Threat Assessment

Campus safety is enhanced through community members identifying behaviors of concern and reporting those concerns in a timely manner.  Early identification of such concerns allows the College to intervene and address behaviors that are threatening or disruptive to the learning, living and working environment of the College.

Reporting Imminent Threats

Reports of threats will be handled confidentially to the extent possible. For more information, see the emergency guidelines on the public safety website.
Violence prevention depends on you to notice and report potentially  threatening behaviors or situations.
Anyone who believes that an individual has committed or may commit an act of violence, or is engaging in threatening behavior, should immediately call the Office of Public Safety at(610)330-4444.

Reporting Potential Threats

If an individual exhibits behavior that is of concern to you, or you believe may pose a threat, please contact the Office of Public Safety at (610)330-5330.  This information will be shared with the Threat Assessment Team.
If you observe behavior of concern but are unsure whether the behavior constitutes a threat to self or others, you should report the information to the Office of Public Safety at (610)330-5330, to allow the College the opportunity to assess the situation and respond as needed.

Behaviors

Identifying and reporting behaviors that could pose a threat to the campus, or an individual, are critical to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and faculty. There are many behaviors and circumstances that may indicate that a person needs assistance.  Examples of behaviors that pose a risk include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Unusual or abrupt changes in behaviors or patterns;
• Extreme reaction to a loss or traumatic event;
• Preoccupation with weapons, violent events, or persons who have engaged in violent acts;
• Uncharacteristically poor performance;
• References to harming others or planning a violent or destructive event;
• Evidence of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts/plans;
• Inappropriate responses such as prolonged irritability, angry outbursts, or intense reactions;
• Strained interpersonal relations, isolating behaviors, or low self-esteem;
• Significant change in life circumstances such as loss of job or relationship.

Source: Marisa R. Randazzo, Ph.D., Ellen Plummer, Ph.D., November, 2009 (published with permission).
There are many behaviors and circumstances that may indicate an increasing risk for violence, significant disruption to others, or that a person is in need of assistance.  The significance of any one behavior or circumstance is often difficult to determine. Therefore, the threat assessment process is designed to review the situation in the context of all of the facts that can be known.

Threat Assessment Team – Membership and Mission

The Threat Assessment Team takes a collaborative, integrated, and thoughtful approach to prevent and manage situations that may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of the campus community. The team consists of representatives from the offices of Public Safety, Campus Life, Human Resources, as well as medical and mental health professionals, and legal counsel. The purpose of the Threat Assessment Team is to recommend early intervention so that individuals receive the assistance they need without disruption to the community.

The Threat Assessment Team meets regularly and when needed evaluates referrals and determines the best course of action for the situation. The Threat Assessment Team responds to behaviors exhibited by students, employees, visitors, and persons who are not affiliated with the College.  Activities may include:

• Reviewing reports;
• Coordinating appropriate intervention strategies;
• Pro-actively developing plans to manage situations that may arise on campus.

Campus safety is enhanced through community members identifying behaviors of concern and reporting the concerns in a timely manner. Early identification of concerns allows the team to intervene more effectively to address behaviors at an early stage in the hope of averting the threat and maintaining the safety of the community.