So, I have seen the NDSU Bias Report Form site at the following address:
https://www.ndsu.edu/biasreport/. "NDSU" is North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU's Safe Zone site (http://www.ndsu.edu/safezone/) links to this reporting page. Obviously, this site is for reporting "bias" regarding all sorts of situations and groups, not just with respect to homosexuals. Now, please allow me to say on the front end that this educational community should be proactively preventing immoral and/or illegal violence and harassment of any person within the managerial purview of the institution. That is something that we all should support.
However, there are a few items that should be on the table for discussion. The notion of reporting "bias" is sort of odd for a university. Maybe one value of postmodernism (with its horrid epistemology) is its reminder that bias is a constant element of human inquiry and human discourse. Of course, biases can be explored and recognized, and degrees of objectivity are possible. Why not designate the site for the reporting of "threats of violence and instances of violence"? Would not this be more in line with the scope of the law and the aims of a university? The present framework seems to leave the door open for a type of cornering of those who don't buy into the notion that homosexuality is morally normative. For instance, if a religious group hosted a speaker on campus who discussed the Biblical prohibitions on homosexual behavior, could the members of the religious group be reported for having a "bias" against homosexuals who reside on campus? What if a campus political group openly opposes the "marriage equality" movement? Are members of this group susceptible to reporting for having a "bias" against "marriage equality" for homosexuals?
In my view, the persons who are responsible for this reporting program ought to be encouraged (in a civil, respectful, and peaceful way) to make the adequate refinements and clarifications on the site. Members of the campus community in particular and the citizens of North Dakota in general should communicate this message. Those from outside the state are free to send their thoughts on the matter too, but an encouragement to make the needed changes will be most proper and most effective from those within the state.
The contact information toward the bottom of the site is useful. I would also suggest communication with Assistant Vice President for University Relations, Ms. Laura McDaniel, at (701) 231-8330 or at Laura.McDaniel@ndsu.edu (source: http://www.ndsu.edu/vpur/staff/). Please be civil, respectful, and peaceful in your communication on this matter.
I think that two revisions are in order. First, they ought to change the name of the page per my comments above (or something along those lines). Then, they ought to post a clarification that the freedom to civilly, respectfully, and peacefully speak out regarding politics, philosophy, religion, and/or morality will be respected by North Dakota State University. I will provide updates on this issue as available and as appropriate.
ND Grassroots
