Wake Forest Creates New Way For Students To Report Bias

Wake Forest University recently implemented a system to report bias incidents on campus. The online program is part of an effort to deal with critique from some students about their treatment from campus police and alleged discrimination claims.  

It was in September 2013 when several incidents happened that prompted Wake Forest to address the issue. A sign in front of the LGBTQ Center was vandalized, followed later by a student who was called a homophobic slur while walking on campus. University officials say they also heard concerns that campus police were spotlighting students of color.

Janae Shaheed, a sophomore on campus, says she has seen some things that have bothered her, including an ethnic-themed party on campus where students dressed up and impersonated minorities. She says the new system is a step in the right direction. 

“Not everybody sees actions like this as racist and that is stereotypical, so the problem is having these discussions and raising awareness to these issues. People [should] know what they are doing is actually wrong and it is not OK,” says Shaheed.

"What I have heard from African American students in some of my classes is that they have a lot of frustration in them, " says Ria Mandan, a junior at WFU. "I think the new system is a good way to let it out because I think the racial issues have been suppressed and there needs to be an outlet. I think this is a great way to let the administration on campus know what is really going on.”

Other students say the reporting tool is a good option for someone who doesn't feel comfortable talking about an issue face to face. But they raise concerns about the possibility of frivolous complaints that could make their way into the system.

“I think it is a good idea for students to have an outlet if they feel like they aren't comfortable talking or don't feel safe about something that happened on campus," says sophomore  says Liz Bragaugh. "But I also think there is a risk that people will be able to abuse it. I don't want to think people will lie, but it's always a possibility,”

Duke, Georgetown and Northwestern University all have similar programs to report bias. Wake Forest began this semester with its new system, which allows students, faculty and staff to report any bias-related incidents that they have witnessed or experienced. The online report asks for contact information, but a person can file a complaint anonymously. There is also a place to add photos, video or any other pieces of evidence to support a claim.

Penny Rue, the Vice President of Campus Life, says the new system will help them address bias reports more quickly. “We know that students live in an online environment and the best way to reach them is through web enabled possibilities," she says. “A lot of bias incidents are cowardly and anonymous and therefore very difficult to address. But if we can surround the individual with a caring touch, it allows for healing and it allows us to move forward.”

Rue says it's one part of their plan to address the issue. She says there will also to be a community dialogue on racial and other forms of bias that will be open to the public in the coming month.

Follow Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news