About BEAT

Duquesne's Building Education Awareness Team (BEAT) is a multidisciplinary team that was founded to educate the campus community, to monitor and report on trends and to respond to incidents through restorative practices.

Overall, BEAT serves as an educational and supportive resource to the University community.

BEAT reporting form

Building Education Awareness Team Members

Crystal McCormick Ware, Chief Opportunity, Community Building and Engagement Officer and Senior Advisor to the President

Co-Chairs

  • Tracie Ballock, Assistant University Librarian for Collections & Metadata Services, Gumberg Library
  • Quincy Stephenson, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Center: Fostering Student Connection

Ex-Officio Members

  • Leanna Fenneberg, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Student Life
  • Alan Pittler, Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs
  • Rev. Ray French, C.S.Sp., Senior Vice President for Mission & Identity

Working Committee

  • Margaret Allen, Assistant Director, Freshman Development & Disability Services 

  • Tracie Ballock, Assistant University Librarian for Collections & Metadata Services, Gumberg Library
  • April Barton, J.D., Dean and Professor of Law, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
  • Kristine Blair, Ph.D., Dean/Professor, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
  • Danielle Campbell, Assistant Director, Office of Student Conduct
  • Father William Christy,  Director of Campus Ministry and University Chaplain
  • Kristin D'Acunto, Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Physician Assistant Studies, John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences 
  • Ryan Dawson, Associate Vice President/Chief HR Officer, Office of Human Resources

  • Joseph DeCrosta, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Global Engagement

  • Elizabeth Deluliis, Clinical Associate Professor and Occupational Therapy MS and OTD Program Director, John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences 

  • Luci-Jo DiMaggio, Ph.D., Director of Mission Animation, Office of Mission & Identity

  • Bob Gerlach, Director of Emergency Management and Threat Assessment

  • Terry Karwoski, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Recruitment

  • Jessica Mann, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President, Office of Community Engagement

  • Crystal McCormick Ware, Chief Opportunity, Community Building and Engagement Officer and Senior Advisor to the President

  • Mary Parish, Ph.D., Associate Director, Online Learning & Strategy

  • Matthew Regentin, Teaching Assistant Professor, School of Science and Engineering
  • Lindsay Seal, Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Office of Human Resources

  • Quincy Stephenson, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Center: Fostering Student Connection

  • Paula Sweitzer, Director, Environmental Health and Safety

What BEAT is NOT

  • BEAT does not conduct investigations or impose discipline.

  • BEAT is not a sanctioning body and does not determine or implement sanctions or consequences.

  • BEAT will monitor reporting trends and may recommend responsive and educational programming to some or all of the University's community.

BEAT Resources

Purpose

Duquesne University is an educational institution founded by the members of the Spiritan Congregation. Consistent with its mission, Duquesne is committed to creating an atmosphere free from discrimination and to fostering an inclusive campus environment for all members of the University community. Accordingly, Duquesne's Building Education Awareness Team (BEAT) is a multidisciplinary team that was founded to educate the campus community, to monitor and report on trends, and to address incidents through restorative practices.

Incidents

The Building Education Awareness Team (BEAT) is available to assist individuals who have concerns about incidents. Incidents are conscious or unconscious actions committed against a person or group that impacts that person or group on the basis of that person or group's race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic history, Veteran status, disability (visible or invisible), and/or any other category or characteristic otherwise protected by state or federal law.

Reporting an Incident 

Reports regarding incidents may be made using BEAT's online reporting form. A reporter may choose to make an anonymous report.

However, BEAT's ability to provide support and resources may be limited without knowing the reporter's name.

After a Report is Received

When BEAT receives a report about an incident, BEAT will meet with the reporting person or group, as well as any other impacted individuals, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options and restorative support.

BEAT may meet with the person(s) about whom the report is made, with their consent, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options and restorative support. BEAT may also connect the person(s) about whom the report is made with educational opportunities.

Restorative support will be provided on an ongoing basis, as needed.

Educational and Supportive Resources

BEAT serves as an educational and supportive resource to the University's community.

BEAT does not conduct investigations or impose discipline.

BEAT is not a sanctioning body and does not determine or implement sanctions or consequences.

BEAT will monitor reporting trends and may recommend responsive and educational programming to some or all of the University's community.

Other Information

Religiously-Affiliated Institution

Duquesne University is an educational institution operated in affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and accordingly has certain Constitutional or statutory rights as a religiously-affiliated organization. In particular Duquesne reserves the right to specify as a qualification for employment the ability and willingness to support the values of Catholicism as set forth in the University's Mission Statement.

Legal or Policy Violations

If BEAT receives a report about conduct that may be a legal or policy violation, BEAT will refer the report to the appropriate University office.  If the reported conduct may be a violation of TAP 61, BEAT is required to share the report with the University's Title IX Coordinator.

To the extent BEAT refers the report to the appropriate University office for a legal or policy violation, BEAT remains available to the reporting person, other impacted persons if applicable, and the person(s) about whom the report was made to assist with resources and restorative support.  

What is an incident?

Incidents are conscious or unconscious actions committed against a person or group that impacts that person or group on the basis of that person or group's race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic history, Veteran status, disability (visible or invisible), and/or any other category or characteristic otherwise protected by state or federal law.

What if I have been impacted by an incident?

You are encouraged to report incidents to the Building Education Awareness Team (BEAT) using the online reporting form.

What if someone reports to me that they have been impacted by an incident?

Encourage them to share their report with BEAT. BEAT encourages all individuals who have witnessed or experienced an incident to report.

What happens after a report is made to BEAT?

