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Concerning Behavior & Psychological Crisis

Department of Public Safety

Disruptive Behavior

Communications (verbal or written) or actions which prevent or significantly impair effective workplace or classroom activities, but do not threaten personal safety.

Harassing Behavior

Unwanted, unwelcome and uninvited behavior threatens, intimidates, demeans, alarms, annoys, or puts a person in fear for their safety.

Threatening Behavior

An expressed or implied imminent threat to harm an individual(s) which causes a reasonable fear that personal harm is about to occur.

Psychological Crisis / Suicide Threat

An individual who is in an abnormal state of mind that may result in imminent harm to himself/herself or others, such as a state of extreme anger, panic or depression.

Action Guidelines

In response to Disruptive Behavior

  • Consider discussing your concerns with the individual.
  • Document exactly what you are concerned with, what you witnessed or heard, read, etc.
  • Keep evidence that supports your concern.
  • Notify University Officials:

In Response to Harassing /Threatening Behavior

  • Decide whether it is best to evacuate, shelter-in-place, or avoid area.
  • If possible, signal to someone that you need help.
  • Do not interact with other person(s) unless as a last resort for personal safety.
    • Do not engage in conversation or arguments.
    • Do not attempt to physically detain anyone.
  • Listen/ watch attentively.
  • Document or try to remember as much as possible:
    • Write physical descriptions of individuals (clothing, physique, accent, etc.) and vehicles (make, model, color, license plate, etc.).
    • Write what is happening, noting actions, locations and items.
  • If important property, data or research is threatened, secure the most high value resources as best as possible, if it is safe to do so.

In Response to Psychological Crisis/Suicide Threat

  • Take all threats seriously.
  • Monitor the person making the threats from a safe distance.
  • Do not try to approach or reason with the person making threats.
  • Call 911.
  • Stay in a safe area until police arrive.
  • Provide information to emergency responders.