Our Office | Bias Response Team

The Bias Response Team (BRT)

Where to Report Bias

The Incident Reporting Form is available to report any concern about discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and bias based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin committed by or against any MIT community member.

In addition to using the online reporting form, community members are encouraged to seek assistance from a trusted resource on campus, including advisors, department heads, someone in their living group, or other campus resources.

Report an Incident

The Bias Response Process

The Bias Response Team (BRT) is a working group of subject matter experts who strategize how to address reported incidents of bias and discrimination impacting the MIT community. Together with other campus stakeholders, the BRT provides recommendations on education and outreach as appropriate.

When a bias or discrimination-related incident is reported to the Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office (IDHR), IDHR offers to meet with the reporting party to provide supportive services and resolution options. IDHR informs the BRT of all discrimination-related incidents that come to its office and, when needed, seeks the input of the group. The BRT may identify intervention actions for the affected individual and/or community, and outreach as appropriate with the MIT community about the incident.

The BRT is meant to supplement, not supplant, the responsibilities of other groups at MIT devoted to addressing bias and discrimination experienced by students and employees. There may be circumstances where the BRT may recommend referral of an individual to another group, office, or resource for support and assistance. In particular, allegations of bias or discrimination alleged to have been committed by MIT employees may be referred to MIT Human Resources, and the BRT will work closely with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) and the Committee on Discipline (COD) to address any student violations of MIT policies. In addition, complaints alleging bias or discrimination in connection with academic decisions will generally be addressed in the relevant academic department.

Bias Response Team Membership

  • Chair, Case Manager, Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office
  • Director, Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office
  • Institute Community and Equity Officer
  • Director of Engagement for Diversity and Inclusion, Institute Community and Equity Office
  • Associate Dean for Student Conduct & Community Standards
  • Captain, MIT Police
  • Senior Associate Dean of Diversity and Community Involvement
  • Assistant Dean for Graduate Education
  • Associate Dean and Director, Office of Minority Education
  • Associate Dean, Intercultural Engagement
  • Restorative Resolutions Coordinator, Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office
  • Communications Coordinator, Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office
  • Manager, Labor Relations, Human Resources
  • Senior Director, Communications & Special Assistant to the Dean for Student Life
  • Chaplain to Institute and Director of Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life
  • Counsel, Office of the General Counsel

Other colleagues from across the Institute, including the assistant deans for diversity, equity, and inclusion, LBGTQ+ Services, Disability and Access Services, Student Support Services, Mental Health & Counseling, the Ombuds Office, and others will be consulted as needed for case-specific issues.