POLICY OWNERS

This policy is jointly owned by the Vice President for University Operations and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY

Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing an environment for all members of the CSU community, that is conducive to learning, working and living at CSU. Violence impedes such goals and endangers the entire community; therefore, any type of violent behavior, as described in this policy is prohibited on all university property and while participating in any University activity.

APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY

This policy applies to all persons while on university property or who are participating in any University program, activity or event. Students who violate this policy are subject to the CSU Student Conduct Code.  Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

It is the responsibility of all persons covered by this policy to know and follow it.

DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS POLICY

Threat means a statement, physical action, or repeated conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to be in fear for their safety or the safety of their immediate family or of someone with whom the person has or has had a continuing relationship. Including, but not limited to, a statement of intention to inflict pain, injury, damage or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done. 

Violence or violent behavior means any act or threat of causing physical harm to a person or animal or damage to property. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Fighting or physical assault, to include hitting, kicking, pushing, shoving, biting, throwing objects or use of a weapon against another;
• Stalking or relationship violence which includes dating violence and domestic violence (as defined in the university policy Title IX Sexual Harassment);
• Intentionally destroying or defacing property as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person;
• Engaging in verbal or physical behavior that creates a reasonable, objective fear of injury to another;
• Threatening to injure an individual or group or to damage property;
• Brandishing a weapon or making threats that one will go and get a weapon;
• Exhibiting rage or being out of control as exemplified by yelling, screaming, or throwing objects in a dangerous manner.

POLICY STATEMENT

Colorado State University strives to maintain an environment free of intimidating, threatening, or violent behavior.  Violent behavior and related conduct that threatens personal safety or seriously disrupts the learning, working and living environment or the University's ability to execute its mission will not be tolerated. Anyone covered by this policy who engages in violence will be subject to discipline, exclusion from campus and/or criminal prosecution.

POLICY PROVISIONS

1.  Each member of the CSU community is responsible for reporting acts or threats of violence that they witness or of which they have knowledge. When violence is imminent or occurring, the report should be made by calling 911 to reach CSU Police (CSUPD) or the local law enforcement authority. After any emergency report, and in non-emergencies, incidents shall be reported to the Office of Support and Safety Assessment.

2.  Reported incidents of threats and violence will be reviewed by  CSUPD and/or the Office of Support and Safety Assessment. The Office of Support and Safety Assessment will determine when incidents warrant investigation and further review, and whether they should be referred for action to another University department or division, including at the unit level, and may be and referred to the Student Consultation Team or Employee Consultation Team, as appropriate. Members of the University community shall cooperate with the investigatory process. In certain instances, the Office of Support and Safety Assessment may impose interim measures for the duration of the review process including, but not limited to, campus exclusion. For more information about the review process, please contact Support and Safety Assessment.

3.  Bullying in the Workplace

The University is committed to maintaining an environment that is conducive to working and learning, and the University prohibits bullying, as described in the University’s separate Bullying in the Workplace policy.

4.  Stalking and Relationship Violence

The University understands that incidents of stalking and relationship violence can intrude upon or impact the workplace and the campus community. These include, but are not limited to, incidents of domestic violence and dating violence. When this conduct occurs, the University will take reasonable action to protect the safety and well-being of the University community, as well as to provide necessary resources to those who are victims of interpersonal violence.

University employees who are victims of relationship violence outside the workplace are encouraged to report the incident or situation to law enforcement authorities and the Office of Support and Safety Assessment. Employees are also encouraged to utilize the Employee Assistance Program for support. Employees are encouraged to notify the Office of Support and Safety Assessment if they are a protected party to a protection order so personal and workplace safety can be reviewed.

See the University’s policy Title IX Sexual Harassment for more information about stalking and relationship violence. 

5.  Freedom of Speech in the Workplace

The University values and promotes freedom of expression and inquiry in a nonviolent manner.  Please refer to the CSU Policy on Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly.  Nothing in this policy is intended to limit or restrict a person’s First Amendment rights or rights to academic freedom; however, such rights do not include the right to engage in threats or violence. 

6.  Retaliation

The University will not tolerate retaliation against those making good faith reports as provided for in this policy, even where the concerns are ultimately unsubstantiated, and such retaliation is a violation of this policy that may be grounds for disciplinary action.

False reports of prohibited behavior that are found to have been made intentionally are a violation of this policy and may also result in disciplinary action.

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

Any person who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action under applicable University policies and procedures, up to and including termination from the University, exclusion from university property, and arrest and prosecution under criminal laws.

Any visitor or affiliate who commits or threatens to commit behavior prohibited by this policy may be subject to exclusion from campus, termination of any business relationship with the University and/or other appropriate action, up to and including arrest and prosecution.

This policy is not intended to preclude or supersede any other policy that might subject a violating party to disciplinary review, including but not limited to the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy, Bullying in the Workplace policy, the Colorado State University Student Conduct Code, the Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual, and Human Resources or departmental conduct policies.

Compliance assistance is available from the Office of Support and Safety Assessment.

REFERENCES

CSU Policy: Title IX Sexual Harassment
Student Conduct Code 

Colorado Governor’s Executive Order D 023 09, Establishing a Policy to Address Workplace Violence, including Domestic Violence Affecting the Workplace

CSU Policy: Bullying in the Workplace

Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual sections D.9.c, E.14, E.15.
CSU Human Resources Manual

APPROVALS

Approved Aug. 13, 1996

Revision approved by Anthony A. Frank, President, Oct. 27, 2015

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on December 1, 2021