Hate Crimes
A hate crime is a criminal offense committed against a person, which is motivated in whole or in part by the alleged perpetrator’s bias against a race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Hate crimes may include threatened, attempted, or actual crimes; and may include assault and battery, vandalism, or other destruction of property, or verbal threats of physical harm. Harassment or intimidation may also be hate crimes when used to deprive or interfere with a person's exercise of their civil rights.
The criminal offenses that constitute Hate crimes when motivated by discrimination/bias are homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In addition, any incidents of larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and destruction/damage/vandalism of property.
The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, including any hate crimes, on an annual basis and share the data with the University community. To access the most recent data see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report page.
More information on how to report a hate crime is available on the How to Report a Hate Crime page.
Suffolk University seeks to foster a campus environment that supports its educational mission. The University is committed to providing a safe learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program or activity, the University has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment on the basis of protected class status, and for allegations of retaliation. The University values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the Community members alleged to have violated University policies are subject to discipline and may face discipline/sanctions up to and including suspension or dismissal/termination from the University. The University prohibits retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment, assist another in reporting a complainant or otherwise participate in an investigation. Accordingly, such behavior is treated seriously and will result in sanctions and/or disciplinary action.
The University strongly encourages any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, criminal activity, and/or retaliation to report and seek prompt assistance. Resources, on and off campus, are available and may be reviewed in the Nondiscrimination Policy.
The University complies with Title II, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans Disability Act; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”); Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”); Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”) and all other applicable state and federal laws.