Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) and Campus Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) 

In October 2014, the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) was formed on behalf of the Vice-President for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students (DOS). The team, consisting of representatives from various departments, was established to assist the campus community in responding to major acts of bias. BIRT transitioned to become an entity co-chaired by the OUDI office and the DOS to develop a reporting process and support individuals who report and/or witness acts of bias in the campus community. BIRT works to evaluate incidents for policy violations and provide resources and appropriate resolutions. When further action is required, BIRT refers alleged incidents to appropriate campus entities for review and follow-up in accordance with California State University Executive Orders 1096 and 1097. 

Click Here to learn more about BIRT or submit a report!  

The Campus Climate Advisory Committee 

The Campus Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) is a committee of high touch professionals that aims to enhance the efforts of BIRT and improve campus climate at Cal Poly. The council's impact lies in its ability to provide ongoing evaluation of campus climate conditions and develop recommendations for expanded engagement and education. Additionally, the CCAC will provide critical insight towards the necessary efforts required to inform the campus of the impact of hate/bias and empower the Cal Poly community to promote a culture of civility and respect. To achieve this goal the council: 

• Reviews resources and data, including bias incident reports, student survey data, campus climate survey data, and national trends to provide ongoing evaluation of campus climate conditions and develop recommendations for expanded engagement and education. 

• Provides expert knowledge based on professional perspectives and lived experience. 

• Works with campus partners to enhance programming, education, and training around campus climate and the impacts of bias incident trends. 

• Informs administration and recommends best practices in terms of policy and action based on trends and findings. 

• Communicates and partners with BIRT to address broader campus climate issues.  

Campus Climate Definition

Campus Climate is a measure of the real or perceived quality of interpersonal, academic, and professional interactions on a campus and consists of the current attitudes, behaviors, and standards of faculty, staff, administrators and students.  A common but simplistic way of thinking about campus climate is in binary terms: campus climate is either good (inclusive, productive) or bad (chilly, marginalizing). However, it may be more accurate to think of campus climate as a continuum that contributes to experiences that marginalize or foster belonging (Adapted from Ambrose et al., 2010). 

Membership 

The CCAC is a diverse group of administrators, faculty, and staff who are trained and have expertise in engaging conversations regarding campus climate and DEI issues. The CCAC meets two times a quarter to address campus climate concerns that may create harm to members of the Cal Poly community based on their identity (race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, ability status, age and their intersections). 

Beya Makekau she/her Chair Assistant Vice President for Strategic Planning & Networks, OUDI	Cat Placencia she/her/hers Co-Chair Director of Housing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion	Joy Pedersen she/her Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Jay Bettergarcia they/them Associate Professor, Psychology & Child Development	Dawn Janke she/her Executive Director, Writing and Learning	Diana Ortiz Giron she/her Director of Programming, Communication, & DEI Education, OUDI	Ryan Buyco he/him/his Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies

			Patricia Ponce she/her Student Ombuds
Lydia Heberling she/her Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies	Kari Mansager she/her Director of Wellbeing and Equity, Campus Health and Wellbeing	Sarah Macdonald she/her Assistant Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Instruction, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology CTLT