Perhaps the most shocking thing about hate crimes is that the capacity to commit them lies within all of us, as evidenced by the sheer number occurring on-campus each year. The constant presence of discrimination is evidence that being an intelligent and motivated student does not preclude hate.
While ending hatred in general may take an alteration of basic human nature, responding to it is a less Herculean task. The Georgetown administration, shaken by bias-related incidents on campus and in response to student protest, has announced the creation of a web site, which debuted last Friday, devoted to the reporting of discriminatory acts.
The web site, which can be accessed through the Student Affairs web site, provides information about bias-related incidents and hate crimes and has a link to a form which can be completed to report incidents.
According to Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson, once reports of bias are received, they are reviewed by “a small team of professionals in Affirmative Action Programs, Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety.”
Response to complaints will be case- specific.
“Students will always receive a timely response,” Olson said. “When appropriate, incidents will be referred to appropriate offices for follow-up.”
Perhaps the best function of the site is that it consolidates the various options for reporting bias and makes communication with the administration easier. Previously, the system for addressing discrimination was comprised of several Georgetown departments, including the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Student Affairs and Residence Life staff.
It is likely that this cumbersome and inefficient system discouraged students from reporting acts of discrimination.
Similarly, while the web site strives to simplify the process of reporting discrimination, it doesn’t quite achieve the goal. Students who want to report bias-related incidents must print out a form, complete it and then bring it (or fax it) to the Office of Student Affairs.
For what’s advertised as a simple process, this formality seems complicated. Students should be able to complete the form online, thus expediting the complaint process.
The creation of the web site is a victory for common sense. Although the process may not be perfect, it demonstrates the ability of students to enact University-wide change.
Now we just need to be convinced to stop hating each other altogether.
