President's Directive No. 8

University Policy Regarding Violence in the Workplace

Pursuant to the university’s desire to maintain a safe environment for the campus community to conduct its business and fulfill its mission, and in views of the increase in violent incidents in workplaces across the nation, I issue this policy directive effective immediately. I am confident that it will clarify California State University, Fullerton’s position regarding potential threats to the campus community.

Vital to achieving the mission and goals of California State University, Fullerton, is and unwavering commitment to providing its faculty, staff, students and visitors an accessible, attractive and safe environment in which to learn, study and work.

Acts of violence and threats of violence severely impact the open dialog and free exchange of ideas intrinsic to higher education as well as the well-being of the campus community members. Therefore, the university has established a policy of zero tolerance for violence against members of the university community. Acts of violence and threats of violence towards persons or property will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors to the university.

The university will make an effort to address hazards associated with each type of workplace violence and ensure that it meets federal, state and local laws, as well as university and system regulations prohibiting violence will be taken seriously. All employees will be offered training on general and job-specific workplace security measures.

Faculty, staff, students and visitors are encouraged to immediately report acts of violence and threats of violence to their supervisor, a Dean, Vice President, Public Safety or Human Resources. Acts of Violence and threats of violence by faculty and staff may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. For students, such actions may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Criminal prosecution may result if federal, state, or local laws are violated.

Approved: September 18, 1996

Acknowledged by: Milton A. Gordon, President California State University, Fullerton

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From Faculty Affairs and Records:

Violence In The Workplace

Acts of violence and threats of violence severely impact the free exchange of ideas intrinsic to higher education and the the well-being of the campus community members. The University has established a policy of zero tolerance for violence against members of the university community. Acts of violence and threats of violence towards persons or property will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors to the university.

It is crucial that you report any violence--verbal or physical--to your Chair, Administrator, Vice President, University Police or Human Resources. Don’t ignore it. If the person actually commits the violence, the consequences can be devastating. You should not fear repercussions from reporting any incident. Information concerning warning signs, prevention of workplace violence, and guidelines for handling a potentially violent confrontation are contained in Directive Number Eight, University Policy Regarding Violence in the Workplace.

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Violent and Criminal Behavior

Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to all suspicious situations and by reporting them as outlined below.
If you are the victim or are involved in any on-campus violation of the law such as assault, robbery, theft, overt sexual behavior, etc. Notify University Police as soon as possible and supply them with the following information:

Nature of incident.
Campus location of incident.
Description of person(s) involved.
Description of property involved.

If you witness any on-campus violation of the law, immediately notify University Police or use a blue emergency phone and give them information outlined under number 3 above.
Assist University Police when they arrive, by supplying them with additional information and ask others to do the same.
University Police will conduct the required campus search and will evacuate areas as necessary. Follow their instructions.
Everyone is asked to report to their department office the existence of anyone loitering of soliciting on campus. These people may be asked to leave if they do not have either permission or a proper reason for being on campus. University Police are to be called if they refuse to leave when asked.
Use the following preventative measures to minimize the risk of violence in the workplace:

Careful and thoughtful management of people is the best tool to avoid incidents of workplace violence. Handle problems with and between employees quickly, fairly, and consistently.
Maintain open lines of communications with employees. Keep all employees informed of pertinent workplace issues. Conduct open meetings with staff when practical. Ask your employees for safety suggestions and implement them as soon as possible.
Lock doors that lead to non-public work areas. Only lock doors from the outside, so that emergency exits are not obstructed.
Design work areas so there is a secondary escape exit.
Provide out-placement referrals or services to employees if layoffs become necessary.
Coordinate all phases of the termination process through Human Resources. Improperly handled terminations can cause serious humiliation and anger.
Plan ahead and boost security prior to a visit from an individual who is a known threat.
Establish a code work/distress signal that can be used to convey the need to summon University Police Officers.
Take all threats of violence seriously. Watch for and document the "warning signs": unusual/suspicious behavior.

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