UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON
MANUAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SECTION:
AREA:
Human Resources
Number: 02.04.0408.01
Employee RelationsGeneral Administration SUBJECT:
I.
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This document describes the University of Houston’s (university) position on violence and threats
of violence in university facilities and identifies university resources and programs to deal with
such eventualities. The explicit goals of this document and the programs it describes are to
protect people and property, reduce fear and stress, return maintain the workplace and classroom
to as a productive and safe environment, and establish a consistent process for responding to
violence or behavior of concern and managing incidents of violence or behavior of concern
threatened violence at the University of Houston.
This document also defines and describes the processes to be followed in responding to threats
of violence and managing incidents of threatened violence. It applies to all facilities of the
University of Houston and all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, and contractors who are on to
the university’s campus. This document also applies to incidents involving university employees
or students at other locations when they are participating in a university-sponsored activity.
Alleged incidents involving sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking as
defined in the Sexual Misconduct Policy will be handled in accordance with the Sexual
Misconduct Policy (SAM 01.D.08), as well as by the UH Department of Public Safety (UH DPS),
as appropriate.
II.
POLICY STATEMENT
The University of Houston seeks to provide a safe environment for learning and work. In pursuit
of that goal, university administration finds violence and threats of violence unacceptable. To
foster a safe and supportive working/learning environment, the university provides police services
and intervention, and -- where it is deemed appropriate -- counseling, training, and education
about violence and prevention of violence for employees and students. This document outlines
the mechanisms and offices through which these services are provided.[BJE1]
III.
DEFINITIONS
A.
Threat: Words and/or actions that create a reasonable perception that there is intent to physically harm persons or property.[BJE2] An intent and ability to inflict physical or other
harm on any person or self or on property. Threats may be oral, written, or physical
and typically fall into three categories: Direct, Conditional, or Veiled.



Direct - Threats against a specific target, sometimes describing methods for committing
violence.
Conditional - Threats that are contingent upon a certain set of circumstances (often uses the
"if" term).
Veiled - Threats that are vague and subject to multiple interpretations.
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 1 of 7
A.
B.
IV.
Violence: [BJE3]Exertion of physical force so as to injure, abuse, or damage
persons or property Violence and behaviors of concern: Includes, but is not
limited to, verbal or non-verbal behavior that can be construed as intimidating,
threatening or hostile, physical or verbal abuse, harassment, stalking, vandalism,
arson, sabotage, use of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons on university
property, the threat of any of the above, or any other act inconsistent with this
policy..
POLICY PROVISIONS
It is a violation of the law to touch another person in an unwelcome way with the intent to harm or to threaten to do so if one has the present ability to perform the act threatened. [BJE4]Threatening, intimidating, or assaulting of any person on campus university employees, students, or visitors by other employees, students, or visitors will not be tolerated.
A.
It is a violation of the law, and of this policy, to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause
physical harm to another person; to intentionally or knowingly threaten someone else with
physical injury, or to touch another person in a way the individual knew would be considered
offensive or provocative. [Penal Code 22.01]
A.B.
The University of Houston will not tolerate physical or non-physical acts of
violence or behaviors of concern. All alleged violations of this policy will be
promptly reviewed to determine whether further investigation is necessary.
B.
Firearms, illegal knives, clubs, and prohibited weapons are not allowed in or on university
property. It is a felony to possess firearms in or on university property.It is unlawful for a
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 2 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possess or go with a firearm, illegal knife,
club, or prohibited weapon (listed in Texas Penal Code § 46.05(a) as an explosive
weapon, machine gun, short-barrel firearm, firearm silencer, switchblade knife, knuckles,
armor-piercing ammunition, chemical dispensing device, and zip gun) on the physical
premises of the University of Houston. See Texas Penal Code § 46.03 and § 46.05(a).[BJE5]
This policy also prohibits all firearms and other weapons defined as prohibited by the
Texas Penal Code on property owned or occupied by the university, except as permitted
by Chapter 52, Subchapter G of the Texas Labor Code and Chapter 411, Subchapter H
of the Texas Government Code.
C.
University administration will provide police services and take other action, as appropriate,
to address campus violence and other behaviors of concern. University will also --where
appropriate-- will make counseling, direction, training, and education regarding violence,
threats of violence, and violence prevention available to managers, employees, and
students.
University offices and officials with primary roles in responding to matters of campus
violence in meeting these needs include:

