A. Policy
Mitchell Hamline School of Law (the “Law School”) is committed to creating an environment that advances equal opportunity in which all faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and students can work and learn in a safe and discrimination-free atmosphere. The Law School does not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment for reasons of actual or perceived legally protected classes of individuals. The Law School strictly prohibits hate crimes and encourages victims of those actions to report those incidents. Such incidents will be investigated. Any person who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination/dismissal.
B. Definitions
Hate Crimes are criminal acts—or attempted criminal acts—against an individual or group of individuals because of their actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or veteran status or any other protected classes defined by law. The Minnesota Legislature has determined that, if certain crimes are perpetrated because the victim falls within a protected class, then the perpetrator will face heightened penalties. Hate crimes under state law include Crimes in three specific groupings: criminal damage to property, assault, and harassment/stalking. In addition, under federal law, the Law School is obligated to record and report instances of crimes of murder; sex offenses, forcible or nonforcible; robbery; aggravated assault; burglary; motor vehicle theft; manslaughter; arson; larceny-theft; simple assault; intimidation; and destruction, damage, or vandalism of property and any other crimes involving bodily injury to another person in which the crime was committed because of actual or perceived race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, or disability of the victim. A hate crime is both a violation of law and a violation of campus policy.
C. Reporting
Reporting hate crimes: If you believe that you are the victim of a hate crime or have been physically threatened, or if you believe you have witnessed a hate crime or have witnessed someone being physically threatened, whether on or off campus, call 9-1-1 or Campus Security. You may make this call anonymously. Campus Security is available by calling 651-290-6330.
Retain Evidence: If you feel that you are the victim of a hate crime, please remember to include as much detail as possible in your report. For example, make a record of where and when the incident occurred, document the identities or descriptions of people who you were with, document the names of any additional witnesses, and document any and all information about the perpetrators. Retain any physical evidence, including any photos of messages, text messages, or evidence of other communications.
The Law School prohibits retaliation against individuals who report hate crimes, who assist others in making such reports, or who participate in resulting investigations.
Acts of discrimination or retaliation can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from the Law School.
D. Questions
Please contact Christine Szaj, Vice President of Institutional Management and Title IX Coordinator at 651-695-7733; Lynn LeMoine, Dean of Students and Assistant Title IX Coordinator at 651-290-7668; Director of Human Resources at 651-290-6322; the Vice Dean of Administration; or the President and Dean.