Policy on Campus Behavior and Violence Prevention; Supersedes EM 02-116

From: Paul J. Zingg, President

Subject: Policy on Campus Behavior and Violence Prevention; Supersedes EM 02-116

California State University, Chico is committed to creating and maintaining an environment of civility and one that is free from violence for all members of the university community. Civility and mutual respect toward all members of the university community are intrinsic to the establishment of excellence in teaching and learning. They also contribute to the maintenance of a safe and productive workplace and overall healthy campus climate.

The university has zero tolerance for and prohibits violent acts, threats of violence against any member of the university community or property on, or off the university premises by an employee or person acting in the capacity as a representative or agent of the university if such violence or threat of violence affects the legitimate interests of the university.

It is the objective of the university to identify potentially violent situations as early as feasible to take steps to avoid escalation.

I. DEFINITIONS OF BEHAVIOR

This policy is intended to cover knowing or intentional behavior that a reasonable person would find objectionable and perceive as threatening, violent, or potentially violent and is work-related or arises out of a work relationship.

Objectionable behavior under this policy includes but is not limited to:

• Bullying – intentional intimidation or infliction of emotional distress, characterized by verbal abuse, derogatory remarks, insults and epithets, verbal and physical behavior that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating or humiliating; intentional sabotage of an employee’s work performance;

• Verbal fighting, screaming, yelling, use of profanity;

• Throwing, kicking, hitting, slamming or otherwise mistreating property or other items; and/or mistreating or damaging university property;

• Engaging in dangerous, threatening or unwanted horseplay or harassment;

• Engaging in threatening communications (i.e., telephone calls, text messages, emails or other forms of communication);

• Harassing surveillance or stalking of another;

• Threatening harm or harming another person, or any other action or conduct that implies the threat of bodily harm or harm to a person’s property, job, family, etc.;

• Impeding another person’s path or access, not allowing the other to pass, restricting one’s movement, exit, and/or entrance;

• Unwelcome or offensive grabbing, pinching or touching or threatening to touch another person in an unwanted way, whether sexually or otherwise;

• Physical fighting or challenging another person to physical confrontation;

• Striking, punching, slapping or threatening to do so, assaulting another person;

• Illegal possession, or illegal use or threat of use of a gun, knife or other weapon/s of any kind.

II. RESPONSIBILITY

All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for using safe practices, for following all university directives, policies, and procedures, and for assisting in maintaining a safe and secure campus environment. This includes the reporting of security risks and cooperating in any investigation that may result.

All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for creating and maintaining an environment of mutual respect, and non-violence. This includes reporting violent or potentially violent incidents or situations, threats and security risks, as well as cooperating in investigations. Retaliation against persons who report and/or cooperate in investigations is strictly prohibited.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring their employees are properly informed of the Policy on Campus Behavior and Campus Violence Prevention. Additionally managers and supervisors are tasked with:

• Recognizing and intervening early in situations likely to escalate;
• Ensuring training or coaching to employees whose performance is deficient in complying with work practices designed to promote a work place free from violence;
• Recognizing employees who perform work practices that promote a working and learning environment free from violence;
• Taking corrective measures and/or appropriate action against employees who violate this policy.

III. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND WHO TO CALL

Do not risk getting yourself hurt. Take action to COMMUNICATE!

Any university student, faculty, staff, administrator or third party who witnesses an act of violence or a potential act of violence should immediately call campus police at 530-898-5555 and/or 911.

Other potential emergency actions:

• If you have a panic alarm, activate it.

• If you have a department crisis plan, set it in motion and use your code word or password.

• Non-emergency incidents may include the following actions:

• If you believe a problem may exist in the future, discuss it with your supervisor or manager.
• If an issue or incident occurs immediately contact your supervisor or manager.

• If the issue or incident is with your supervisor or manager, discuss it with your department Dean or Vice President.

• Contact the Human Resources Service Center at 530-898-6771.

• Other available resources include: Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, Office of Academic Personnel, or your union representative.

IV. CAMPUS VIOLENCE CONSULTATION TEAM

The Campus Violence Consultation Team (CVCT) is charged with determining whether immediate action is warranted, whether or not an investigation is warranted and the appropriate party to conduct the investigation in response to potentially violent situations on the California State University, Chico campus, which involve students, staff, or faculty members collectively, individually, or any combination thereof.

Membership

The CVCT is coordinated and chaired by the President’s designee.

Members are three (3) of the following:

• Chief of University Police (or designee)
• Director of Labor Relations
• Director of Psychological Counseling
• Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the President
• Student Judicial Affairs Representative (if student related)

Other committee members may be identified by the core membership (above), on a per-case basis, dependent upon the circumstances of an incident and person(s) involved.

Responsibilities

When convened, the CVCT will conduct or assign someone to conduct an investigation to establish the facts. The CVCT will review the investigation report to determine if there is a violation of this policy. The CVCT will prepare a report which will be given to the Vice-Provost of Academic Personnel, the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and/or the Director of Student Judicial Affairs for follow-up.

The CVCT will ensure that initial and closing communication to the victim occurs.

If the Campus Labor Relations Council has a concern regarding the policy or process, upon request, a representative of the CVCT may meet with a Campus Labor Relations Council representative to discuss.

The Chair of the committee will be responsible for providing an annual report to the President. The report will contain the number and the nature of events addressed by the CVCT. If appropriate, the report shall address training needs and may contain other recommendations.

V. COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING

Training and information on campus violence and safe practices will be available in the following venues:

• New employee orientation;
• New student orientation;
• On-line training.

Training will focus on the recognition of risk indicators and appropriate responses if confronted with bullying and/or violent action.

Other training may be made available as appropriate.

VI. DISCIPLINE, EXPULSION AND PROSECUTION

The university will work to prevent violence from occurring and will enforce federal and state laws as well as university regulations prohibiting violence and threats of violence.

Violent acts or threats of violence by any university employee or student are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment, expulsion from the university, and civil or criminal prosecution, as appropriate. Disciplinary action shall be conducted in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements or other appropriate university policies.

In addition, the University Police Department will review any violations of law, and a criminal complaint may be filed with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office. The filing of false and malicious complaints may also be grounds for disciplinary action. Nothing in this policy alters any other reporting obligations established in university policies or in applicable law.

No person who files a complaint, testifies, assists, or participates in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing, shall be retaliated against through intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination by any other person within the university community. Such behavior shall be grounds for disciplinary action.

VII. OUR COMMITMENT

California State University, Chico is committed to creating and maintaining an environment of mutual respect that is free from violence for all members of the university community.

Office of the President

California State University, Chico

Kendall Hall, Room 105

Phone: 530-898-5201

Fax: 530-898-5077