Bias reports rose 31.9% and disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations fell 41.9% in the University of Connecticut’s 2023 Annual Security and Fire Report.
The report is required by all universities that receive federal funds, university spokesperson Stephanie Reitz wrote in UConn Today. All students received an email from University Communications on behalf of UConn Police Chief Gene Labonte regarding the report on Friday.
The report includes information from the UConn Police Department and other “campus security authorities,” comprised of over 1,200 people, including resident assistants and faculty advisors, according to Reitz.
Reported bias incidents increased in quantity from 124 in 2021-22 to 141 in 2022-23 to 186 in 2023-24. This is an increase of 31.9% over the past year and 50% over the past two years.
Reitz stated that there was a “noteworthy increase in reporting” following Oct. 7, 2023.
“UConn saw an increase in bias reports in the 2023 calendar year and very likely may see an increase in 2024, driven notably by tensions and strong emotions expressed related to Gaza, Israel, and the conflict in the Middle East,” said Reitz in an email.
Hate crimes decreased in the report from four in 2021, two in 2022 and down to one in 2023.
“Students or others also reported some of these incidents to UConn Police for review,” said Reitz. “While none met the legal definition of hate crimes, UConn Police proactively decided to include the bias reporting data in their Clery document to ensure that students and others know their voices are heard and services are available.”
Reported bias incidents are not required in the report, according to Reitz. The number of reported bias incidents consists of reports that bias occurred, not findings of bias.
“Many of the bias complaints involved actions or symbols that constitute free speech, but which upset others to a degree that they feel compelled to report them to the University for review,” said Reitz.
Disciplinary referrals for drug and alcohol abuse declined significantly in the report. There were no arrests in 2023 for drug abuse or liquor law violations. Disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations fell from 395 in 2021, to 377 in 2022 and down to 219 in 2023. This is a decrease of 41.9% over the past year. There were 48 referrals for drug abuse violations in 2021, 55 in 2022 and 24 in 2023.
Reitz did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on the decline in disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations.
There were eight reported rapes in 2023, the same number as in 2022, but half of 2021 numbers.
In addition to the Annual Security and Fire Report, UConn also released an annual report specifically on sexual violence policies and data.
The second report showed that there were 118 reported sexual assaults in 2023, but only 68 of the sexual assaults were reported to have occurred in 2023, and the respondent was identified as being connected to UConn in 42 of the cases.
There were 48 reports of stalking, with 28 respondents being connected to UConn, and 66 reported intimate partner violence incidents, with 15 respondents being connected to UConn.
“The sexual assault disclosure numbers also include reports of incidents from many years ago, including childhood abuse – all of which helps the university provide appropriate, compassionate and trauma-informed services to students and employees if and whenever they choose to share their experience with the University,” said Reitz in UConn Today.
This report includes the Student Experience Survey, and of the 30,777 students invited to take the survey, 773 students or 2.5% completed it. The survey showed that 42% of students knew where to get help if someone they know experiences sexual assault or intimate partner violence.
The report also includes information on support resources available to students and said the Women’s Center offers short-term crisis intervention, information regarding next steps following an incident and the support group In Power.
Of students who did not experience sexual or interpersonal violence, over two-thirds of students believed that if they did, UConn would take their case seriously, take steps to ensure their safety and protect their privacy, according to the survey.
The report also covered 510 awareness and prevention campaigns, according to Reitz in UConn Today.
“They include the “Protect Our Pack” bystander intervention training provided at new student orientation; UConn’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) Consent 201 courses; the widespread training provided to employees; and many others,” said Reitz in UConn Today.