Bias Education and Resource Team - Diversity and Inclusion

What is the Scope and Charge of the Bias Education and Resource Team (BERT)?

The fundamental role of the BERT is to address the impact of incidents of bias and related community concerns on Tufts University campuses by:

Recommending educational programming and resources for the community in collaboration with staff in the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, Office of Equal Opportunity, Division of Student Diversity Inclusion, University Chaplaincy, and Divisions of Student Affairs.
Developing community dialogue and/or healing space for impacted community members after bias incident occurs.

What is an Incident of Bias?

At Tufts, an incident of bias is defined as a violation of University policy and/or federal or state law that is motivated by bias against an individual or group's membership in a protected category: race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression (including a transgender identity), veteran status, genetics, retaliation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. The role of the BERT is to address the impact of incidents of bias and related community concerns on Tufts’ campuses. This work is separate and distinct from processes at the University for reporting, investigating, adjudicating, and/or sanctioning incidents, including violations of Tufts’ Non-Discrimination Policy and/or hate crimes. (See “Does the BERT Investigate Incidents or Issue Sanctions?”.) In light of its particular scope and charge, the BERT works to address the impact of both proven violations of University policy and/or federal or state law, as well as perceived or potential violations, which may also impact the Tufts community.

How Does the BERT Respond to an Incident of Bias?

Members of the BERT will convene as soon as possible after a report of an incident of bias is provided to them by senior administration, TUPD, or the Office of Equal Opportunity, to whom all reports of bias, discrimination, and/or hate are referred for investigative and/or tracking purposes, in collaboration with other offices. The BERT may also convene when information about a possible incident of bias is brought to the attention of the University through other avenues. The members will: ● Review information about the incident. The nature of the information shared with the BERT will be determined at the discretion of OEO in collaboration with other relevant offices, taking into account the privacy, safety, and well-being of the reporter and others impacted, and their wishes for action by the University, among other considerations. ● The BERT will develop and recommend educational programming and resources for the community in collaboration with other offices; and, if determined appropriate, develop dialogue or healing spaces.

Does the BERT Investigate Incidents or Issue Sanctions?

The work of the BERT in addressing the impact of incidents of bias is separate and distinct from processes at the University for reporting, investigating, adjudicating, and/or sanctioning incidents, including violations of Tufts’ Non-Discrimination Policy and/or hate crimes. These processes remain under the purview, as appropriate, of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Tufts University Police Department, and/or the appropriate Dean and/or Student Affairs office at each school (AS&E and/or Fletcher School). The BERT focuses on community understanding, education, support, and engagement. For information about the number and type of cases reported to the University, please see the Reporting Statistics on OEO’s website.

Who are the Members of the Medford/SMFA BERT?

Associate Provost/Chief Diversity Officer, Rob Mack (Chair)

Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion Education, Maren Greathouse

University Chaplain, Elyse Nelson Winger

Associate Director of OEO, Jennifer Magrone

Medford Student Affairs, Camille Lizarríbar

Fletcher Student Affairs, Katie Mulroy

SMFA Student Affairs, Laura DaRos

Medford Campus Assistant/Associate Deans for Diversity and Inclusion: Barbara Brizuela; Chris Swan; Nandi Bynoe; Brianda Hernandez; Jackie DeJean; Adrian Thomas; Karen Panetta

Who are the Members of the Boston and Grafton Health Sciences Campuses BERT?

Associate Provost/Chief Diversity Officer, Joyce Sackey (Chair)

Senior Vice President of University Relations and General Counsel, Mary Jeka

Chief of Staff, President’s Office, Marty Ray

University Chaplain, Elyse Nelson Winger

Executive Director, Public Relations, Patrick Collins

OEO Representative: Jennifer Magrone

Assistant/Associate Deans for the Health Sciences Schools:

Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion Education - Adriana Black

Cummings School of Veterinary School - Dr. Florina Tseng

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Matt Hast

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - Dr. Dan Volchok

School of Dental Medicine - Dr. Jeanette Holloway

School of Medicine - Dr. Damian Archer

Student Representatives:

Cummings School of Veterinary School - Cora Evans

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Julia Ryan

School of Dental Medicine - Richard Peterson

School of Medicine - Elizabeth De Jesus