Policies & Procedures

Miscellaneous

Workplace Violence Policies and Procedures - 2C6 & 3C5

1. Purpose
   

   The safety and security of personnel, students and visitors is of vital importance to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). This policy and the companion procedure describe SIUE's position on violence and threats of violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, in University facilities and on University property and identify University resources and programs to deal with such incidents.

2. Policy Statement
   

   It is the policy of this institution to provide a safe environment in order to conduct the mission of the University in the most effective manner possible. A safe environment will be attained by appropriate employee screening, employee education and training, surveillance of the work area, and effective management of situations involving violence or threats of violence on University property. It is the intent of the University through its policy, procedures, and practices to reduce the potential for:

   1. Intimidation or threats from occurring.
   2. Violent acts being perpetuated.
   3. Life threatening situations from developing.
      
      
3. Definitions:
   
   
   1. Threat: Words or action that create a reasonable perception of an intent to physically harm persons or property.
   2. Violence: Any act that results in threatened or actual harm to a person or property or which unnecessarily endangers or threatens the health, safety or well-being of another person or threatens the damage or destruction of property.
      
      
4. Applicability: This policy and companion procedures apply to all SIUE facilities and property and to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the University. All employees are responsible to be familiar with and comply with this policy and companion procedures.
   
   
5. Policy Provisions
   
   
   1. It is a violation of law to touch another person in an unwelcome way with the intent to harm, or to threaten to do so if one has the present ability to perform the act threatened. Threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence against employees, faculty, staff, students, customers, consumers, visitors, guests, or other individuals on SIUE property will not be tolerated and may subject individuals to discipline, up to and including termination from employment or dismissal from the University pursuant to the applicable University, Civil Service or collective bargaining procedures. Any individual engaging in prohibited conduct under this policy is also subject to legal action.
      
      
   2. SIUE will not tolerate the following conduct or behavior:
      
      
      1. Threats, direct or implied;
      2. Physical conduct that results in harm to people or property;
      3. Possession of weapons on University property. It is a violation of Illinois law to possess or store weapons on University property without prior written permission from the University Police Chief or in accordance with the SIUE Firearms Policy;
      4. Intimidating conduct or harassment that disrupts the work or educational environment or results in fear for personal safety;
      5. Other inappropriate and threatening behavior such as:
         
         
         1. Unwelcome name-calling, obscene language and other verbally abusive behavior;
         2. Throwing objects, regardless of the size or type of the object being thrown or whether a person is the target of a thrown object;
         3. Physically touching another person in an intimidating, malicious, or sexually harassing manner. By way of example, this conduct includes acts such as hitting, slapping, poking, kicking, pinching, grabbing, and pushing;
         4. Physically intimidating others, including such acts as obscene gestures, "getting in your face" and fist-shaking.
            
            
   3. The SIUE Office of Human Resources will make counseling, direction, training, and education regarding violence, threats of violence, and prevention of violence available to managers, employees, and students as appropriate.
      
      
   4. University offices and officials with primary responsibility to implement and achieve the goals of this policy include:
      
      
      1. University Police Department
      2. Vice Chancellor for Administration
      3. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
      4. Director of Office of Human Resources
      5. University Counseling Services
      6. Office of the General Counsel
         
         
   5. To supplement and enhance the services of these University offices, the Campus Threat Assessment Team, which includes representatives from the Office of Human Resources, University Police, Counseling Services, Office of Student Affairs, University Housing, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the General Counsel, and other units as appropriate, will investigate reported acts of violence or threats. The purpose of the Campus Threat Assessment Team is to provide thorough investigation of incidents of threatening or violent conduct in order to resolve the situation, make appropriate referrals for victims and perpetrators, and make recommendations for further action.
      
      

Illinois statute prohibiting possession of weapons on University property defines weapon as: "a handgun, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, any other firearm small enough to be concealed upon the person, semiautomatic firearm, or machine gun . . . any other rifle, shotgun, spring gun, other firearm, stun gun or taser . . . knife with a blade of at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk, switchblade knife, stiletto, ax, hatchet, or other deadly or dangerous weapon or instrument of like character . . . a bludgeon, black-jack, slingshot, sand-bag, sand-club, metal knuckles, billy or other dangerous weapon of like character." The University considers souvenirs and weapons which have been rendered permanently inoperative to fall within this law, as well as any bomb, bombshell, grenade, bottle or other container containing an explosive or noxious substance.  The possession of firearms on University property shall be governed by the SIUE Firearms Policy.  [Return to referring text within the policy.]

Workplace Violence Procedures

1. Purpose
   These procedures define and describe the processes to be followed in responding to threats of violence and managing incidents of violence or threatened violence.
   
   
2. Definitions
   Applicable definitions may be found in the companion policy.
   
   
3. Procedures - General
   SIUE responds to real and potential acts of violence through the following means:
   
   
   1. Protection: The University Police Department serves the University to provide a safe and protected environment for people and property in all University facilities and property. In addition to law enforcement services, the Department can provide police escorts, surveillance, crime prevention programs, violence awareness and prevention programs and other services as appropriate.
      
      
   2. Education and Training: The Office of Human Resources will periodically provide training programs and individual counseling to managers and supervisory personnel, students, and to other employees on violence-related subjects - prevention of and response to violence and threats of violence, stress management, and conflict resolution dealing with difficult people.
      
      
   3. Prevention: The University services described in this procedure seek to prevent acts of violence at the University through training and intervention.
      
