The University of Illinois at Springfield is committed to a safe and secure environment for its students, employees, guests, and visitors. Threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence against students, employees, visitors, guests, or other individuals by anyone on UIS property or related to university activities will not be tolerated. Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action which may include reprimand, suspension, dismissal, arrest, and prosecution.
Threats, threatening behavior or acts of violence are defined as any act or conduct that a reasonable person would perceive as threatening or violent. Examples include but are not limited to behavior that:
- Is physically assaultive
- Consists of a communicated or perceived threat to harm an individual or to endanger the safety of an individual
- Harms or destroys property
- Consists of a communicated or perceived threat to harm or destroy property
- Involves carrying or displaying weapons (except for duly authorized peace officers).
All employees who have been subjected to or witnessed threats or violence must report such incidents to appropriate campus personnel.
It is a violation of this policy to retaliate against a person for reporting threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence or for assisting, participating, or cooperating in an investigation of same. When retaliation is charged, the complaining party may use the grievance mechanism applicable to his/her employment status. Retaliation is a basis for disciplinary action or sanctions.
Procedures
Reporting a Crisis Incident
An Employee subject to or witnessing threats, threatening behavior or an act of violence that poses imminent danger to the safety of an individual shall immediately report the incident to Campus Police for assistance (206-7777).
Employees should not jeopardize their safety, or the safety of others, by attempting the removal of a person who is engaging in violent acts without the assistance of law enforcement personnel.
Reporting Other Incidents
Any employee who is subject to or witnesses threats, threatening behavior or an act of violence shall report the incident to his/her supervisor. This information should be reported regardless of the relationship between the individual who initiated the threatening or violent behavior and the person or persons who were the focus of that behavior.
If the supervisor believes the reported behavior poses an imminent danger to the safety of an individual, he/she shall call Campus Police (206-7777) for assistance or advice.
Mandatory Filing of Incident Report Form
Whenever a report is made, the employee, with the assistance of the supervisor if desired, shall fill out a Threat/Violent Incident Report form and file it with Campus Police within 48 hours of the incident.
Campus police will forward a copy of the Incident Report to the supervisor of the alleged aggressor for review and possible disciplinary action according to routine procedures. The supervisor shall notify his/her Division Head of the incident. If the alleged aggressor is a student, a copy of the Incident Report should be sent to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
Notice of Orders of Protection
All employees who have been granted an order of protection or restraining order which lists any UIS location as a protected area must provide a copy of the order to his/her supervisor. Any employee who has an order of protection or restraining order issued against him/her, which lists either any UIS location as a protected area or any UIS student or employee as the protected individual, must provide a copy of the order to his/her supervisor.
Although the University understands the sensitivity of the information requested and recognizes and respects the privacy of the reporting employees(s), supervisors shall obtain, when possible, a photograph and description of the potential perpetrator, license number of his/her vehicle, along with the type and color of the vehicle.
Supervisors will send the Order of Protection to the Chief of Campus Police. Supervisors may also provide this information to other employees who the supervisor determines has the need to be aware of the potential threat. Every effort shall be made to maintain confidentiality.
Victim Assistance/Referral
Brochures providing information on victim assistance are available at Brookens Library, Human Resources, Counseling Center, Women’s Center, Health Services, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Housing Commons, and Campus Police Department.
For reported incidents, Campus Police will provide information on referrals for victim assistance. If Campus Police have not been contacted with respect to an incident, the supervisor should make the information available.
Post-incident Management
After a reported incident of violence, Campus Police, the Supervisor, or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, as appropriate, shall ensure that other individuals who may have been affected by the incident, such as employees, students and witnesses, receive information about the availability of counseling services or referrals from the UIS Counseling Center.
Prosecution/Discipline Support
To discourage further incidents from occurring and to show support for victims of violence, supervisors and faculty should support discipline or prosecution efforts by making reasonable accommodations to schedules so employees or students may cooperate with investigations or attend hearings or court appearances.