Senior Vice President for Office of Academic Affairs and Provost
Dean of Students’ Office

Division of Student Affairs
Administration and Finance

University Advancement[BJE6]


Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Counseling and Psychological Services
(CAPS)

Office of the General Counsel

University of Houston Police DepartmentDepartment of Public Safety (UHPDUH
DPS)
D.To supplement and enhance the services of these university offices, the following work groups
shall will be created and available as needed to deal with threats and incidences of
violence at the universityThe following teams may coordinate the assessment of any
situation where there is a concern for risk of potential threat or violence and/or
provide additional assessment of situations to determine if further resources and
actions are needed.
Threat of Violence Advisory Team (TOVAT) Team: A team representing the
appropriate offices from those listed above that will convene quickly at the discretion of the
Chief of Police or designee to provide direction in response to acts or communications
constituting threats of violence. This team will determinemay assist in determining:
The existence of a serious threat
The scope of security required
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 3 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
DE.
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
-
The need for counseling and/or training
-
Recommendations concerning continued employment/enrollment
The need to involve other law enforcement agencies

Conduct Assessment and Response Team (CART): A team representing the
appropriate offices from those listed above, and others, that will convene
quickly in response to an incident report or other information presented
regarding students of concern, [MAPP 13.01.02][BJE7]

Campus Crisis Response Team: UHPD, individuals, and outside resources
working toward the safe resolution of a violent situation.

Trauma Resolution Team (TRT): A team directed by the assigned staff person
from the EAP CAPS to provide counsel referrals for counseling resources for
individuals who experiencefor trauma resulting from acts or threats of violence at
the university.
The Department of Public Safety should be kept informed of acts of violence and
potential violence at the university. Every employee or student who is contacted about or
has knowledge of a threat of violence or a violent act at the university or while on
university business should immediately contact UHPDthe Department of Public Safety.
,
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 4 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
who will respond in accordance with this document, as well as the Department of Public
Safety policies and procedures. The Department of Public Safety will promptly submit
incidents reports to the Dean of Students Office, as appropriate, in all cases involving
students.
In all cases, UHPD should be kept informed of acts of violence and potential violence at
the university.
EF.
V.
Violation of this document policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including
termination, expulsion from schoolthe university, being escourted off campus, being
issued a criminal trespass warning,and/or criminal charges.
PROCEDURES - GENERAL
The University of Houston responds to real, threatened and potential acts of violence or
behaviors of concern through the following means:

Protection: UHPD’s The Department of Public Safety’s objective is to provide a safe and
protected environment for people and property at the University of Houston. In addition
to law enforcement services, the department provides police escorts, surveillance,
vehicle assistance, and handicapped assistance to employees, students, and visitors;
crime prevention programs,; and money transfers.

Education and training: CAPS and/or Human Resources, in consultation with CART
and/or the TOVAT Team, as appropriate, will periodically provide training programs and
individual counseling to managers and supervisory personnelemployees, and students,
and to other employees on
violence-related subjects -- prevention of and response to violence and threats of
violence, stress management, and conflict resolution dealing with difficult people.

Prevention: The university services described herein in this document seek to prevent
acts of violence at the university through training and intervention.

Intervention and crisis management: Through CART and/or the TOVAT Team and
other task forces described herein, training, intervention, and crisis management
services are will be provided when threats or actual acts of violence or behaviors of
concern occur at the university.

Follow-up: The TRT will be available to provide support and counselto employees and
students following acts of violence at the university.

