University Department of Public Safety

A hate crime is a criminal violation that is motivated by someone's perceived or actual personal attributes.  These personal attributes are outlined within state law, with separate categories outlined under federal law. Examples of a hate crime can include:

• Assaulting or injuring someone because of their race, ethnicity or national origin
• Vandalizing someone’s property with graffiti based on their religion, disability, or age
• Threatening to physically harm someone, their family, or property based on their sexual orientation or gender identity

If you are unsure if you’ve experienced a hate crime, you should contact University Police at 801-585-2677.

A hate-motivated incident is a hostile, intimidating, or threatening act motivated by actual or perceived personal attribute or protected class.  These incidents are harmful to the individual and to the broader community, but may not always reach the legal threshold of a hate crime or violate the University's policies on non-discrimination and discriminatory harassment.

We encourage individuals to report all hate-motivated incidents and threats. What might seem like a minor or isolated event could escalate into ongoing harassment or violence. Even if an incident cannot be prosecuted as a hate crime under state law, reporting them may help prevent future acts of hate and violence on our campus.

The following campus partners should be notified when a hate-motivated crime/incident occurs:

• University of Utah Police – to report crimes and physical safety concerns, including potential hate crimes, threats, harassment, intimidation, hazing, interpersonal violence, stalking, vandalism, and any other criminal offense.  Reports can also be submitted anonymously here or you can email safeu@utah.edu.
• Office of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action – to report any act of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct
• Office of the Dean of Students – to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to students
• Office for Faculty or University of Utah Health's Office for Faculty - to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to faculty
• Human Resources – to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to staff

If you are unsure of where to report, you can submit a Public Incident Report and it will be referred directly to the appropriate office(s) listed above. These offices will review your report and may investigate to determine if university policies, state/federal laws, or behavioral misconduct rules have been violated.

Hate crimes not only harm the individual, but can also instill fear across entire communities.  Safety planning, counseling, and other support services are available from various entities on campus, including those listed below.

• Crime Victim Advocates - work with students, faculty, staff, and others who have experienced crimes on University of Utah's campus.  To speak to someone immediately, dial 801-585-2677 and ask to speak to the on-call Crime Victim Advocate. For less urgent matters, email them at: crimevictimsadvocates@utah.edu.
• Center for Campus Wellness – confidential and trauma-informed support services for students, faculty, and staff who have experienced interpersonal violence (i.e. domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and rape, sexual harassment, stalking, etc.).
• The Counseling Center – confidential individual therapy, crisis support, group therapy, medication services, and mindfulness programs for students.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential counseling service for personal concerns, such as stress, anxiety or depression, personal and emotional issues, marital, relationship and family counseling, grief or loss, substance abuse or other addictions.

Additional information can be found at SAFEU.

The University of Utah is committed to fostering robust and respectful dialogue in our community, while simultaneously protecting First Amendment rights. While this commitment protects controversial ideas, it does not protect threats of violence, harassment, or discrimination that violates University policy or state/federal laws.  More information about free speech and expression on campus can be found in the University’s Speech Policy.