Inclusive Culture and Belonging
At Bennington, learning happens best in a community where every person feels respected, supported, and fully able to participate.
The Office for Inclusive Culture and Belonging (OICB) is central to Bennington College's mission and commitment to creating a world that is more beautiful, sustainable, democratic, and just. Drawing on anti-racist and social justice frameworks, we collectively aspire to challenge and disrupt oppressive structures, policies, and practices, while cultivating mutual respect and acceptance of all identities.
Bennington College does not discriminate against or exclude anyone from its programs or activities on the basis of characteristics identified in its Non-Discrimination Statement. All programs and activities are open to all members of the College community, regardless of such characteristics.
What We Do
OICB works across campus to:
- Foster a sense of community and belongingness for all
- Support, promote, and strengthen inclusive teaching and learning
- Provide education, consultation, and advocacy around equity, access, and inclusion
- Help students, faculty, and staff identify appropriate resources and reporting options
- Encourage thoughtful dialogue across differences
The College affirms the intersecting identities of all its community members and recognizes their contributions to the vitality of our unique living and learning environment. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity, both as fields of inquiry and practice, is to prioritize flexible thought and to invite the examination of access, value, and power through its institutional policies and areas of study.
Our Team
Alfredo Medina, Jr.
Melissa Smith
Resources and Support Services for All
Bennington offers a range of resources for all students, staff, and faculty designed to increase engagement and inclusion, provide opportunities for community building, and connect individuals with the support they need to succeed. OICB works with departments and units across the College to collaboratively and collectively support inclusive practices, strengthen community connection, and support departments to think intentionally about access, belonging, and participation.
- Accommodations and Support: Bennington College provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with documented disabilities when such accommodations are requested and necessary to ensure equal access to College programs and facilities.
- International Student Services (ISS): ISS supports international students as they strive to achieve their educational, professional, and personal objectives.
- Tapestry: Tapestry is an Employee Resource Group (ERG)/Affinity Group that seeks to increase connection and belongingness within the college and bridges connections with Black, Indigenous, People of Color, faculty, and staff. Tapestry membership and access to events are open to all. For more information, contact Rage Hezekiah, Chair of Tapestry, at ragehezekiah@bennington.edu.
- Media, Initiatives, and Reading Sources:
Students seeking support may also find helpful resources through the Office of Student Life, the Student Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Title IX Office, and Campus Safety.
Understanding Bias Acts, Hate Crimes, and Reporting Options and Resources
Bennington College is committed to a campus environment where community members can report concerns, seek support, and understand their options.
What is a bias act?
A bias act is conduct that adversely and unfairly targets an individual or group based on the social identity categories of national origin, ethnicity, shared ancestry, race, age, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, color, creed, marital status, any combination of these characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The perpetrators may be known or unknown. The act may be verbal, written, or physical, and can occur on the Bennington College campus, within an area, or through a medium that affects the campus community.
Activities protected by the College’s freedom of expression policy will not constitute biased acts.
How do I report a bias incident?
We encourage any Bennington College community member who experiences and / or witnesses a bias act or hate crime to report the incident by using the Bias Incident Reporting Form. You may report bias acts anonymously. This reporting form is not a 911 or Emergency Service. Do not use this form to report immediate security threats.
Once an incident is reported, OICB will review the report, determine an appropriate course of action , and proceed accordingly. Some actions may require forwarding the information contained in the report to other appropriate campus units for additional action.
What is a hate crime?
Per Vermont Law, a hate crime is any crime committed in Vermont that is maliciously motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, service in the armed forces of the United States, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The perpetrator can be given additional penalties at sentencing.
How do I report a hate crime?
If you witness or feel that you are the target of a bias-related act, you may report the incident using the Bias/Hate Reporting Form.
This reporting form is not a 911 or Emergency Service. Do not use this form to report immediate security threats. If this is an emergency, please contact the Bennington Police Department and Bennington Campus Safety.
Title IX, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Resources
If you have been assaulted, seek help, safety, and security.
Call Campus Safety from an on-campus phone by dialing 767; or if you are off campus, dial 802-447-4250 or call 911.
If you are not experiencing immediate danger or threat and do not wish to speak to Campus Safety at this time, you may contact the Confidential Advocate at 802-440-4444 (talk or text).
Bennington is committed to providing a learning and working environment that affirms the dignity and inherent worth of every member of the College community. Members of the Bennington community, including students, faculty, or any other person employed by, contracted with, or invited to the College such as guests or visitors, have the right to be free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. All members of the College community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others.
For more information, please visit the Title IX website.
Confidential Support Resources
Confidential resources are staff (i.e., CAPS and confidential advocates) who will not disclose confidential communications without a client’s or patient’s consent, and the College will not endeavor to take any action in response to such communications. These professionals may have the responsibility to disclose otherwise-privileged information appropriately when they perceive an immediate and/or serious threat to any person or property.
Additionally, confidential resources are not required to report information to the Title IX Coordinator except in rare circumstances such as when there is an immediate and/or serious threat to a person.
- Ali Tartaglia, Associate Dean and Director of Integrated Wellness, can be reached at 802-440-4444 (dial x4444 on campus) - talk or text, for 24/7 support (confidential). She can also be reached at her office, 802-440-4755 (dial x4755 on campus). Ali is a resource for students who have experienced sexual misconduct. She can speak to someone about the process, provide assistance in navigating services, and offer assistance and support.
- Steven Young, Assistant Director of Outreach and Support, can be reached at 802-440-4396 and can also be contacted to speak with someone confidentially or about the process, and provide assistance navigating services and offer assistance and support.
- Clinical staff in Counseling and Psychological Services (x4451; off campus: 802-440-4451)
- Clinical staff in the Student Wellness Center (x4426; off campus: 802-440-4426)
If you have been assaulted, seek help, safety, and security. Call Campus Safety from an on-campus phone by dialing 767; or if you are off campus, dial 911 or 802-447-4250. If you are not experiencing immediate danger or threat, and do not wish to speak to Campus Safety at this time, you may contact the Confidential Advocate at 802-440-4444 (talk or text).
For more information, please visit the Title IX website.
If you have questions or encounter behavior or situations not explicitly covered by the categories above, or if you're uncertain about the appropriate reporting avenue, you are encouraged to contact OICB. OICB can provide guidance on various concerns and can direct you to the appropriate resources.
Land Acknowledgment
Bennington College sits on land which has served as a site of meeting and exchange among indigenous peoples since time immemorial. The Western Abenaki and Mohican people are the traditional caretakers of these Vermont lands and waters, which they call Ndakinna, or “homeland.” We remember their connection to this region and the hardships they continue to endure. We give thanks for the opportunity to share in the bounty of this place and to protect it.