Hate-bias incident response protocol

(Revision date: July 2026)

Frederick Community College (FCC) is committed to fostering engagement and belonging to all members of our community. We welcome differences and value the diversity of our campus and the broader Frederick community. We believe inclusion is essential to excellence. As a result, we work to prevent and address hate and bias while increasing awareness of their impact. This commitment is supported by institutional, state, and federal policies that guide our practices, including FCC’s Non-Discrimination Policy; Title VI and Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended; Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and applicable provisions of Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. 

As outlined in FCC’s Non-Discrimination Policy, the College strictly prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Consistent with FCC policies, employees and students found to be in violation may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.

This protocol outlines how faculty, staff, students, and community members can report hate-bias incidents and describes the College’s response process.


What is a Hate-Bias Incident?

As defined by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (2018), “a hate-bias incident is a hostile act of conduct, speech, or expression motivated, in whole or in part, by intolerance, bias, or prejudice against another.  Unlike a hate crime, the hostile act is not a criminal act; like a hate crime, the hostile act is motivated by prejudice.”  The incident may or may not target a specific individual, may be a one-time incident or part of an ongoing pattern, and may or may not violate other FCC Policies & Procedures, such as the Code of Student Conduct, the Employee Misconduct Policy, or Code of Conduct for Visitors, Guests, and Volunteers. The expression of viewpoints or disagreement on political or social issues, when protected under the First Amendment and not resulting in a material disruption to College operations or a violation of policy, does not, by itself, constitute a hate-bias incident under this protocol.


To report a Hate-Bias Incident

Reporting hate-bias incidents is an important step in supporting a respectful and inclusive community. To report a hate-bias incident or concern, you may:

  1. If it is an emergency, please call or text 911 and then call FCC's College Security at 301.846.2453, or at x4444 on any campus phone.

    1. Main Campus: Call 301.846.2453 or by dialing extension 2453 or 4444 on any campus phone.

    2. Text Message: The office can receive text messages at this number 301.606.7716.

    3. Monroe Center: Call 240.629.7900, or dial extension 7900 on any campus phone.

    4. On the main campus, the Public Safety office is located in the Student Center, H-116, at the base of the stairs near the Cougar Cafe.

  2. If this is not an emergency, but you or others have safety concerns, contact College Security at [email protected] or at 301.846.2453, or on campus at x4444.

  3. If there is not an immediate safety concern, you can contact Engagementand Belonging (EB) at [email protected] or call 301.624.2834, or on campus at x2834.

  4. If there is not an immediate safety concern and student(s) are involved, faculty and staff may use the Student Behavioral Incident Report Form.

  5. If you are unsure how or where to report an incident or have concerns about reporting and want to discuss how to report anonymously, you can contact Engagement and Belonging at [email protected] or call 301.624.2834, or on campus at x2834.

Once an incident is reported, you will receive an acknowledgement of the report within 72 hours  from one of the contacts above or their designees. This communication will include information about next steps and available resources.

FCC prohibits retaliation against individuals who report concerns or participate in the review of an incident (see FCC’s  Non-Discrimination Policy or Title IX and Sex Discrimination policies for more information). The College recognizes the importance of confidentiality. All reasonable efforts will be made to protect the privacy of those involved and the information shared, consistent with applicable laws and College policies.


The College's Response to Hate Bias Incidents

Upon notification and awareness of allegations of hate-bias, the College will take immediate safety and security measures and appropriate action to assess, and/or investigate what occurred. In addition to FCC’s response, College Security will also inform the Frederick Police Department if a hate crime, as defined in Title 10, Subtitle 3 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, is suspected and/or alleged. The College will take prompt and effective steps to address allegations of hate-bias, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects including the following:

  • Acknowledgment of receipt of the report typically within 72 hours of when the report is made.
  • Refer individuals to resources for support and guidance, if needed.
  • Inform and consult with relevant College administrators regarding any necessary and appropriate action.
  • Offer and/or refer services to targeted individual(s), witness(es), bystander(s), and/or offender(s).
  • Coordinate community outreach and educational programming to address College climate issues and create awareness of the impact of bias on our community.
  • Notify the community of the bias incident as appropriate. This notice may be distributed via email, website, posters, and/or other means of communication. The notice may be made following a particular incident or as part of a periodic report to the College community. 

As of February 2019, the College will formally and confidentially track such incidents in our secure College tracking system to be aware of patterns, areas of concern, and areas for potential prevention measures.


Ways to Prevent Bias

The College actively strives to prevent bias incidents from occurring through policy, education, and training through Talent & Culture, Engagement and Belonging, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Services for Students with Disabilities, and the Center for Student Engagement. As a member of the FCC community, you play an important role in fostering appreciation for diversity and reinforcing that bias-related acts are not tolerated. Here are three ways you can help prevent and interrupt bias:

  1. Report incidents of bias. Bias is not always visible, but it can impact individuals’ sense of belonging and safety. Reporting concerns helps the College understand, address, and respond to issues, strengthening a more inclusive community. 

  2. Remember that language matters. Words shape how we think about ourselves and others and can impact feelings of safety, belonging, and respect. While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it is important to understand how language may affect others. Developing the ability to reflect on your own words and to thoughtfully respond to harmful or offensive speech is an essential skill to practice.
  3. Educate yourself and stay open to different perspectives. Building awareness is an ongoing process. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone by engaging in trainings, classes, programs, or events at FCC, and beyond that introduce new perspectives, build skills for navigating conversations, and explore topics that may feel unfamiliar.

We can help ensure FCC is a place where all individuals—regardless of background or identity—can thrive. Addressing bias is an important step in building and sustaining this community.

For more information including training, education, and resources, you cancontact Engagement and Belonging(EB) at [email protected].