Bias Crime Prevention Policy

The following policy is sanctionable under the Code of Community Standards.

Bias Crimes, also called hate crimes, are criminal acts involving violence, intimidation, and destruction of property based upon bias and prejudice. Victims of hate crimes are intentionally selected, in whole or in part, because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status. Crimes motivated by invidious hatred toward particular groups not only harm individual victims but send a powerful message of intolerance and discrimination to all members of the group to which the victim belongs. New York State Penal Code, specifically the "Hate Crimes Act of 2000," subjects hate crimes to prosecution and severe punishment.

Bias incidents involve behavior that is motivated by bias based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status. These incidents do not involve criminal conduct such as assault, threats or property damage. However, bias incidents, such as racial slurs, may escalate from mere words to threats and ultimately to violence. Bias incidents may not violate the law, but may violate University policy prohibiting harassment and discrimination (see Harassment as defined in the Student Conduct Code). A Hofstra student who is found to have committed a bias-related crime is subject to disciplinary action that can include probation, suspension or expulsion. Any student charged with a bias-related felony is summarily suspended from Hofstra University pending the adjudication of those charges.

Educational Programs

Educational programs to promote the prevention of bias-related crime are conducted for first-year students during New Student Orientation and in the residence halls throughout the academic year. These programs are open to the entire Hofstra community. Other programs on bias-related crime are offered throughout the year. For additional information, please contact the Dean of Students Office, (516) 463-6913. If you believe you have been a victim of a bias-related crime, contact Public Safety and/or the Dean of Students Office. They will provide you with the following information:

• Counseling services that are available, both on and off campus.
• Medical services that are available, both on and off campus.
• Options that are available regarding reporting the case to the proper authorities, both on campus and local police.
• Assistance will be provided in notifying these authorities if such assistance is requested.

For additional information, please refer to the Public Safety section of the Guide to Pride or call (516) 463-6606.