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What Should I Do

The process outlined below is centered on students though others (faculty, staff, postdocs, and community members) can fill out the form.

Featured FAQs

  1. Someone threatened me.
    Report this to DPS and as an AOI.
  2. Someone said something racist to me.
    Report this as an AOI.
  3. Can I talk to someone confidentially before I fill out the form?
    Reach out to the Office of the Ombuds.
  4. Is the form anonymous?
    Yes, you have a choice to share personal info.
  5. Who can I make a report about?
    Any individual or group, in an incident on or off campus.
  6. What happens when I submit a report?
    A student affairs staff member will review it and respond.

Detailed FAQs

  1. This is a complicated answer but it depends on the nature and severity of the incident and this will vary from case to case. Some bias incidents, including hate crimes and unlawful discrimination or harassment are prohibited under law and/or University policy. While the University does not condone acts of intolerance, some speech is protected unless it rises to the level of unlawful conduct. Not all acts of intolerance are a crime or violate University policy, but they may contribute to creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the individuals and groups affected. You are encouraged to report all acts of intolerance, discrimination and harassment so that the University can take appropriate action to help improve the campus climate. The course of action taken by the AOI process is centered on healing and restoration. A matter involving conduct that rises to the level of a hate crime or unlawful discrimination or harassment may be referred to the Stanford University Department of Public Safety, Diversity and Access Office, or Title IX Office.

  2. Generally a hate crime is considered more severe. An act of intolerance is conduct that adversely and unfairly targets an individual or group on the basis of one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics: race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. A hate crime is a criminal act such as assault, rape, vandalism or intimidation, committed in whole or in part because of actual or perceived characteristics of the target or targets. A hate crime is a violation of both California law and Stanford's Fundamental Standard.

  3. If you feel comfortable or compelled you should report this. We will respond to Acts of Intolerance no matter the format occur in (online, in person, etc). If you would like to talk to a confidential resource before reporting, you can connect with the Office of the Ombuds. 

  4. On the submission form, you will have the option of submitting anonymously, if you would solely like for the act of intolerance to be documented for our records. Note that if you choose to report anonymously, the University’s ability to respond or address the concern may be limited. If you would like us to contact you, you can include personal information and we will. Any personal information you disclose will be kept confidential to the extent possible depending on the details of the incident’s consent. 

  5. If you feel comfortable or compelled you should report this. We will respond to Acts of Intolerance regardless of the role of the responding party. 

  6. Absolutely. We will respond to Acts of Intolerance regardless of whether it is known who may have perpetrated the incident.

  7. Yes, you can submit a report about anyone on or off-campus, though our response may very depending details of the incident. 

  8. The AOI protocol is not an investigatory or judicial process. There are two goals; the first of which is to serve as a mechanism for data collection and second being to ensure that the reporting party feels heard and can heal from a potentially painful situation. Should the matter involve conduct that rises to the level of a hate crime or unlawful discrimination or harassment, we will report it to appropriate offices for review and response. 

  9. It is helpful to submit information because it allows the University to collect data and we can potentially address concerns that arise that affect different communities in order to encourage healing and restoration. Data from submitted reports may inform future educational and prevention efforts. 

  10. A Student Affairs staff member will contact you and walk you through next steps. See this page about Reporting. 

  11. Once you fill out a report, a Student Affairs staff member will contact you within 48 hours. After that the timeline will depend on your response time, but the staff member will help manage the process so that responses are kept within a reasonable timeframe.  

  12. DPS will not automatically be notified when an AOI report is submitted, but a Student Affairs staff member may share information with DPS if appropriate (e.g., if the incident reported may constitute a hate crime). If you believe the conduct at issue constitutes a crime, you can also report the incident to them yourself. Here's how to contact DPS: https://police.stanford.edu/#contactsection

  13. AOI reports will not automatically be shared with OCS; but if the conduct at issue could constitute a violation of the Fundamental Standard, then it will be forwarded to that office.

  14. Someone from the division of Student Affairs may contact you to see if you will be willing to participate in a resolution process.

  15. The goal of this process is to find a way to ensure that students feel listened to and heard. So to the best extent possible, we will work with the informing party to respond to the report.

  16. The University provides support and resources to affected individuals, and will consult the appropriate University officials, groups or organizations to address concerns in a manner consistent with University policies while respecting Freedom of Expression. Through the AOI protocol the University may host meetings, offer awareness programs or training for the campus community, and support those who have been affected. These meetings are an opportunity to the impact of these incidents and to communicate expectations for community interactions while protecting freedom of expression. We will also collect information from reports to better understand campus climate.  

  17. There are many choices. Options may depend on whether the responding party wants to be involved in the process. Some possibilities include:
    • 1:1 conflict mediation
    • Peacemaking session
    • Restorative Justice session
    • Community healing initiative
    • Connecting affected parties to relevant resources
    • Educational workshops or seminars

  18. Be sure to indicate that you want to be contacted and include your personal information in the form.