Investigations: Suspected criminal conduct prohibited by this policy will be investigated
by the UH Department of Public Safety. Conduct that may also be a violation of the
Sexual Misconduct Policy [SAM 01.D.08], will also be investigated by the Office of
Equal Opportunity Services. Human Resources will investigate matters
involving employees who are alleged to have committed violent acts or
engaged in behavior in violation of this policy. The Dean of Students
Office will investigate matters involving students who are alleged to have
committed violent acts or engaged in behavior in violation of this policy.
Investigations: Conduct prohibited by this policy where the conduct is potentially criminal in nature will be investigated by the UH Department of Public Safety (with exception of conduct that may be a
violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy [SAM 01.D.08], in which case the Department of Equal Opportunity Services will also investigate the matter). Conduct prohibited by this policy that is not July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 5 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
potentially criminal in nature and is not a potential violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy will be investigated by the Dean of Students’ Office for alleged improper acts by a student, and by Human Resources for alleged improper acts by a UH faculty or staff member. VI.


THREATS OF VIOLENCE
A.
Immediate threats or acts: A university employee, student, or visitor experiencing or
aware of a threat or act of violence should immediately contact UHPD the Department of
Public Safety by calling 911 or 713-743-3333, or, depending upon the urgency, the
UHPD Department of Public Safety’s regular number, 713-743-0600.
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 6 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
When inEven if in doubt about the urgency of the threat of violence, UHPD the
Department of Public Safety should still be contacted, and the Chief of Police or designee
will determine whether to immediately assemble the CART or TOVAT.
B.
Less immediate threats: When an manager or other employee or student is faced with or
aware of a situation in which a less immediate threat of violence may exist, the matter
should be referred immediately to the appropriate responsible office. It is always an
appropriate option to contact UHPDthe Department of Public Safety to ensure that the
matter is not an immediate threat., but in less immediate situations, the following offices
are also prepared to act as resources.
If the less immediate threat of violence involves:
-
Faculty -– Contact the Senior Vice President forOffice of Academic Affairs and
Provost
-
Staff -– Contact Assistant Vice President for Human Resources
-
Students -– Contact the Dean of Students and/or complete an online incident form.
-
Visitors - UHPD
Depending upon the situation involved, any of these offices may submit a request to the
Chief of Police or designee, who will determine whether CART or the convene the TOVAT
Team will be immediately assembled to address assess the problem.
C.
CARTTOVAT Team: When a department, employee, student or other individual has
information about student exhibiting concerning behavior, the matter can be reported
online (http://www.uh.edu/caps/crisis_intervention/cart.html) in an incident reporting
form. [BJE8]a department is faced with a potentially violent situation, this team of
representatives of keyfrom the departments (as definedlisted in this document)
functions as expert resources, analyzing the case from their respective areas of
expertise, and develops an action plan to address the situation. Types of potentially
violent situations might include domestic violence threats brought into the workplace;
threats of violence between employees, students, or employees and students; and
concerns over disciplinary action involving potentially violent employees or students.
This team will determinemay assist in determining:
-
The existence of a serious threat
-
The scope of security required
-
The need for counseling and/or training
-
Recommendations concerning continued employment/enrollment
The need to involve other law enforcement agencies
The TOVAT Team will treat all threats seriously and be guided by considerations such as
responding in a timely manner, respecting confidentiality, and involving key resources.
VII.
INCIDENTS SANCTIONS FOR THREATS and ACTS OF VIOLENCE and OTHER CONCERNING
BEHAVIOR AT THE UNIVERSITY
A.
Campus Crisis Response Team: In the event of an act of violence and the potential for
ongoing harm to either person or property, UHPD will be charged with providing
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 7 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
appropriate leadership to safely resolve the situation.
To plan for such an eventuality, UHPD shall establish a protocol for protecting and
communicating with the campus community and aiding in protecting their property.
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 8 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
UHPD shall also call upon resource persons and/or other law enforcement agencies with
expertise in dealing with the particular type of emergency involved. UHPD will act as
