To the Editor:

In a recent e-mail to the campus community, SUNY Potsdam president Dr. Esterberg correctly expressed concern over unconscious bias.

The existence of unconscious bias was confirmed about an hour later by a memo from the college about alleged sexual violence involving a student. Reference was made to the accused and the victim — not alleged victim.

Thus, the memo reveals the college’s unconscious bias that he is guilty.

This unconscious bias has a long tradition at Potsdam. Indeed, it’s institutionalized in the college’s Sexual Violence Response Policy. Even the title suggests unconscious bias.

In the official policy, a person variously described as the one who accuses, reports, discloses or complains is called the victim or the victim/survivor. Lacking is the essential qualifier “alleged.”

Clearly, Potsdam must work to eliminate its unconscious bias against those who are accused of crimes. The college should consider people innocent until proven otherwise. That’s fundamental to our society. And it’s middle school civics.

David Hanson

SUNY Potsdam professor emeritus