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Violence-Free College Policy

Policy Statement

The Board of Trustees of Delaware Technical Community College, through its President, Administration, Faculty and Staff, is committed to providing a safe, violence-free environment for the College Community. In furtherance of its opposition to violence in the College environment, it adopts this Delaware Technical Community College Violence-Free College Policy.

Prohibited Conduct

No type of violence will be tolerated on College property or in any place where College students or employees are engaged in College-related activity or in connection with any College-sponsored activity. College employees, students (including persons participating in any activity sponsored by the College) and visitors to the College (the "College Community") are directed not to engage in threatening or violent conduct or activities.

The conduct described below constitutes actions that are expressly prohibited on College property or in connection with College-sponsored activities. The list of prohibited activities is designed to provide examples and is not exclusive of other conduct that may constitute a violation of this Policy:

  • Causing or threatening to cause physical injury to another person
  • Making threatening, abusive or harassing remarks
  • Disorderly, aggressive or hostile behavior that creates a reasonable fear in another of injury or subjects another person to emotional distress; such conduct may include shouting, throwing or pushing objects, punching walls or slamming doors
  • Intentionally causing damage to College property or to the property of an employee, student or visitor to the College while on College property or in connection with a College-sponsored activity
  • Possession of a weapon or dangerous instrument or engaging in any other conduct in violation of the College Policy Prohibiting the Possession of Deadly Weapons, Dangerous Instruments or Devices
  • Committing violent or hostile acts motivated by, or related to, race, age, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, disability, marital status, sexual harassment or domestic relationships.

Procedures

I. Reporting Procedures

A. Immediate Threat Procedures

Members of the College Community who encounter an armed or otherwise dangerous person should not challenge or attempt to disarm the individual. In such an event, a person confronted by such an individual should proceed as follows:

If possible,

  • Remove yourself from danger

Otherwise,

  • Remain calm
  • Maintain eye contact
  • Talk to the individual
  • Cooperate as much as feasible
  • Notify law enforcement authorities first and then the Public Safety Office as soon as possible.

B. Potentially Dangerous Threat Procedures

Any potentially dangerous situation of which a member of the College Community becomes aware should immediately be reported to a Public Safety Office. If warranted, the Public Safety Office shall report the violation to the appropriate police authority and will also notify a Dean of Student Affairs (student violation) or a Human Resource Officer (employee violation), as applicable. The Dean of Student Affairs and/or the Human Resource Officer will inform the Campus Director of all reported incidents. Initial reports may be made anonymously to the Public Safety Office. All reported incidents will be investigated. Reports or incidents requiring confidentiality will be handled with due regard to privacy interests, and information will only be disclosed to others on a "need to know" basis. To the greatest extent feasible, the results of an investigation into a reported and or investigated incident will be provided to and discussed with all parties involved in such incidents. In compliance with the Delaware Technical Community College Crisis Management Policy, College officials will actively intervene at any indication of a possibly hostile or violent situation.

While it is not expected that members of the College Community be skilled at identifying potentially dangerous persons, it is expected that, through the exercise of good judgment, persons observing behavior that could signal a potentially dangerous situation or evidence a potentially violent person will report such an observation to the Public Safety Office. The Public Safety Office must notify a Dean of Student Affairs (student) or a Human Resource Officer (employee) of all reports.

In addition to the conduct identified in this Policy as prohibited conduct, potentially dangerous behavior or warning signs of a potentially violent person may include:

discussion of weapons or bringing weapons onto College property or property used for College-sponsored activities;

  • displaying overt signs of extreme stress, resentment, hostility, paranoia or anger;
  • intimidating, belligerent, harassing, bullying or threatening conduct;
  • sudden or significant deterioration in performance; displaying irrational or disproportionately inappropriate behavior.

All members of the College Community are responsible for notifying the Public Safety Office of any threats, witnessed or received. Even if no actual threat has been made, members of the College Community should report any conduct witnessed which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, appears threatening or violent, when the behavior is connected to or may be carried out in the College environment.

C. Domestic Violence Procedures

Domestic violence is a serious threat to affected individuals and the place where such individuals work or are engaged in other activities.

Members of the College Community who obtain a protective or restraining order that lists College or College-related property as an area to be protected by such order are asked to provide the relevant Public Safety Office with a copy of the order.

Employees may obtain information concerning services related to domestic violence from the Delaware State Personnel Offices and the College's Human Resource Offices. Students and employees may obtain information from the College's Counseling Offices.

II. Enforcement Procedures

Threats, threatening conduct, or any acts of aggression or violence will not be tolerated in the College environment. Any College employee or student who is determined to have committed an act prohibited by this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion and may be reported to law enforcement authorities. Disciplinary action shall be taken in cases of chargeable offenses under the provisions of applicable state law or comparable federal law; however, a conviction of the charged offense shall not be necessary to take action against the employee/student for violation of this Policy. The employee/student against whom such action is taken shall be entitled to the benefits of the procedures identified in the College Personnel Policy or Student Code of Conduct/College Policy for Student Rights & Student Responsibilities. Persons not subject to the College Personnel Policy or Student Code of Conduct/College Policy for Student Rights and Student Responsibilities who violate this Policy will be directed to leave the premises and may be reported to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution. Other legal remedies may also be invoked.

(Added Board of Trustees 9/17/03)