources and Reporting Options
How to report and get help or support
William & Mary does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other irrelevant personal factor. Bias incidents are a form of harassment, addressed by the university's Discrimination Policy.
If you experience or witness harassment, we encourage you to report it. (If you are a faculty or staff member, you may be obligated to report - please visit the mandatory reporting website to learn more.)
What is Harassment?
Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on race, sex, or any other irrelevant personal factor. Often, harassment takes the form of words and actions that create a hostile or offensive environment. Bias incidents usually are harassing conduct. Sometimes "bias incident" is used to refer to actions where the perpetrator is unknown, such as graffiti.
When harassment creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment, it violates W&M policy. We encourage people to report unwelcome conduct (harassment), even if the conduct is not severe or pervasive enough to have created a hostile environment. Reporting this conduct may allow the university to stop harassing conduct before it creates a hostile environment and also helps us identify trends and areas of concern.
How To Report
- Sex-based discrimination including sexual misconduct should be reported using the online Title IX form.
- For other types of discrimination and harassment involving students, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 757-221-2510 or use the Report Concerns or Violations website.
- Reports may also be made in person to the Compliance & Equity Office or by email to reportconcern@wm.edu.
- Hate crimes, acts of violence or other criminal conduct should be reported to the police. In emergencies dial 911. On campus contact William & Mary Police at 757-221-4596.
- Graffiti, posters, or other anonymous bias actions may be reported to the William & Mary Police at 757-221-4596 or, if they relate to students, to the Dean of Students Office through the Report Concerns or Violations website.
Other Campus Resources and Support
- The Counseling Center is available to students, including on a walk-in basis. Off-hours support is available through 221-3620. The Center suggests tips on managing election-related stress.
- The Reves Center helps international students, and is arranging for informational sessions for students with immigration questions.
- The Diversity & Inclusion Office spearheads W&M's affirmative action and diversity plans, and can help with faculty and staff concerns.
- Residence Life staff (both student and professional staff members, especially RAs, Head Residents, Hall Directors and Area Directors).
- The Dean of Students Office supports students in many ways, including advocating for student needs and addressing wellness concerns (such as those raised through CARE reports). Anyone can submit a report of concern about a student through the Report Concerns or Violations website.
- The Haven provides confidential support for students with concerns of sexual assault or other gender-based discrimination/misconduct.
- The Center for Student Diversity is available to help students from diverse backgrounds through support and advocacy.
- Community Values and Restorative Practices helps maintain the university's community values and behavioral expectations.
- Student Accessibility Services works with students with disabilities to break down barriers to accessibility and provide accommodations.
- Compliance & Equity (Title IX) Office responds to reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, working closely with Dean of Students on student cases, and also provides guidance to the campus community.
- For other campus and external resources and services, please visit the Equity Resources website.
This site last updated October 2017
