Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
St. Vincent de Paul calls us to walk alongside the people we serve, supporting our community with care and compassion. Part of that work is developing the processes to do so. This commitment is also critical to cultivating environments where we all can thrive. Furthering this commitment at DePaul, we are pleased to announce the Human Dignity & Bias Response Team.
What is HDBRT?
A centralized university resource, we created HDBRT to receive bias reports, coordinate responses, and connect individuals with appropriate support. The team’s work affirms the dignity of every community member and strengthens a culture of respect and belonging aligned with our Vincentian values.
What is bias?
Bias is when someone is treated unfairly or judged because of who they are or what they believe. A bias report submitted by a DePaul community member describes an incident they believe was influenced by bias or discrimination.
Who we are and how we work
As the Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, I will chair the HDBRT with coordinators from the Office of Institutional Diversity & Equity. We will work in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office, Office of Gender Equity, and Human Resources.
HDBRT provides community care and support, using restorative practices to assist individuals and communities affected by bias and discrimination. The team collaborates on care when investigations of potential policy violations occur in the Dean of Students Office, Office of Gender Equity and Human Resources.
This structure ensures that reports are addressed with care, accountability and education across the university, while also providing consistent and transparent follow-up for those who come forward.
How to report & what HDBRT does
Any student, faculty, or staff member may submit a bias report at any time. The HDBRT website provides more details about what happens after a report is submitted and how we collaborate with partners across the university to provide support.
Rather than serving as an investigative or disciplinary body, HDBRT provides a coordinated pathway to connect individuals to appropriate offices and resources, ensuring that every concern is taken seriously. In this way, the team serves as a first point of contact for bias-related incidents and helps guide community members to the proper support.
Our ongoing commitment
As we continue to listen and learn with students, faculty and staff, HDBRT will refine its practices to ensure responses remain consistent, compassionate and transparent. We will also offer educational opportunities to help our community better understand bias, dignity and care. This work is part of DePaul’s holistic commitment to equity, inclusion and creating thriving environments for all.
Thank you for helping us foster a community where every person’s dignity is respected and honored.
In community,
Dania Matos
she/her/ella
Vice President, Institutional Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
Chair, Human Dignity & Bias Response Team