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See Also Student Code of Conduct, Part D, items 4, 6, Appendix I
Policy on Violence Prevention and Response (2.13)
On August 4, 1999, Governor John G. Rowland signed Executive Order No. 16 instituting a “zero tolerance ” Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy for all state agency personnel, contractors, subcontractors and vendors. In accordance with this directive and in an effort to provide a safe environment for employees, students, visitors and guests while on the premises of the Community Colleges, the Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges has adopted and expanded the application of the Governor’s policy. Executive Order No. 16 is attached to this Board policy and is fully incorporated herein.
For purposes of this policy, “violence” is defined as an overt act or threat of harm to a person or property, or any act that poses a substantial threat to the safety of any person or property. “Premises” is defined as any space owned or leased by the Community Colleges or any of its constituent units, including vehicles and any location where college or system business or activities are conducted. Conduct that may violate this policy includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Intimidating, harassing or threatening behaviors
- Physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, poking, kicking punching, grabbing, etc.
- Verbal abuse, including yelling, shouting, use of sexually, racially or ethnically charged epithets, etc.
- Vandalism
- Carrying or possessing weapons or dangerous instruments of any kind on Community College premises, unless properly authorized
- Using such weapons
- Any other act that a reasonable person would consider to constitute a threat of violence, including oral or written statements, gestures or expressions that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical harm
Reporting Threats or Violent Act
A person who feels that he or she has been subjected to threats or acts of violence as defined herein, or a person who witnesses such threats or acts, must report the incident to a supervisor, manager or to the Human Resources office. Supervisors and managers who receive such reports shall seek advice from the Human Resources office regarding investigating the incident and initiating appropriate action. Serious incidents or serious threats of imminent danger to the safety of persons or property should immediately be reported to proper law enforcement authorities and/or to the campus Public Safety/Security Department.
Any individual who has applied for or obtained a protective or restraining order which lists the premises of the Community Colleges as protected areas, must provide to the Human Resources office a copy of the petition and declaration used to seek the order, a copy of any temporary protective or restraining order that is granted, and a copy of any protective or restraining order that is made permanent. The sensitivity of the information requested is understood and colleges are responsible for treating such information in a manner that recognizes and respects the privacy of the reporting person.
Enforcement of this Policy
All reported incidents of violence will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately, including prompt evaluation, investigation and response. An individual who makes a substantial threat of violence or commits an act of violence as defined in this policy shall be removed from the premises. Any weapon or dangerous instrument will be confiscated and turned over to appropriate law enforcement/public safety authorities. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to such items on college premises.
Violations of this policy, including knowingly providing a false report, or failing to cooperate fully with an investigation, may lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment or expulsion from the college. Violations may also result in criminal penalties.
Threat Assessment Team
Each college will establish a Threat Assessment Team to oversee the implementation of this policy. The Threat Assessment Team should include representatives of management, human resources, employee unions, public safety, and facilities management.
One goal of the team approach is to ensure that people are prepared to work together to deal with violent or potentially violent situations. Although violence cannot always be prevented, planning ahead and being prepared to act swiftly to deal with threats, intimidation and other disruptive behavior at an early stage can reduce the risk. The Assessment Team has three major functions:
- Identifying the potential for violence. This involves analyzing trends in incidents relating to particular units, jobs, activities, time of day and so forth.
- Prevention. This includes recommending procedures to prevent violence, such as conducting violence prevention and response training for employees and students, establishing mechanisms for employees, students and others to discuss their concerns about violence, conducting inspections of college premises, evaluating working environments f employees and students to ascertain any unusual risks, conducting employee/student surveys, recommending changes in physical plant, equipment and practices to enhance campus safety.
- Responding to individual acts of violence. Incidents reported to the Human Resources office and/or the Public Safety department should be shared with the Threat Assessment Team which may advise and assist in the investigation if appropriate. The Team may also assist in the management of threats or incidents of violence by planning a response to mitigate further damage, coordinating responses with local law enforcement and the community and managing media inquires
Publication of Policy on Violence Prevention and Response
This policy shall be distributed to all members of the college community and shall be posted prominently in areas where students, staff and guests may gather. The policy should also be included in orientation materials for new employees and students and published in college newsletters, catalogues, handbooks, as appropriate. The policy should be reissued once a year as a reminder of the importance of this issue in our community. Contractors, subcontractors, and vendors doing business with the college shall be advised that compliance with this policy is mandatory.
For further information on the subject of workplace violence, please consult the State of Connecticut Violence in the Workplace Policy & Procedures Manual for Human Resource Professionals, September 1999, which can be found on the Office of Policy & Management website at the following address: www.opm.state.ct.us/olr/wpv/wpv.htm
(Adopted December 20, 1999)
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