Campus Violence Prevention

Policy Number: 
IV.05.08
Reason for Policy: 

The University of Oregon (“UO” and “University”) is committed to maintaining a safe campus and workplace.

As an institution of higher learning, the University of Oregon aims to create and maintain a safe, welcoming learning and working environment for all of its community members. This policy seeks to signal the University’s commitment to safety and to help ensure that community members understand what is expected of them in their interactions with others.

Entities Affected by this Policy: 

All members of the UO community, and visitors to University-owned or controlled property or attendees at UO-sponsored events.

Responsible Office: 

For questions about this policy, please contact the please contact the Vice President for Finance and Administration at (541) 346-3003.

Enactment & Revision History: 

06 February 2019 - Enacted by the university president

Policy: 

UO is committed to maintaining a safe campus and workplace.

As a part of this commitment, the University prohibits campus violence which include, [but are not limited to], acts of threats, stalking and violent behavior or violence against students, employees, visitors, or any other person(s) who is on property owned or controlled by UO or at any University-sponsored event and will take appropriate action in response to campus violence. Note that this policy does not cover behaviors governed by UO’s prohibited discrimination policies.

Definitions:

For the purposes of this Policy, campus violence includes:

  • Stalking is behavior in which a person repeatedly engages in unwanted conduct directed at another specific person [or persons], which places that person or persons in reasonable fear of their safety or the safety of others. Stalking encompasses the use of technology to commit this behavior.
  • Threat is any physical, written, or verbal conduct, whether direct, indirect or conditional, that conveys intent or is reasonably perceived to convey intent to cause physical harm to property or someone or to place someone in fear of his or her safety or the safety of others. Threat encompasses the use of technology to commit this behavior.
  • Violent Behavior involves physically aggressive acts against a person or persons or a physical action intended to damage property.
  • Reasonable: In determining whether something is reasonable for purposes of this policy, the university will review the behavior on an objective and subjective basis, meaning, for example, that it will review whether the person that is being subjected to the behavior is experiencing a certain fear or threat and whether a reasonable, similarly situated person would also be experiencing fear or a threat.

REPORTING:

Any UO employee who is the subject of, or a witness to, a suspected violation of this policy, including retaliation for making a good faith report, is strongly urged to report the violation. Reports may be made pursuant to the below chart. Offices that review reports can help determine whether immediate action is necessary and will consult with the university’s Behavioral Evaluation Threat Assessment (BETA) team as necessary. These offices include the Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean of Students and Employee and Labor Relations. BETA will track incidents to ensure that patterns of behaviors are included in its assessment of threats across campus. BETA does not impose sanctions or disciplinary actions. The appropriate university office or unit will impose any sanctions or disciplinary actions in accordance with university policies, procedures, and CBAs

ASSESSMENT:

Generally, BETA assesses whether a person is deemed to be a threat or to have engaged in threatening behavior for purposes of this policy. In making this assessment, BETA uses a professionally accepted criteria and consults with individuals trained to understand the difference between a threat and behavior that is non-threatening but may impact others. Disciplinary action imposed under this policy will occur in accordance with applicable policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreements.

SUPPORT SERVICES:

Regardless of whether behavior reported to the university is deemed to be in violation of this policy, individuals impacted by the behavior will be offered or referred to available support resources. The lead response unit[1] on campus will coordinate with appropriate campus and community partners to provide support services to those who have been the target of threats, stalking or threats or acts of violence.

CONSEQUENCES:

UO will take appropriate remedial action to protect employees, students, and ensure public safety from campus violence. Employees who engage in campus violence may be subject to disciplinary and/or corrective action, up to and including termination. Students who violate this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including explusion, under the Student Conduct Code. Campus visitors who violate this policy may be trespassed from campus.

Certain acts of campus violence violate the law and could result in criminal prosecution by the public authorities.

TRAINING, RESPONSE and COMMUNICATION:

The University will provide campus violence prevention training opportunities and assistance, where appropriate.

The University of Oregon Police Department and Safety and Risk Services are responsible for maintaining and updating the protocol for responding to acts of violence on campus.

BETA is responsible for maintaining, updating and communicating to the campus community the threat of violence reporting protocol.

If an individual has a medical condition that may make compliance with this policy difficult then they are encouraged to contact the university’s ADA Coordinator (541.346.3159 or hrinfo@uoregon.edu) at their earliest convenience in order to discuss their concerns, and to brainstorm possible accommodations that may proactively reduce the likelihood of such behavior occurring. Generally, a person’s medical condition will not excuse behavior that violates this policy.

RETALIATION:

No person shall be retaliated against in their employment or student status for reporting in good faith perceived campus violence. If a person believes that they have been retaliated against for making a good faith report under this policy or if they witness retaliation against a person who has made a good faith report, they can contact the employee and labor relations team to report the incident: https://hr.uoregon.edu/employee-labor-relations/contact-employee-and-lab....

APPEALS:

Employees subject to discipline for violating this policy may appeal the discipline through applicable grievance procedures. Students found in violation of this policy may appeal the discipline through the Student Conduct Code. Campus visitors found in violation of this policy may appeal the resulting trespass order to the Vice President Finance and Administration’s office, as provided for in UOPD’s trespass policy.

IMPLEMENTATION:

The university will implement this policy in accordance with UO policy and state and federal law, including but not limited to the First Amendment and academic freedom rights. The policy does not limit the university’s right to address disruptive behavior or behavior that violates expectations set forth in other policies or procedures.

CONTACT/REPORTING INFORMATION

 

Incidents/Reporting Process

Campus: Call 911 immediately

 

Threats of Campus Violence – not imminent or immediate danger: Promptly report to one of the following:

Primary Contact:

Offices that Review Reports:

 

[1] This may include, but is not limited to: BETA, Student Care Team, Dean of Students staff, UO Police Department, Human Resources, etc

Chapter/Volume: 
  • Volume IV: Finance, Administration and Infrastructure
  • Chapter 5: Public Safety and Risk Services
Original Source: 
UO Policy Statement