University Civility, Mutual Respect and Violence policy
Potential Warning Signs
Personal Conduct to Minimize Violence
If You Feel at Risk or Threatened by Someone

University Civility, Mutual Respect and Violence policy

As members of the Northwestern community, faculty, staff, and students are expected to deal with each other with respect and consideration. Each community member is expected to treat other members with civility, recognizing that disagreement and informed debate are valued in an academic community. Demeaning, intimidating, threatening, or violent behaviors that affect the ability to learn, work, or live in the University environment depart from the standard for civility and respect. These behaviors have no place in an academic community.

Violence and Safety

Violence is behavior that causes harm to a person or damage to property or causes fear for one's safety or the safety of others. Examples include physical contact that is harmful and expression of intent to cause physical harm. Such behavior is unacceptable at Northwestern.

Weapons of any kind are prohibited on campus except for those carried by sworn police officers.

Anyone who is involved in or witnesses behavior on campus that poses imminent danger should immediately contact University Police. In situations that do not involve imminent danger or for advice on the appropriate course of action, notify a supervisor, department head, or staff member in the Division of Student Affairs. Alternatively, you may report the incident to the Office of the Provost, the Department of Human Resources, or the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Guidance for identifying potentially threatening or violent behavior, and for the best ways to deal with incidents, can be found at www.northwestern.edu/hr/policies.

Persons who have obtained restraining or personal protection orders are encouraged to provide a copy of the order to University Police for enforcement on campus. Noncompliant behavior will lead to removal from the campus. Anyone who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, which may include separation of the offending party from the University, consistent with established disciplinary procedures. Visitors, vendors, and family members are expected to comply with the provisions of this policy.

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Potential Warning Signs

A potentially violent person may display various combinations of signs. Most are progressive in that they become more pronounced over time. The goal is for successful intervention at an early stage that can prevent an individual from acting on violent impulses. The provided examples vary in level of severity and intensity. However, it is recommended that your decision to take action be based on whether or not you feel threatened or in danger.

Behaviors That May Be Potential Warning Signs

• Verbal, nonverbal, or written threats of intimidation, explicit or subtle, direct or veiled threats.
• Displays of unwarranted anger.
• Indications of marked mood swings.
• Violence toward inanimate objects.
• Fascination with weaponry and/or acts of violence.
• Expression of a plan to hurt self/others.
• Unwarranted or extreme expressions of distrust or persecution.
• Reactions of fear toward an employee that are shared among coworkers/clients.
• Frequent interpersonal conflicts.
• Sabotaging of projects or equipment.
• Holding a grudge against a specific person; verbalizing a hope that something will happen to him/her.
• Irrational beliefs and ideas.
• Externalization of blame.
• Unreciprocated romantic obsession.
• Drastic change in belief systems.
• Inappropriate or destructive behavior in response to significant life stress (i.e. divorce, death, job loss etc.).
• Strong external reactions to criticism.
• Intoxication from alcohol or other substances.
• Distressing or concerning expressions of hopelessness or heightened anxiety.
• Lack of concern for the safety of others.
• Physical reactions - e.g. clenching of fists, red in face, pacing, etc.

(Source: College and University Personnel Association¡s Campus Violence Sourcebook of Policies in Colleges and Universities)

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Personal Conduct to Minimize Violence

Please make your personal safety the top priority. No two situations are exactly alike. Use discretion on how to act depending on individual circumstances. If you cannot exit a situation for any reason, the following behaviors may be helpful to de-escalate a situation.

• Calmly excuse yourself from a situation which appears threatening.
• Position yourself so that a visitor cannot block your access to an exit.
• Avoid physically touching an outraged person or trying to force him / her to leave.
• Move away from any object, such as scissors or heavy objects, which could be employed as a weapon.
• Calmly ask the person to place any weapons in a neutral location while you talk with him or her.
• Never attempt to disarm or accept a weapon from the person in question. Only the police should attempt weapon retrieval.
• Project calmness; move and speak slowly, quietly and confidently to reduce the momentum of the situation. Raising your own voice may increase the anxiety of the potentially violent person.
• Keep it simple.
• Be a good listener; encourage the other person to talk and listen patiently. Let the person know that you will help them within your ability to do so or you will send for additional help. Never challenge, try to bargain, or make promises you cannot keep.
• Focus your attention on the other person to demonstrate your interest in what he/she has to say.
• Maintain a relaxed yet attentive posture and position yourself at an angle rather than directly in front of the other person. Avoid challenging body language such as placing hands on your hips, moving toward the person, or staring directly at them. If seated, remain in your chair and do not turn your back to the individual.
• Acknowledge the person's feelings. Indicate that you can see he or she is upset. Neither agree with distorted statements, nor attempt to argue. Avoid defensive statements. This is not the time to place blame on the enraged person.
• Ask for small specific favors such as asking the person to come back when they feel calmer or to move to a less public, quiet area, if appropriate.
• Establish ground rules if unreasonable behavior persists. Calmly describe the consequences of any violent behavior.
• Use a delaying tactic that will give the person time to calm down. For example, offer a drink of water (in a disposable cup).
• Be reassuring and point out choices. Break big problems into smaller, more manageable problems. Identify and deal with specific issues.
• Accept criticism in a professional manner.
• Ask for the person's recommendations. Repeat back to the person what you feel the person is requesting of you.

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If You Feel at Risk or Threatened by Someone

• Don't blame yourself.
• Remember that institutional violence is against university policy and may be against the law.
• Review your rights under this policy.
• Keep written and dated record of events.
• Tell someone.
• Get help.
• Take immediate action.
• You have a right to bring forth concerns without fear of retaliation.

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