When a report is received, a group of BEAT reviewers will review the report. Where the reported conduct may be a legal or policy violation, BEAT will refer the report to the appropriate University office. In that case, BEAT is available to the reporter for ongoing restorative support. Where the report is not referred to another University office, BEAT reviewers will offer to meet with the reporter, as well as any other impacted individuals if applicable, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options, and restorative support. BEAT reviewers may meet with the person(s) about whom the report is made, with their consent, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options, and restorative support. BEAT may also connect the person(s) about whom the report is made with educational opportunities. If appropriate and agreed to by all parties, BEAT reviewers may facilitate a dialogue or mediation between the parties. BEAT does not conduct investigations or impose discipline.  BEAT is not a sanctioning body and does not determine or implement sanctions or consequences.

Is my report kept confidential?

While every effort is taken to maintain confidentiality of reports/reporters, there may be instances, depending on the nature of the report, that it would be necessary to share identifying information with other departments such as Student Conduct or HR.

What is BEAT?

Duquesne's Building Education Awareness Team (BEAT) is a multidisciplinary team that was founded to educate the campus community, to monitor and report on trends, and to address incidents through restorative practices.

What is the purpose of BEAT?

The purpose of BEAT is to provide educational and restorative responses to incidents that occur within the campus community and to help restore feelings of belonging.

Is BEAT a disciplinary body?

No, BEAT has no disciplinary authority and does not adjudicate alleged incidents, though it can refer for conduct proceedings as appropriate.

What responsibilities does BEAT have?

BEAT is charged with the following responsibilities:

  • Assist in the development of a University policy on free speech on campus consistent with its status and identity as a private educational institution operated in affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and the University's Spiritan Father founders
  • Receive and review reports of related incidents and direct those reports to appropriate areas for response
  • Raise awareness of incidents within our campus community through educational programming and activities
  • Provide support and guidance to those negatively impacted by incidents and connecting them with the appropriate campus resources

How does BEAT define "incidents"?

Incidents are conscious or unconscious actions committed against a person or group that impacts that person or group on the basis of that person or group's race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic history, Veteran status, disability (visible or invisible), and/or any other category or characteristic otherwise protected by state or federal law.

What incidents should be reported to BEAT?

Potential incidents can range from subtle one-time acts to overt, severe, and/or repeated occurrences. BEAT encourages the reporting of all incidents, including those that occur in online or electronic communication.

How does someone report an incident to BEAT?

Anyone can make a report of an incident. Reports regarding incidents may be made using BEAT's online reporting form.

Can I make an anonymous report?

A reporter may choose to make an anonymous report. However, BEAT's ability to provide support and resources may be limited without knowing the reporter's name.

How long do I have to report an incident?

While there is no specific time limit for reporting an incident, it is important to submit a report as soon as possible after you believe an incident has occurred. It is much more effective to investigate and address issues promptly.

Once an incident is reported, what happens?

When a report is received, a group of BEAT reviewers will review the report. Where the reported conduct may be a legal or policy violation, BEAT will refer the report to the appropriate University office. In that case, BEAT is available to the reporter for ongoing restorative support. Where the report is not referred to another University office, BEAT reviewers will offer to meet with the reporter, as well as any other impacted individuals if applicable, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options, and restorative support. BEAT reviewers may meet with the person(s) about whom the report is made, with their consent, to listen to their concerns and help to identify potential resources, options, and restorative support.

BEAT may also connect the person(s) about whom the report is made with educational opportunities.  If appropriate and agreed to by all parties, BEAT reviewers may facilitate a dialogue or mediation between the parties.

BEAT does not conduct investigations or impose discipline.

BEAT is not a sanctioning body and does not determine or implement sanctions or consequences.

Do I report an incident through the Incident Report form if the incident in question involves possible sexual harassment or misconduct?

Any incident involving possible sexual harassment or misconduct should be reported to the University's Title IX Coordinator and Director of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response. Reporters who need a confidential resource with whom to discuss sexual harassment or misconduct may contact:

On-campus confidential resources:

  • Spiritan Campus Ministry (412) 396-6020
  • University Counseling (412) 396-6204
  • University Psychology Clinic (412) 396-6562
  • Health Services (412) 396-6562

Off-campus confidential resources: 

  • Pittsburgh Action Against Rape 24-hour helpline (1.866.END.RAPE)
  • Center for Victims of Violence and Crime 24-hour helpline (1.866.644.2882)
  • Resolve Crisis Network 24-hour helpline (1.888.7.YOU.CAN).

If BEAT receives a report involving possible sexual harassment or misconduct, BEAT is required to share the report with the University's Title IX Coordinator and Director of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.

Should I still report an incident if I know or think someone else has reported the same incident?

Yes. BEAT encourages all individuals who have witness or experienced an incident to report. BEAT values each individual's perspective about incidents and more information will help BEAT respond appropriately to incidents.

Does BEAT consider and address possible retaliation against individuals who make a report?

Yes. The BEAT committee will work with individuals to consider and address retaliation issues.

Will BEAT provide educational programs and activities? 

Yes. A variety of programs and activities will be listed on this BEAT webpage and periodically communicated to the University community. It is hoped that all members of our community will engage, contribute and participate.

Office of Public Safety
publicsafety@duq.edu
(412) 396-6002
For emergencies, call (412) 396-2677 (COPS).

Title IX (Sexual Misconduct)
(412) 396-2560

Counseling and Wellbeing Center
(412) 396-6204

Student Conduct
(412) 396-6642

Ethics Reporting Hotline
(866) 294-8662