The Virginia Informer

College eliminates online bias reporting system

Andrew Blasi | Editor at Large

Last Updated:3/3/10 Section: News

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The College administration has removed the Bias Incident Reporting System from the diversity section of William and Mary's website in its entirety. Citing alternative and more practical means of addressing student claims of discrimination and harassment on campus, university officials have confirmed they will no longer be utilizing the once controversial program.

Launched several years ago, the original Bias Incident Reporting System allowed members of the William and Mary community to anonymously report incidents of bias to the university. After coming under heavy criticism from students, alumni, professors, national blogs, and student rights organizations the system was extensively modified at the end of 2007 to no longer allow anonymous reporting. Since then, the online system remained operational with very limited student participation.

Students still retain the full right to report incidents of harassment and discrimination to the College's Office of Equal Opportunity and Dean of Students. The College was named a full "Green Light" institution by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education last year for its renewed commitment to full student free speech rights and modification of the Bias Incident Reporting System. William and Mary is one of eleven universities in the United States to achieve this "Green Light" distinction and is widely considered one of the most free-speech friendly institutions in the country.

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