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An offense to a person or property, intimidating
that person because of his or her race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender,
sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin.
A bias incident is not a crime. It is a situation
in which a person has been subjected to harassment due to dislike or hatred of a
certain group of people. Although not a crime, it is important to report bias incident
to the Campus Police Department.
"The central purpose of the college is
to foster the free access of knowledge, its unfettered discovery and communication
through research and education and the creation and sustenance of a community of
scholars and students. The college community can realize these goals only in an atmosphere
of trust and resepect. Discrimination and harrassment will not be tolerated in the
Smith Community."
- Smith
College Civil Rights Policy and Grievance Procedures
"Northampton is a city that values and
protects the cultural and social diversity that makes it an attractive, unique, and
vital community. Hate crimes affect us, our neighbors, and the quality of community
life. A hate crime is not simply an intolerant opinion, but is a criminal act based
on bigotry or prejudice."
Yes, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265,
s. 37 and 39; Chapter 266 s. 127A; and Chapter 272, s. 92A.
Smith College is committed to creating and
maintaining an educational, working and living environment that is free of any form
of unlawful discrimination.
Statement of the Board of Trustees Regarding
the Smith College Civil Rights Policy (Adopted by the Board of Trustees January
11, 1989)
The trustees believe that at significant moments in the life of the college, as well
as in our day-to-day living, we should as an institution reiterate for ourselves
the standards we deem important for Smith College. The value we place on individual
integrity and mutual respect sets a standard for personal conduct that requires each
member of this community to look beyond the mere seeking of knowledge toward a broader
commitment to human understanding and service.
In her last will and testament providing for the establishment
of Smith College, Sophia Smith wrote: “It is my wish that the institution be
so conducted that during all coming time it shall do the most good to the greatest
number. I would have it a perennial blessing to the country and the world.”
In reaffirming Smith College’s commitment to civil
rights, the Board of Trustees intends also to carry out Sophia Smith’s mandate
to do the most good to the greatest number. By enhancing the opportunities available
to all under the United States Constitution, through positive steps of our own, we
also seek, as she sought, to have the college a perennial blessing to the country
and the world.
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