Do we have hate crimes or acts of intolerance here at WCU? 

Unfortunately, we do have some reported incidents each year. It’s also likely that a few more were not reported. While we don’t have many, we are determined to eliminate every one that we can. To do that, we need the help of every person on this campus, including students, faculty, and staff.

What do I do if I think a hate crime has been committed?

• Do not confront the person you think committed the crime.

• Call Public Safety.

• Do not disturb a crime scene or remove/destroy evidence such as graffiti. Public Safety officers may have a chance of finding whoever committed the crime only if they can gather evidence.

• Tell someone you trust – a professor, a staff member, a resident assistant.  Anyone who works for the University can find out how to reach the Campus Climate Intervention Team (CCIT), if he or she doesn’t know.

• Notify University personnel who can assist you:

Public Safety	610-436-3311
Counseling Center	610-436-2301
Residence Life and Housing Services	610-436-3307
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Services	610-436-3351
Office of Multicultural Affairs	610-436-3273
Office of Social Equity	610-436-2433
Office for the Vice President of Student Affairs	610-436-3301
Office of the Executive Deputy to the President	610-436-3111
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities	610-436-2564

How will the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services Respond to an incident in on-campus housing? 

1. Contact the University’s Department of Public Safety by calling ext. 3311 immediately. While contacting Public Safety to report the incident, you should also go to the front desk and ask to speak with the hall director or the resident director on call to inform him/her of the situation. In speaking with the desk assistant, you must specify to him/her that an act of intolerance or intimidation has occurred and provide him/her the details of the situation. You should also contact your resident assistant (RA).

2. The RA will then inform his/her supervisor that an act of intolerance or intimidation has occurred. If you were unsuccessful in reaching your hall director, have the front desk assistant contact the resident director on call.

3. If a resident-student has had an act of intolerance or intimidation perpetrated against him/her on a message board or other property in the residence hall, the information MUST remain intact. Do not remove or erase it so that the proper authorities can secure the evidence.

4. After your initial telephone call to the Department of Public Safety, officers will be dispatched to the scene to gather evidence and begin an investigation.  The officers may ask you to provide the message board or object for evidence purposes. When this item is no longer needed, the officers will tell you when
   you may erase or remove the contents.

5. The hall director will meet with you to learn the specifics of the incident and gain a better understanding of your personal feelings, reactions, and wishes. Per your request, University staff will be contacted to provide additional assistance such as the Counseling Center and/or other relevant University personnel.

6. After gathering all pertinent information from you, the hall director and RA will report to the central office administration of the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services a detailed summary, as well as the CCIT.

7. After the University police have concluded their investigation, the Residence Life and Housing Services staff will contact the Facilities Division to make
   repairs, paint, or remove unwanted graffiti.

8. While being sensitive to the impact on the student, the Residence Life and Housing Services staff will implement the appropriate follow-up activities in response to the act of intolerance or intimidation and maintain its commitment to restoring the civility of the community affected. These activities may include, but are not limited to, a floor or hall meeting, educational programming, letter from the hall director to the floor/hall addressing the situation, or similar communication.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact your hall director,or you may call the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services at 610-436-3307.

What is done to help the victim of a hate crime or act of intolerance?

The University provides support, including counseling, if necessary, and help in coping with any problems that result. Members of the CCIT can also eliminate the red tape that often frustrates victims.

Do you have any suggestions? The CCIT would love to hear them. Please contact the Office of the Executive Deputy to the President at ext. 3111 or the Office of Social Equity at ext. 2433.

What happens if someone is found guilty of committing a hate crime?  

Alleged perpetrators involved in the act of intolerance or intimidation will be adjudicated according to the University’s Student Code of Conduct and will be subject to disciplinary action. A student found guilty of committing a hate crime could receive a penalty ranging from a disciplinary reprimand to suspension and expulsion from West Chester University.  Moreover, Pennsylvania has an Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act which states that if any crime is motivated by hate toward the race, color, religion, or national origin of an individual or group, a charge can be added to that of the original crime. This means the person found guilty of a hate crime can also face criminal penalties that can include fines or even possibly jail.

What can I do to help prevent these kinds of things from happening?  

Join or support groups such as Latin American Student Organization (LASO), the Black Student Union (BSU), or Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Alliance (LGBTA), whose members work to educate, dispel myths, and sensitize the University community to the value of our differences. Take part in Civility Day activities on campus. You can help to create a better community for all of us.

What is the CCIT?

The Campus Climate Intervention Team was established in the fall of 1991 to foster an institution-wide climate that is free from acts of intolerance and to establish protocol for responding to and monitoring acts of intolerance should they occur.

What does the team do?

Prevention – recommend initiatives that support a positive University climate.
Anticipation – identify issues and indicators that may give rise to intolerance.
Response – immediate implementation of specific procedures to ease tension and assist those subjected to intolerance.
Management – recommended steps to be taken after each incident to restore and maintain an amicable environment.

Who is on the CCIT Team?

• Student
• Vice President for Student Affairs
• Academic Dean
• Social Equity Director
• Multicultural Affairs Director
• Public Relations Director
• Public Safety Director
• Faculty member
• Staff member
• Executive Deputy to the President

Intolerance and Hate Crimes
Campus Climate Intervention Team
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

WCU EXPECT EXCELLENCE

Published by West Chester University
Office of Social Equity
Revised Summer 2005