Bias Education & Support Team (BEST)

The Bias Education and Support Team serves as a collaborative and proactive committee providing appropriate educational and reflective responses to incidents of bias at Sacred Heart University.

We define bias as an act or behavior motivated by the offender’s bias against the facets of another’s identity. Bias occurs whether the act is intentional or unintentional. Bias may be directed toward an individual or group and may contribute to creating an unsafe/unwelcoming environment. The Bias Education and Support Team seeks to be a counter balance against bias; works toward providing restoration, healing and support for everyone in our SHU community; and determine the best bias education programs for students and employees.

Our Commitment

Sacred Heart University is committed to being a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all students, faculty, and staff. Fostering this climate includes taking constructive action if one witnesses or knows about behavior perceived to be bias or inconsistent with the Sacred Heart University mission which may include violation of university policies. A bias incident is an act or behavior motivated by the offender’s bias against the facets of another’s identity. Bias occurs whether the act is intentional or unintentional. Bias may be directed toward an individual or group. Bias may contribute to creating an unsafe/ unwelcoming environment.

The University takes seriously its responsibility to appropriately balance its core values of protecting individual freedoms (e.g. freedom of speech, artistic expression, freedom of association, academic freedom) and ensuring equal and fair treatment of all. These values many sometimes be in conflict. There are many considerations when determining whether bias related conduct violates the University’s expectations of members of our community. BEST serves as a collaborative and proactive committee providing appropriate educational and reflective response, to incidents of bias at Sacred Heart University. We work to remediate harmful influences in order to encourage a campus of inclusivity that welcomes the perspectives, voices and gifts of all community members.

BEST Policy

The Process 

The Bias Education and Support Team will review and investigate all reports of bias and consider the appropriate response to all incidents within 10 days of receipt of the report. Suggestions for redress will be considered to the fullest extent of the committee’s authority, including referral to the appropriate University authority for disciplinary proceedings. In the case of judicial action affecting a student, all proceedings will be referred to the campus judicial board as per the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. Reports pertaining to misconduct by University faculty or staff shall be forwarded to and handled by human resources in accordance with University policies. The process of responding to and investigating reports of bias will be swift.

The most important value BEST brings to our community is Incident Management.  An incident management process involves – to the extent possible – those who have a stake in a specific offense to collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations, in order to heal. The ability to make things as right as possible is to be effective in the process of building inclusion. There are multiple solutions, means of communicating and we can normalize these, be thoughtful and take these incidents one step at a time.

Reporting an Incident

Individuals who report an incident of bias and identify themselves may be contacted for more detail. Anonymous reports also may be submitted. You can submit reports online or to the diversity officer at diversityandinclusion@sacredheart.edu 

Bias Incident Reporting Form

Bias Education and Support Team (BEST) Members

  • Rachel Bowman, professor of psychology, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Rebekah Bryd – associate professor, Teacher Education, Isabelle Farrington College of Educatio
  • George (Jay) J. Hicks assistant professor of practice, St. Vincent College Radiography
  • Robert Johnson, director of Multicultural Affairs
  • Julie Lawrence, chief diversity officer, Office for Diversity & Inclusion, chair
  • Khawaja A. Mamun, program director, MS in Business Analytics and associate professor, Economics
  • Amanda Moras, associate dean for Student Success in the College of Arts & Sciences and associate professor of sociology
  • Arlete Perez Paez, office and program manager for volunteer programs & service learning
  • Patricia W. Walker, professor of health science and leadership, College of Health Professions
  • Shery Watson, associate dean of academic affairs, Davis & Henley College of Nursing and assistant professor