      
   4. Intervention and Crisis Management: Training, intervention, and crisis management services are provided by the Campus Threat Assessment Team, the Office of Human Resources and other appropriate University offices, when threats or actual acts of violence occur on University property.
      
      
   5. Follow-Up: The Campus Threat Assessment Team will be available to support and counsel employees and students following acts of violence at the University.
      
      
4. Employing Unit Responsibilities
   Managers, including department heads, supervisors, deans and directors have the following responsibilities:
   
   
   1. Be familiar with the SIUE Workplace Violence Policy and these procedures.
   2. Ensure that employees under their supervision are familiar with the SIUE Workplace Violence Policy and these procedures.
   3. Coordinate with the Office of Human Resources for workplace violence training for supervisors and managers in their functional units and for other staff as appropriate.
   4. Maintain an atmosphere conducive to appropriate resolution of disputes and an atmosphere that encourages the reporting of incidents of violence or threatening conduct.
   5. Evaluate any alleged threat or act of violence by assessing (1) whether an imminent risk of harm to persons or property exists, (2) the perceived intent and the capacity and means to fulfill the threat, (3) the duration of risk, and (4) the likelihood that harm will occur.
   6. If the circumstances do not indicate an imminent danger to persons or damage to property the responsible manager will:
      1. document the circumstances associated with the event, including a record of information from any individual involved in or witnessing the incident and the manager's assessment of the cause of the circumstances. The manager will request that witnesses prepare written statements of the event;
      2. if an employee was involved in perpetrating an act of violence or threatening conduct, contact the Office of Human Resources to report the incident and to request guidance and assistance;
      3. if a student was involved in perpetrating an act of violence or threatening conduct, contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to report the incident and to request guidance and assistance;
      4. promptly develop and implement a plan of action.
   7. If the circumstances do indicate an imminent danger to persons or damage to property the responsible manager will:
      
      
      1. notify University Police;
      2. seek assistance for persons needing care;
      3. document the circumstances associated with the event, including a record of information from any individual involved in or witnessing the incident and the manager's assessment of the cause of the circumstances. The manager will request that witnesses prepare written statements of the event;
      4. if an employee was involved in perpetrating an act of violence or threatening conduct, contact the Office of Human Resources to report the incident and to request guidance and assistance;
      5. if a student was involved in perpetrating an act of violence or threatening conduct, contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to report the incident and to request guidance and assistance;
      6. promptly develop and implement a plan of action.
         
         
5. Faculty/Staff/Student Employee Responsibilities
   Faculty, staff and student employees have the following responsibilities:
   
   
   1. Be familiar with the SIUE Workplace Violence Policy and these procedures.
   2. Immediately report violations of the policy to an appropriate administrator (e.g., immediate supervisor, department head, University Police, Office of Human Resources).
   3. Any individual who is the victim of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, or who believes he or she may be the victim of violence, is encouraged to promptly notify an appropriate administrator and University Police. If the individual has obtained an order of protection, either a temporary or permanent order, from any court, which would include University property as a protected area, the individual should provide a copy of the order of protection to the appropriate administrator and to University Police. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
      
      
6. University Police Responsibilities
   University Police personnel have the following responsibilities:
   
   
   1. Immediately respond to calls for assistance in a situation involving violence or threats.
   2. Enforce criminal law, including making arrests or escorting individuals from University property when appropriate.
   3. Assist in restoring order in a conflict situation.
   4. Arrange for emergency medical assistance where necessary.
   5. Assist in the preparation and presentation of training on workplace violence and prevention.
   6. Participate on Campus Threat Assessment Team.
   7. Report to the Illinois State Policy persons who pose a "Clear and Present Danger" pursuant to the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/105), and the SIUE Clear and Present Danger Reporting Policy.
      
      
      
7. Office of Human Resources Responsibilities
   The Office of Human Resources has the following responsibilities:
   
   
   1. Provide assistance to the employing unit.
   2. Assess appropriate corrective action.
   3. Notify the Campus Threat Assessment Team of any reported incident of violence or threatening behavior.
   4. Arrange for appropriate periodic training programs for University personnel and students on violence-related subjects.
   5. Participate on Campus Threat Assessment Team.
      
      
8. University Office of Student Affairs
   The University Office of Student Affairs has the following responsibilities:
   
   
   1. Where an incident of violence or threatening conduct involves a student, assess appropriate corrective action in accordance with the Student Conduct Code.
      
      
9. Campus Threat Assessment Team
   The Campus Threat Assessment Team consists of representatives from the Office of Human Resources, University Police, Counseling Services, Office of Student Affairs, University Housing, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the General Counsel, and other units as appropriate. The Campus Threat Assessment Team is intended to investigate and assist in dealing with serious threats and/or incidents of violence. The Campus Threat Assessment Team is not intended to address workplace issues that should be handled with appropriate procedures at the employing unit or Student Affairs level. It is designed to:
   
   
   1. Assess and manage incidents involving imminent danger or violence;
   2. Work with the affected unit to develop and implement an appropriate action plan to alleviate repercussions of incidents of violence and to prevent future incidents;
   3. Conduct an investigation and any necessary follow-up as appropriate;
   4. Provide information and make recommendations to appropriate University functional units for appropriate corrective action to prevent future incidents of violence.

   Once the Campus Threat Assessment Team is notified of an incident, the team will confer as soon as reasonably possible to determine what response from the team is necessary.

Approved by Chancellor effective 5/7/14
This policy was issued on August 19, 2014, replacing the February 29, 2012 version.
Document Reference: 2C6 & 3C5
Origin: OC 1/18/01; OC 5/7/14