Campus Violence Prevention Plan
The SIUE Campus Violence Prevention Plan (CVPP) was established in response to the Illinois Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008 and serves to help identify and address potentially dangerous situations before they erupt into violence. The CVPP covers all faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors and visitors at the Alton School of Dental Medicine, E.astSt. Louis Higher Education Campus, Edwardsville Campus, SIUE School of Nursing (Springfield), SIUE School of Nursing (Carbondale) and any other University-owned or -controlled property, buildings or facilities.
To prevent and deter violence, the campus community must work together to:
- Remain aware of its surroundings;
- Stay watchful for unusual changes in persons or environment;
- Observe unusual conduct or behaviors; and
- Immediately report suspicious or unusual behaviors.
SIUE has developed a Threat Assessment Team that comprises representatives of the University police, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Counseling Services, Housing, Human Resources, General Counsel, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and others deemed necessary and appropriate. The Threat Assessment Team is responsible for:
- Receiving and reviewing information obtained from any reporting party, witness or observer to determine a potential threat;
- Working with affected unit(s) to develop and implement an appropriate action plan to respond to/handle incidents and persons of concern; and
- Providing information and making recommendations to the appropriate University functional units for corrective action.
To be successful in preventing and deterring violence, everyone should be active and involved in helping to maintain the safety and security of the campus community by:
- Being the eyes and ears of the campus community;
- Being aware of their surroundings;
- Watching over university activities and operations;
- Reporting unusual or suspicious behaviors;
- Reading and being familiar with the Campus Violence Prevention Plan and the Emergency Management Plan;
- Becoming knowledgeable of behaviors or actions that could lead to violence;
- Knowing how to report, whom to report to and what to report; and
- Not waiting to act. Act immediately!
- Contact the SIUE Police Department if you have any concerns about something you learn or observe.
- Refer a troubled friend for assistance to Counseling Services, Student Affairs, Housing Staff, Human Resources or the Police Department.
Various personal behaviors may be symptomatic of potential violence, such as:
- Slow or radical change in a person’s behavior, academic or workplace performance, appearance or conduct;
- Aggressive or irrational behavior through words or actions;
- Severe depression, unhappiness or irregular emotional behavior;
- Inability to control anger, confrontational or disturbing words or actions;
- Unusual overreaction to normal circumstances;
- Lack of compassion or empathy for others;
- Any threat or act of violence;
- Damage to property;
- Unusual nervousness, tension or anxiety;
- Expression of suicidal thoughts, feelings or acts;
- Threatening statements, displays, photos or other publications in electronic format or communication; and
- Any other action, word or behavior that a person might reasonably believe could lead to violence.
Persons should report any suspicious or unusual behaviors and/or incidents to a University official or department so that appropriate action can be taken. Persons can report suspicious or unusual behaviors and/or incidents by:
- Downloading and completing the incident report.
- Contacting the SIUE Police Department and submitting a written statement;
- Contacting the Emergency Management and Safety Office;
- Contacting the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Office;
- Contacting Human Resources; or
- Contacting any other University office or department.
Additional emergency management resources are:
- Campus Violence Prevention Plan [pdf]
- SIUE Threat Assessment Policy
- Violence prevention training video “Flashpoint” and the emergency response training video “Shots Fired on Campus”
- More information about campus security measures, violence prevention and/or publication of this information may be obtained from the Vice Chancellor of Administration, (618) 650‑2536.
In most cases of violence, there were a number of signs of impending violence. Too often, these signs were ignored or not reported to the proper authorities. If we don’t share and communicate what we know, when we know it, it may be too late! Although the University is committed to a campus free of violence and threats of harm, and implements plans and procedures to help prevent violence, the most important preventive measures are your awareness and observations.
Awareness is the key to a successful violence prevention plan, and we all must work together to keep our campus free of threats and violence.