CAMPUS SAFETY

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To provide for the safety of the University campus and its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Scope: This policy applies to the University campus wide.

Responsible Office: Campus and Facilities

Policy Statement: The University’s Police and Safety officers are assigned the responsibility of protecting the University’s property and insuring the safety of personnel on the campus and have the same authority and responsibilities as any other commissioned police officers. Officers will generally provide the following services: courtesy first aid service while waiting for an ambulance; escort service when an individual feels endangered in any way; service for minor vehicle problems on campus when waiver of liability is signed; and delivery of emergency messages.

Emergency blue phones are located throughout campus and when picked up, automatically communicate with University Police and Safety.

The campus community is urged to be aware and to report any suspicious behavior or possible criminal activity, or any unsafe conditions that may pose a threat to the safety and wellbeing of others, to University Police and Safety immediately.

In the event a situation arises, on or off campus that constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat to the University community a timely warning will be issued to the University community. The warnings are posted on the University web site. If the situation warrants, the notice will be sent through the University email system and other appropriate communication mechanisms in conformity with University’s communication protocols. Certain situations may trigger the University’s Emergency Operations Plan, which should be referred to in those situations for additional information and direction.

FIRE AND LIFE

The University shall comply with the State of Kansas Fire and Life Safety Codes as adopted by the Kansas State Fire Marshall’s Office and as amended. Compliance is intended to encourage safe working and living practices throughout the University to reduce the risk of injury to all persons and property on the University campus. Designated personnel will conduct inspections throughout the year with the goal to maintain and improve safety for building occupants and to reduce the number of violations identified by the Kansas State Fire Marshall’s Office.

The Director of Facilities shall have the authority to shut down an operation, cause events to be discontinued, or buildings evacuated when, in their opinion a severe danger to life, for injury, or loss of property may result if such action is not taken. The responsible authorities will be notified of the action taken, or impending action as soon as possible.

ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND MEDICAL INCIDENTS 

When someone on campus becomes seriously ill or has suffered a serious injury, individuals in the area are advised to call 911 immediately. Once emergency response personnel have been dispatched, University Police and Safety should be notified. Decisions to transport injured persons in a University patrol car will be made at the discretion of Police and Safety officers.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

The University is committed to providing employees, students and visitors with a safe and secure learning and work environment free from threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence or any related conduct and to preventing, deterring and responding appropriately to workplace violence. The University supports the State of Kansas Workplace Violence Policy, which applies to all faculty, staff and student employees of the University.

Actions which constitute threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence, or any related conduct which obstructs or interferes with another’s work performance or the University’s ability to carry out its mission will not be tolerated. Any person who makes threats, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts on University-owned or controlled property or events may be removed from the premises pending the outcome of an investigation.

Threats, threatening behavior, or other acts of violence occurring off University-owned or controlled property or events but directed at University employees, students or members of the public while conducting official University business or activities, is a violation of this policy. Off-site threats include, but are not limited to, threats made via the telephone, fax, electronic or conventional mail, or any other communication medium.

The University is committed to identify, investigate, assess, manage and attempt to resolve identified concerns and/or prevent and avoid any workplace violence, to the extent reasonably and practically possible. Investigations and reports pertaining to any threats will be kept confidential to the reasonable extent possible under law, but consistent with the need to conduct necessary investigations and take corrective action.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, imminent threats or situations of immediate concern should be directed to University Police and Safety or local, state or federal law enforcement, or dial 911 immediately.

Employees shall notify the Office of Human Resources of any threats which they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received. Employees should also report any behavior they have witnessed which they regard as threatening or violent when that behavior is job related or might be carried out on state-owned or controlled property or in connection with University employment. Such reports may be anonymous.

The University also encourages employees to bring their disputes or differences with other employees to the attention of their supervisors or the Office of Human Resources before the situation escalates into potential violence or behaviors contemplated by this policy.

Faculty, staff, or students who receive a protective or restraining order which lists University-owned or controlled premises as a protected area are required to provide University Police and Safety with a copy of such order.

Workplace Behavior Mitigation Team

The University’s Workplace Behavior Mitigation Team (WBMT) will investigate potential threats or acts of violence that involve employees and will recommend actions to immediately manage and alleviate any determined threat. The University’s WBMT includes representatives from:

• Human Resources (Chair)
• Vice President for Student Life
• Student Wellness
• General Counsel
• Others as needed and requested by Chair

The WBMT may consult with appropriate University officials, including but not limited to, University General Counsel, Vice Presidents, faculty members, and supervisors, concerning reports of threats or violence regardless of team membership. Allegations of retaliation and/or discrimination will be referred to the University’s Affirmative Action Officer for handling. Fraudulent or false information or reports will be referred to the immediate supervisor of the individual filing the false report.

Consultation Assessment Referral Education (CARE)

The Consultation Assessment Referral Education (CARE) Team will investigate potential violations of this policy that involves only students. The CARE Team includes representatives from:

• Dean of Students (Chair)
• Director of Student Wellness
• Director of Student Accessibility and Support Services
• Director of Residential Life
• Assistant Director of Student Success
• Other as needed and requested by Chair

The CARE team may consult with appropriate University officials, including but not limited to, University General Counsel, Vice Presidents, faculty members, supervisors, and students, concerning reports of threats, violence, or erratic or disturbing behavior regardless of team membership. Allegations of retaliation and/or discrimination will be referred to the Affirmative Action Officer for handling.

Retaliation

Retaliation for reporting violations of the foregoing policies or any University policy will lead to disciplinary action that may include suspension or expulsion, dismissal, bar from access, arrest and prosecution. In addition, if the source of retaliation is a member of the public, the response may also include barring the person(s) from state-owned or leased premises, termination of business relationships with that individual, and/or prosecution of the person(s) involved. Retaliation against any individual for reporting a concern in good faith or assisting in an investigation will not be tolerated. This policy also prohibits the filing of false claims or information about retaliation, which may be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion from the University and/or termination from employment.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Campus and Facilities.

[Campus and Facilities procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]