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Emergency: An emergency is a possible or actual immediate threat of serious harm to persons or property. When assessing what constitutes an emergency, a reasonable person standard should be used. Statements or actions that would lead a reasonable and prudent person to believe that a threat to personal safety or property exists warrants a report.  If in doubt, contact police to assist with assessing the level of severity.

Hosted/Sponsored Event: An event that meets the criteria set forth in �պ�����’s Facilities and Grounds Use for Events and Activities Policy.

Internal Event: An event that meets the criteria set forth in �պ�����’s Facilities and Grounds Use for Events and Activities Policy.

Threat Assessment Team (TAT): The team responsible for assessing and responding to alleged threats or acts of violence that impact �պ����� community members or otherwise occur at a �պ����� facility or off-campus location in connection with an internal or hosted/sponsored event. In cases where the threat is to self only, and not to others, the matter will be referred by the TAT to the appropriate �պ����� official(s) for intervention and support.

Threats or Acts of Violence: A threat is a spoken, written, or symbolic expression with intent to do harm to or act violently toward someone or something. A threat or act of violence justifying assessment and investigation is a statement or an action that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their own safety or the safety of others. If sufficiently egregious, a threat can constitute a criminal act.  If in doubt, contact police to assist with an assessment of the level of threat.

�պ����� Community Member: A student, faculty member, employee, volunteer, visitor, member of an organization that fits the definition specified in �պ�����’s Affiliated Organization Policy, or other individuals while in attendance at a �պ����� internal or hosted/sponsored event.

University Premises: Any property owned, leased or operated by the University, including locations of university sponsored or hosted events.

The reporting channels below distinguish between apparent emergency and non-emergency situations.  Any person who is unsure as to whether an emergency exists should contact �պ����� Police Services immediately at 9-1-1 or 802-656-3473.

Any University unit or employee who perceives there to be a threat of violence, or otherwise receives a report of a threat of violence, must immediately ensure that a report to police services has been made or make that report themselves without delay. Students should similarly make such reports without delay.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS INVOLVING THREATS

• On Campus - Call �պ����� Police Services at 9-1-1 (Emergencies only) or 802-656-3473
• Off-Campus - Call 9-1-1 (Emergencies only) or local police 
• Anonymous reports may be made, using the methods noted above and via the messaging function provided in the LiveSafe application.  Anonymous reports are always better than no report, but reporters should be aware that additional engagement can often assist in determining the best response/course of action.  LiveSafe enables two-way communication while maintaining anonymity.

NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS INVOLVING THREATS

• For matters related to �պ����� employees, in lieu of or in addition to contacting �պ����� Police Services, �պ����� affiliates may contact Human Resources at 802-656-2241 or the employee’s supervisor.
• For matters related to �պ����� students, in lieu of or in addition to contacting �պ����� Police Services, �պ����� affiliates may contact the Dean of Students Office at 802-656-3380.
• For matters involving persons who are not �պ����� affiliates, �պ����� community members should contact �պ����� Police Services at 802-656-3473

General

When a report is made regarding any perceived threat or act of violence, Police Services will evaluate and respond to the incident through the exercise of reasonable professional judgment in light of the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The Chief of Police Services or designee or any member of TAT may convene the team to assist in assessing the threat or act of violence and recommending an appropriate course of action to responsible officials. The TAT may also be convened by request of an appropriate administrator.

Threat Assessment and Response Process

TAT personnel shall be guided by their reasonable professional judgment in the discharge of their responsibilities as team members. Foremost guiding their work will be the immediate safety needs of the person(s) who is the subject of an apparent or actual threat or act of violence, and the conduct of the person allegedly, or demonstrated to be, making or committing the threat or act of violence. If an assessment may lead to disciplinary action or suspension/leave for medical reasons, such action will follow customary channels applicable to student or personnel actions as otherwise established by University policy or collective bargaining agreements.

The TAT is also responsible for communicating on a need-to-know basis with the Dean of Students’ Office and/or supervisory personnel, as well as monitoring of the situation after the immediate crisis has passed.

Roles & Responsibilities

Chief Safety & Compliance Officer (CSCO): The CSCO is responsible to:

1. Appoint the members of the Threat Assessment Team.
2. Periodically review team membership and make updates as necessary.
3. Ensure appropriate training for team members.
4. Inform the campus community of how to make a referral to the Threat Assessment Team.

Threat Assessment Team (TAT): �պ�����’s TAT is charged with assessing risk associated with perceived or actual threats or acts of violence and, in cooperation with other �պ����� units, teams or responsible parties as appropriate, formulating a response in situations where an individual’s objective conduct indicates they may present a threat to the physical health or safety of others.  The TAT seeks to mitigate potential risks before they result in harm. The TAT is advisory and makes recommendations to the appropriate unit or responsible official in the programs for which they are responsible.

Membership

The team is chaired by the Chief Safety and Compliance Officer or their designee and has standing representation from the following units:

• Police Services
• Faculty Affairs
• Dean of Students Office
• Labor and Employee Relations
• The Center for Health and Wellbeing
• General Counsel

�պ����� personnel and outside resources with relevant areas of specialization and responsibility may be called upon to assist the team.

All reports under this policy will be handled in a sensitive manner and in accordance with �պ�����’s Privacy Policy. Information will be shared with others only to the extent necessary to assess and manage the situation and in accordance with state and federal law.

In general, while privacy laws recognize and protect the confidentiality of communications between a person seeking care and a medical or mental health professional or religious advisor, these laws also allow for the disclosure of information in the event of an emergency or in the event of a serious risk of danger to another person or property and for law enforcement purposes. �պ����� will make these disclosures as necessary to protect the health and safety of the �պ����� community.

Retaliation against someone making a good faith report under this Policy is prohibited. Anyone making a good faith report under this Policy will be protected in accordance with �պ�����’s Whistleblower Policy: Reporting, Protections & Non-Retaliation.

Training of TAT members will be done in accordance with current threat assessment standards by a combination of federal, state, and contracted trainers, as determined by the Responsible Official.