Chapter 21. Public Safety

21.10. Threatening and Violent Behavior in the Workplace

Violent Behavior: Acts of violence include any physical action, whether intentional or reckless, that harms or threatens the safety of another individual in the workplace.

Threat of Violence: A threat of violence includes any behavior that by its very nature could be interpreted by a reasonable person, as an intent to cause physical or emotional harm to another individual.

Workplace: Workplace includes all University facilities and off-campus locations where faculty, staff, or student employees are engaged in University business.

This policy provides guidelines for responding to violence or threats of violence in the workplace.

Michigan Technological University is a diverse community that requires an environment of trust, openness, and physical safety where productive work, teaching, and learning can thrive. The University recognizes the necessity of protecting individual rights and encouraging free speech, but also recognizes that certain conduct can threaten the mutual respect that is the foundation of scholarly communities. This policy is intended to secure freedom of expression while maintaining the safe and cooperative environment that is vital to a university community.

This policy does not abrogate other policies, rights, and regulations set forth by the University. Further, federal and state laws and local ordinances will be enforced notwithstanding any provision of this policy.

At Michigan Technological University there is no place for threatening or violent behavior. Acts of violence include any physical action, whether intentional or reckless, that harms or threatens the safety of another individual in the work place. A threat of violence includes any behavior that, by its very nature, could be interpreted by a reasonable person as an intent to cause harm to another individual.

These behaviors by any member of the Michigan Technological University community are prohibited, and individuals engaging in these behaviors are subject to disciplinary procedures ranging from reprimand to termination or expulsion.

The policy shall be administered in accordance with procedures established by the provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs in consultation with the University Senate.

Any employee who believes a crime has been committed against them has the right to report it to the proper law enforcement agency.

If one of the parties is a non-employee, notify police immediately.

Any person on campus experiencing or observing imminent violence, does the following:

1. Call Public Safety at 7-2216 or the on-campus emergency number 1 2 3, or the director of the Human Resources Department (HRD) at 7-1737.