SOS – Supporting Our Students
Threat Assessment and Reporting
Purpose: To identify and intervene in
situations involving students who may exhibit
behaviors of concern.
Goals:
To balance the educational needs of the student and
the academic mission of the University,
To respond to each student’s unique needs,
To provide mechanism for effectively addressing
student’s behavior before it disrupts normal University
functions
What we have learned from Virginia Tech and
other similar situations
And how we can apply that information.
There is not a profile on who causes violence on a college
campus, but there are warning signs.
WHAT WE CAN DO ?
Learn to identify those warning signs such asChanges in behavior, frequent irritation or anger, isolating oneself, changes in
classroom performance to name a few
Respond to those warning signs – ask the person how they are doing, are they ok.
do this in a caring manner. Don’t threaten or act confrontationally.
Report instances of observed behaviors of concern.
Depressed, Withdrawn Change in mood, appearance or behavior, Intimidating, Verbally abusive, Obsessive, Paranoid
Abusing of alcohol or drugs, Making threats to harm self or others, Feeling wronged, unfairly treated, humiliated
Safety and security is everyone’s job. We all need to
contribute to keeping the campus safe. We all need to work
towards creating an environment in which people who are
experiencing problems can comfortably reach out to others
for help.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Act in ways that demonstrate to others that you care about them and the
university.
Be aware of university resources for support*
Report instances of intimidation, discrimination, harassment, bullying, ridicule
and violence.
Take a stand against bullying, discrimination, harassment and ridicule.
University Support Services
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Academic Advising
Counseling Center
Disability Resource Center
Employee Assistance Program
Equal Opportunity and
Diversity Office
• Financial Aid
• Housing and Residence Life
• Human Resources – Employee
and Labor Relations
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Interfaith Center
Lend-a-Wing Food Pantry
LGBT Resource Center
One Stop Student Services
Military and Veterans
Resource Center
Student Health Center
Student Ombudsman
Student Wellness Center
Women’s Center/Victim’s
Advocates
Students and employees who perpetrate violence often feel
angry, threatened, or fearful and that they have been treated
unfairly.
What can we do?
Take time to learn and understand the rules and make sure you implement them
consistently.
Understand and implement the concept of due process in all disciplinary matters
for both students, faculty and staff.
Take time to listen.
Respond in a non-judgmental manner addressing the individuals behavior, not
their character.
Serious misconduct is almost always foreshadowed by milder
forms of misconduct and other inappropriate behaviors.
What can we do?
Identify and respond to behavior or situations of concern. Changes in
behavior may be important – slipping grades, hygiene, etc. - Just ask, are
you ok? How are you doing? Remember - early is good and late is bad.
Report instances of behavioral change or odd behaviors.
The Aggression
Continuum
FROM BYRNES, J. (2002) BEFORE
CONFLICT: PREVENTING AGGRESSIVE
BEHAVIOR
Each of us, from our perspective, only sees a part of the
picture. Each small bit of information may by itself was not
particularly disturbing, but when you put it all together it
may create a picture that requires intervention.
What can we do?
Report, report, report! It is better to report something that is not a
problem than to not report something that turns out to be a big problem.
Earlier is better than later. Don’t wait for the problem to get too big to
handle.
What does SOS do?
Threat assessment and intervention
SOS is a cross- functional team that has been trained and works together
from different perspectives to assess and respond to threats.
The complete SOS team includes a faculty member, the chief of police, a
member of the counseling center staff, a member of legal counsel, a
member of student affairs staff, and the chair. Others are called in and
consulted as needed.
The focus of SOS is to offer help – not to punish.
Where do I report Disruptive Behavior?
• If the behavior causes concern or is minimally disruptive, report this
behavior to your department chair and also to SOS. You may also want to
refer to the Counseling Center or other resources that you believe may be
able to help the student.
• In many cases a person being minimally disruptive will respond to your
request to stop their behavior. Be calm, polite and respectful. Don’t take
what they are doing personally.
Where do I report Threatening Behavior?
• Threatening Behavior takes a number of forms. It may be harassing or
provoking, and though an indirect threat does not imply immediate
danger, it can be interpreted by a reasonable person as suggesting an
intent to cause physical or emotional harm in the future, as in, “You’ll be
sorry!”.
• A direct or credible threat identifies a specific target and is delivered in a
straightforward, clear and explicit manner. If you receive a direct threat,
call UPD!
• Report any incident of threatening behavior to UPD and SOS.
Where do I report Violent Behavior?
• Make sure you get yourself to a safe place.
• For violent incidents of threats of imminent violence call 9-1-1.
• If possible stay on the phone until the police arrive.
First step – information collection and assessment
What does SOS do?
Clarify the information we have been given
Attempt to determine if this is an isolated incident or a pattern of behavior
Look at behavior over time
Determine cause of behavior if possible
Second step – Determination of intervention
strategy (if needed)
What does SOS do?
A variety of options exist – the earlier the situation is addressed, typically
the more options there are for resolution
if needed, someone makes contact with the student and refers them to
the appropriate resources that may include counseling center, DRC,
conduct, student affairs, UPD, ombudsman’s office and others
Third step – Intervention (if needed)
The focus of SOS is to offer help – not to punish.
We seek to address the situation with the least possible disruption to the student
and to the university, always keeping in mind what is best for both.
Responses can range from nothing in the case where it is determined that what is
being perceived as odd behavior is has been taken out of context, referral to
counseling if the behavior is a relatively normal reaction to a stressor in the
individual’s life (financial problem, divorce, death in the family), referral to a
resource for on-going support for a chronic issue, referral to student conduct if
the behaviors are in violation of the student conduct code, to facilitating a
withdrawal from classes or from the university.
Fourth step – Closing the information loop.
The SOS relationship with the referred individual is based on trust,
discretion, and confidentiality and in many cases it is not possible or
ethical to report back to the person who initially filed a report.
We need to take into consideration FERPA, HIPPA and client-counselor
confidentiality in reporting back any actions we may have taken.
If it is possible to close the loop and report back to you what has
happened we will. In other cases we may just be able to say that the
situation was evaluated and responded to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report anonymously?
What types of behaviors should I report?
What do I do if I feel I am in immediate harm?
What number should I call?
Others?