IMSA’s Bias Incident Practice
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) values a diverse community where all members are able to participate fully in the IMSA experience. IMSA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive academic, social and work environment in which all members of the community are treated with respect and dignity and research, learning and scholarship can flourish. Our policies and practices reflect IMSA’s expectation that all interactions among persons will be free of bias, prejudice, discrimination and harassment. Defined in the Student/Parent Handbook, incidents of bias and hate affecting a person or group create a hostile climate and negatively impact the quality of the IMSA experience for community members. IMSA takes such incidents seriously and will investigate and respond to reported or observed incidents of bias while under the jurisdiction of the Academy. At IMSA, a hate or “bias-related” incident is an act that demonstrates prejudice against the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, ability, political affiliation, veteran’s status and/or other aspects of a person’s identity.
IMSA Bias Incident Reporting Form
You can submit this Bias Incident report either anonymously or confidentially. Please understand that reports of bias incidents are taken very seriously, but our ability to respond to an incident will be limited if it is reported anonymously. Also, keep in mind that IMSA will endeavor to maintain confidentiality of reporters, consistent with our policy and the law, but the details of a Bias Incident Report may need to be revealed (including the identity of the reporter) in certain circumstances. After submitting a Bias Incident report, IMSA will evaluate the report, investigate the claim and work collaboratively to develop and implement a response. All bias related-incidents will be investigated by the Chief Human Resources/ Equity Officer, Chief Student Affairs Officer, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and/or the Associate Director of Student Affairs. If you have observed or experienced a bias incident, please use the form below.