liaison with the Office of Internal Communications in such an event.
B.
TRT: This team is charged with providing needed services to deal with trauma resulting
from acts of violence, including trauma resulting from situations such as injuries or death
of a co-worker(s) or fellow student(s) resulting from violence on campus, assaults by nonuniversity persons, hostage-taking events, or fires or bombings.
An assigned staff member from the EAP/CAPS, who is responsible for establishing and
assembling the team and developing the team protocols, shall chair this team. The TRT
will include assigned representatives from the Student Health Service, Office of Internal
Communications, and UHPD. Depending upon the nature of the event, additional
members from any of the following offices may be added:
President’s Office
Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Dean of Students
Campus Ministry
General Counsel
Human Resources
Safety and Risk Management
Residential Life and Housing
Officials who have special responsibility for persons/places involved in the event
The team is charged with responding rapidly to the event, providing crisis intervention
and supportive counseling services, notifying family members where required, and
debriefing involved individuals.
VIII.SANCTIONS FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY
Violation of this document policy will result in sanctionsmay involve penalties, up to and including
termination of employment, expulsion from schoolthe university, and/or criminal charges. The
determination of the appropriate sanctionpenalty and the appeal of any sanctionpenalty will be
handled by the responsible office under the applicable policy (e.g., Dean of Students’ Office for
Students under the Student Handbook, Human Resources for UH Staff under applicable
MAPPs, and Office of Academic Affairs/Provost for UH faculty under the Faculty Handbook).,
with the appropriate involvement of UHPD and/or the Office of General Counsel, as necessary.
Visitors may be escorted off campus, barred from campus and any other campus in the University of
Houston System, and/or subject to criminal charges.
IXVIII. REVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITY
Responsible Party:
Assistant Associate Vice President for Human ResourcesFinance
Review:
Every three years, on or before April March 1
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 9 of 7
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
IX.
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
APPROVAL
Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance
President
Date of President’s Approval:
XI.
REFERENCES
Controlled Substance Act of Texas
Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act
Texas Penal Code §46.02 Unlawful Carrying of Weapons
Other provisions of the Texas Penal Code Sections 19, 20, 22, 29, 42, and 46 dealing with violent
acts, alcohol and drugs, and weapons
UH System Administrative Memorandum 01.C.04 - Reporting/Investigating Fraudulent Acts
Index Terms:
Threats of violence
Violence
REVISION LOG
Revision
Number
Approved
Date
Description of Changes
1
06/25/1997
Initial version (Original was a Policy and a Procedure, both
entitled “Violence In the Workplace”)
2
07/19/2000
Applied revised MAPP template to meet current documentation
standards. Combined Policy and Procedure into one document.
Removed UH Chief of Police as responsible party. Removed AVP
for Human Resources, UH Chief of Police, and SVP for Academic
Affairs from approval process
3
TBD
Applied revised MAPP template and added new Revision Log.
Changed MAPP number from 02.04.04 to 02.08.01. Changed
MAPP title to “Violence on Campus.” Removed references to
UHPD, and replaced with UH Department of Public Safety
throughout text. Added contractors to Section I. Added
information about Sexual Misconduct Policy in Section I.
Included “persons or property” to definition of “Violence” in
Section III.B. Revised Section IV.B with references on unlawful
possession using Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 and Section
46.05(a). Added Student Affairs, Administration and Finance,
and University Advancement to Section IV.C; removed Employee
Assistance Program. Rewrote Section IV.D, removing the
Campus Crisis Response Team (CCRT). Added criminal
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 10 of
Violence in the Workplaceon Campus
MAPP 02.04.0408.01
trespass warning and being escorted off campus to
Section IV.F. Added information on investigations, SAM 01.D.08,
and non-criminal investigations by the Dean of Students for
students and Human Resources for faculty and staff to Section V.
Updated UHPD phone number in Section VI.A. Removed
Section VII, Incidences of Violence. Added information about
visitors being escorted off campus in new Section VII. Added
information about Student Handbook, Applicable HR MAPPs, and
Faculty Handbook as references for determination of penalty for
students, employees, and faculty in Section VII. Changed
responsible party to AVP for Finance. Changed review period
from every three years on or before April 1st to every three years
on or before March 1st. Removed Section XI and Index Terms
July 20June 25, 1997; Revised July 13, 2000August 29, 2013
Page 11 of