Reporting Hate Crimes

Columbia University takes all allegations of hate or bias crimes seriously. Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a hate crime or may have witnessed a hate crime should contact Columbia University Public Safety and the Office of Institutional Equity immediately.  

Public Safety: 

  • Morningside Campus: 
    Emergency Line: 212-854-5555 
    Main Line: 212-854-2797 
     
  • Manhattanville Campus: 
    Emergency Line: 212-853-3333 
    Main Line: 212-853-3301   
     
  • Medical Center Campus: 
    Emergency Line: 212-305-7979 
    Main Line: 212-305-8100 

Office of Institutional Equity: 
212-854-5511 
[email protected] 
Reporting Form 

For more information about Columbia University’s policies on Hate or Bias Crimes, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity by calling 212-854-5511, emailing [email protected] or visiting their website. There you will find additional information on the Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students, Faculty and Staff, how the Office investigates reports, resources for victims of hate or bias crimes and other frequently asked questions. 

Public Safety Response 

When Public Safety receives a report of a hate crime, a department investigator will interview witnesses and collect evidence, if any. The department may also inform other university offices and departments, including the Office of Institutional Equity. Depending on the seriousness of the matter, the Department of Public Safety may refer the matter immediately to the NYPD or to the appropriate dean or supervisor for Dean’s Discipline or other actions. 

All crimes, including hate or bias crimes, reported to the Department of Public Safety that were alleged to have occurred in Columbia’s Clery-Reportable geography will be added to the Daily Crime Log within two business days. Additionally, if a hate or bias crime rises to the level of a Clery Crime, the incident will be included in the statistics published yearly in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If a Clery Crime is determined to represent a continuing danger to the community, a Clery Crime Alert may be sent out to the community as well.   

Additionally, bias-related conduct is prohibited by laws that include, but are not limited to, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988; and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws.  

The New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000 (New York State Penal Code § 485.05) states that a bias-related crime occurs when a person commits a specified criminal offense and:  

  • intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct;  

  • intentionally commits the criminal act or acts constituting the offense in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.  

Additionally, in keeping with Chapter 191 of the Laws of 2023 and the New York State Law (NYS EDN Article 129-A, section 6433), Columbia reports on Hate Crimes that have occurred on campus for the past three calendar years. To review that information, please visit our Crime and Fire Logs page.  

For more information on the Clery Act requirements regarding the identification and reporting of hate or bias crimes, please contact the Director of Clery Act Compliance by emailing [email protected].