Violence Prevention Committee /Threat Assessment Team

Purpose(s): The Violence Prevention Committee’s (VPC) /Threat Assessment Team’s (TAT) primary charge is to provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community; identification of members of the campus community to whom threatening behavior should be reported; and policies and procedures for the assessment of individuals whose behavior may present a threat, appropriate means of intervention with such individuals, and sufficient means of action, including interim suspension or medical separation to resolve potential threats.

The Violence Prevention Committee is charged with having in place policies and procedures for the prevention of violence on campus, including assessment and intervention with individuals whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of the campus community.

The Violence Prevention Committee also is charged with the responsibility of advising the President of the College on matters relevant to any threat issues at the College.
The TAT is not an administrative, treatment, or disciplinary group. The TAT is designed to provide information and referrals to those dealing with threatening or disruptive situations. The TAT does not directly adjudicate, discipline, or impose sanctions against any member of the campus community, nor does it provide or mandate treatment.

1.4.1 Specific members of the TAT may be responsible for these functions outside of their
role on the TAT (e.g. Campus Police, student/employee discipline, etc.).

The TAT members act as contacts for staff, faculty, and administrators who are dealing with a threatening, disruptive, or otherwise problematic individual. TAT members listen to their concerns and offer information about resources and will work with the reporting party in addressing the issue.

The initial contact for staff, faculty, and administrators should be the V.P. of Instruction and Student Services or the Campus Police.
Upon receiving a report, the V.P. of Instruction and Student Services or Campus Police will immediately conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the report needs to be reviewed by the TAT.

This Committee is further charged with the responsibility of establishing relationships or utilizing existing relationships with local and state law enforcement agencies as well as mental health agencies to expedite assessment and intervention with individuals whose behavior may present a threat to safety.

Membership: The Violence Prevention Committee/Threat Assessment Team shall be composed of the following: ^{(code 23-9.2:10)}

• Vice President of Instruction and Student Services
•  Campus Police
•  Human Resources
•  Counseling services
•  Student Affairs
•  Other members as determined necessary
•  Legal Counsel (as needed)
•  Mental Health (as needed)

The Committee/Team shall develop a clear statement of mission, membership and leadership. Such statement shall be published and available to the campus community.

Meeting Schedule: In order to get this Committee organized each year, the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services shall call its initial meeting as soon as possible after membership has been determined. Subsequent meetings for emergencies will be called as needed.

Violence Prevention Committee/Threat Assessment Team 2014-2015:

• Hara Charlier
• Blake Andis
• Laura McClellan
• Beth Page
• Karen Copenhaver
• Michael McBride

Record Keeping: Documented reports and actions will be kept and reports made by the campus police and only viewed by the committee if needed. This is for the release of any educational reports concerning the student/faculty would not be included (FERPA).

Key members:

Campus Police Office Personnel
The Campus Police Office is responsible for maintaining and distributing records of certain incidents reported to Campus Police and the local police. They are also responsible for notifying the college President following reports of violent incidents, threats of violence, or the presence of a firearm or other dangerous weapon on campus.

Human Resources Office
The Human Resources Representative will ensure that new employees be made aware of the Violence Prevention Committee for students, faculty and staff at new employee orientations.

Vice President of Instruction and Student Services
The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services will be the chairperson of the committee. She/he will hold committee meeting annually or as needed in an emergency.

Counseling Services
The Counseling Service Representative may determine whether an individual shows early identification of mental health disorders and should be referred for additional assistance.

Emergency Planning Officer
The Emergency Planning Officer will update or revise the policy once a year or as needed.