The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is reconsidering a new campus policy on hate crimes and ‘bias incidents’ after objections arose from the ACLU and the Chancellor of Nevada's public higher education system. The policy, which was set to be implemented in July, outlines how students and faculty should deal with bias incidents. It defines bias incidents as "verbal, written, or physical acts of intimidation, coercion, interference, frivolous claims, discrimination, and sexual or other harassment motivated, in whole or in part, by bias" based on characteristics including actual or perceived race, religion, sex (including gender identity or gender expression or a pregnancy-related condition), physical appearance and political affiliation. Statements which are intended for intellectual purposes and inquiry are excluded from this definition—though “intellectual purposes” is also not defined. The ACLU of Nevada says that the policy prohibits speech that is protected by the First Amendment, such as statements denigrating someone’s religion.  Several faculty members have also expressed concern over the policy’s potential impact on academic freedom. However, Christine Clark, UNLV's vice president of diversity and inclusion is defending the policy. Clark explains that the policy outlines “formal” and “informal” means of dealing with bias incidents, and encourages students to take informal means, such as starting dialogues about the problems first.

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