Students engage in a variety of behaviors from obvious and direct threats to clear
violations of law or policy to simple annoyances. Some behaviors may simply be physical
manifestations of a condition, and do not pose an actual threat. It is important to
understand what types of behaviors to refer to HEAT and to Student Conduct so that
an appropriate investigation and analysis can occur. Often behaviors may not be deemed
to constitute a credible threat of physical violence, but may still warrant an intervention
as a proactive measure before a person turns to violence. In order to assist the campus
in learning how to recognize indicators and respond/refer appropriately, the following
categories and examples are
provided as guidance:
The first category of behaviors or indicators consists of those that may indicate possible immediate or future violence and should be assessed by someone with appropriate training/experience. It is important to note that these behaviors or indicators may also be disruptive and may also make us feel uncomfortable, similar to the other categories described later. Threatening behaviors are those that reference or indicate violence towards self or others (either directly or indirectly). Examples of these kinds of behaviors include:
The second category of behaviors or indicators includes those that significantly affect the classroom, office, or general campus environment but may not necessarily appear to be a threat. Some of these behaviors may still warrant contacting the police. These also often evoke an emotional response in others. Examples of these kinds of behaviors include:
Finally, there are behaviors or indicators that may not be disruptive or concerning, but may still create discomfort in others. These behaviors can include physical manifestations of mental and psychological conditions, as well as behaviors that may simply be different among individuals. Examples include:
Developed by Laura Bennett
Last revised August 2014