Bias Education & Response
Our Mission
It is the mission of Coastline College's Bias Education & Response Team (BERT) to foster an environment that is safe, inclusive, and equitable by responding to incidents of bias on our campus. To promote understanding, dialogue, and respect among all members of our college community, our team is dedicated to fostering understanding, dialogue, and respect. Through our work, we strive to empower individuals affected by bias and to educate the broader campus community about the impact of bias and the importance of creating a culture of inclusion on campus. Throughout the process of proactive outreach and support, we seek to create a climate in which everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Types of Incidents
A Bias Incident refers to behavior, speech or expression that reveals conscious or unconscious bias, which targets individuals or groups based on but not limited to their race, color, ethnicity, nationality, economic background, age, physical or mental health or ability, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, or religious practice.
Speech or expression that is consistent with the principles of academic freedom does not constitute a bias incident.
Bias may be directed toward an individual or group. Bias may contribute to creating an unsafe, unwelcoming environment.
A Hate Crime is any criminal act or attempted criminal act directed against a person or persons based on the victim's actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender.
Bias impact is harm caused by bias, prejudice, hate, and/ or bigotry. Bias impact can include but is not limited to:
- Interference with ability to work, learn, and maintain healthy relationships.
- Marginalization from the community and barriers to participation.
- Rendering groups more vulnerable, powerless, and feeling unwelcome.
- Increased distrust and the erosion of a healthy sense of community.
Some bias incidents may also be considered a hate crime, but not in every circumstance. But, if it is determined that a hate crime occurred, then the incident will also always be considered a bias incident.
Reporting Incidents and Follow Up
Coastline College encourages all employees, students, and volunteers, acting in good faith, to report suspected or actual wrongful conduct. We are committed to protecting individuals from interference with making a good faith report and from retaliation for having made a good faith report or for having refused to engage or participate in wrongful conduct.
You are welcome and encouraged to report an incident that you think has already been reported. We value each personal perspective about bias-related incidents. These perspectives will help us respond appropriately to a bias-related incident.
Incident Management
- Incident Report Submitted - Confirmation email sent.
- Incident Report Reviewed by BERT - Report forwarded via email to appropriate department.
- If impacted party is a student: Student Services
- If impacted party is staff/faculty: Human Resources
- If incident includes a hate crime: Campus Safety Director or local police
- All other incidents stay with BERT
- Reporting Party Contacted (if not anonymous / requested to not be contacted) - Completion of an Intake / Assessment. Care and support provided which may include the following:
- 1-1 follow up meeting
- Restorative justice
- Conflict resolution with alleged party
- Engage leaders to address systemic issues
- Summarized Climate Reports - Annual reporting to DEISAA Committee and Presidents Cabinet.
- Reports received
- Campuses reported
- Motivations reported
- Response data
- Impact
- Trends
Resources
Employee Assistant Program (EAP) Information
The Coast Community College District (CCCD) provides access to confidential professional counseling for all active employees and family members through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is a resource to help you deal with personal matters affecting your life. It provides confidential counseling through professionals outside the Company to assist in resolving problems.
Help is provided through Anthem Blue Cross, by experienced professionals as well as licensed psychotherapists. They will help assess the problem and refer you to the appropriate resource.
Bias Education & Response Team (BERT)
The purpose of this team is to provide education around what constitutes bias, its effects, and strategies for addressing and resolving bias incidents. The very development of this team is a means of educating the college and its members about bias, its effects, and the importance of addressing, responding to, and resolving bias. We aim to achieve this purpose through the development of our website, training and other educational materials, and through our response to any reports submitted by college members about bias.
Natalie Schonfeld, Ph.D.
- Dean of Counseling
- nschonfeld@coastline.edu
- (714) 241-6142
Leighia Fleming, Ed.D. (she/her)
- Interim Dean of Students
- lfleming5@coastline.edu
- (714) 241-6130
Justine Warren
- Director, Human Resources
- jwarren54@cccd.edu
- (714) 241-6146
Carlos Amescua (he/him)
- Director, Student Leadership, Engagement and Global Citizenship
- jamescua@cccd.edu
- (714) 241-6134
Oceana Callum
- Professor of English, DEISAA Committee Representative
- ocallum@coastline.edu
Report a Bias Incident
Coastline College encourages all employees, students, and volunteers, acting in good faith, to report suspected or actual wrongful conduct. We are committed to protecting individuals from interference with making a good faith report and from retaliation for having made a good faith report or for having refused to engage or participate in wrongful conduct.
You are welcome and encouraged to report an incident that you think has already been reported. We value each personal perspective about bias-related incidents. These perspectives will help the Bias Education Response Team (BERT) respond appropriately.