
Bias refers to the presence of preconceived opinions, attitudes, or prejudices that lead to unfair treatment, discriminatory actions, or expressions of hostility against individuals or groups based on their actual or perceived characteristics. Examples of potential bias and how they may manifest are listed below.
Bias incidents can vary in severity, ranging from offensive comments or jokes to actions that cause significant harm to the targeted individuals or groups. It is the goal of Bias Support Services to address bias incidents promptly and fairly to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment at Emory.
Examples of Bias
Denying participation in activities or other opportunities to pregnant individuals or parents.
How Bias May Manifest
Microaggressions are subtle, everyday verbal or nonverbal actions that convey biased attitudes or sterotypes towards individuals based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristic. These can be unintentional but still have a harmful impact on the targeted person.
Example: Making comments like "You speak English so well for someone from your country" to an international student.
Assigning certain traits, behaviors, or abilities to individuals or groups based on their perceived identity, without considering their unique qualities or experiences.
Example: Assuming all female students are not interested in or capable of excelling in science or engineering fields.
Treating individuals or groups differently, unfairly, or unjustly due to race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected characteristic.
Example: Denying certain opportunities or resources to fellow students from a particular ethnic background.
Failing to include or adequately represent individuals from diverse backgrounds in campus leadership, faculty positions, or in the curriculum.
Example: A lack of diverse authors and perspectives in course materials and reading lists.
Superficial inclusion of individuals from underrepresented groups without addressing broader issues of diversity and inclusion.
Example: Adding a single member from an underrepresented group to a committee without genuinely involving them in decision-making.
Engaging in persistent, unwelcome, and offensive beahvior towards someone base on their identity, creating a hostile or intimidation environment.
Example: Subjecting a student to derogatory slurs or comments related to their gender identity.
Providing different levels of support, opportunities, or resources based on an individual's identity, leading to disparities in educational or career outcomes.
Example: Offering fewer scholarships or financial aid opportunities to students from certain racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Subtle and often unconscious behaviors that communicate a lack of value or respect towards certain individuals or groups.
Example: Ignoring or interrupting students during discussions based on their gender.
The following departments and teams are available to offer resources and support to individuals who have encountered incidents of bias.
- Belonging and Community Justice
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- Department of Accessibility Services
- International Students and Scholar Services
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
- Office of Respect
- Office of Title IX
- Ombuds Office
- Respect for Open Expression
- Spiritual and Religious Life
- Student Case Management and Intervention Services
- Student Health Services
- Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative at Emory
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File a Report
If you have experienced or witnessed a bias incident you can receive support through BSS by filing a report via the link below.
Submit