Workplace Violence Prevention

Part 1. Policy Statement 

Saint Paul College is committed to civil behavior and mutual respect, and values an environment free from threats, intimidation and acts of violence. The College strictly prohibits and will not tolerate violence or intimidation of any type from any source. This includes intimidating or violent words or actions by employees, students or visitors.. The College will work to provide a safe workplace for its employees, students, and visitors. 

While on SPC premises or while on SPC business at other locations, each employee, student, or individual is obligated to act civilly, respectfully and professionally toward others and is prohibited from subjecting any other employee, student or individual to any violence, threat of violence, or harassment. 

Part 2. Applicability 

This policy applies to all levels and areas of college operations and programs, including classrooms, students, faculty, administrators, staff, visitors, volunteers, and all other persons. 

Part 3. Definitions and Examples 

“Violence is the abusive or unjust exercise of power, intimidation, harassment, and/or the threatened or actual use of force which results in or has a high likelihood of causing fear, injury, suffering, or death.” (Minnesota Violence Prevention Task Force, 1994) 

Behavior prohibited by this policy includes, but is not limited to name calling, obscene language and gestures, throwing objects, pushing, stalking, bullying, hazing, negative racial or sexual comments, acts of hate directed at another because of a personal characteristic, assaults, inappropriate touching, carrying weapons, ridiculing or showing disrespect for others, threats of violence, and all action intended to produce physical or emotional harm in another. 

The College hereby adopts and enforces, a policy of prohibiting possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons in the workplace, with exceptions given to those that have been issued a Permit to Carry firearms pursuant to Minnesota Statute §624.714 

Part 4. Penalties for Violating Policy 

SPC employees and students who violate this policy are subject to sanctions from the College and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as legal sanctions under local, state and federal law. 

Students 

Student found to have violated this policy may be disciplined according to the Student Conduct Policy as stated in the Student Handbook, and if appropriate, referred for  
prosecution. 

Employees 

Employees found to have violated this policy may be subject to discipline including oral and written reprimand, suspension, termination, and referral for prosecution. 

Visitors 

The College will respond promptly, including referral to law enforcement, if warranted, to any violence or threats of violence by visitors. 

Part 5. Responsibilities 

All persons covered by this policy: 

• Must respect the principles of freedom of speech/expression and academic freedom. 
• Must refrain from workplace violence and harassment. 
• Are encouraged to seek assistance to resolve individual personal issues that may lead to workplace violence and/or harassment. 
• Are encouraged to resolve issues informally and directly with the individual(s) involved whenever possible. 
• Are encouraged to report unresolved incidents of workplace violence or harassment to a supervisor or administrator. 

Supervisors, managers, directors, deans, and other administrators: 

• Upon report of an alleged violation of this policy, must take prompt action, which may include immediate action to insure the safety of employees, students, and visitors. 
• Must report criminal activity/behavior to local law enforcement – Saint Paul Police Department. This should normally be done with the assistance of the College Public Safety Office (651/846-1322) to insure appropriate documentation and follow-up. 

Reference: MS Sections 1.50 and 15.90  
Rev. 3.00 

The College is committed to ensuring the workplace provides for the safety, and reasonable protection from workplace violence, of employees, students, and visitors, all of whom will be treated with respect and dignity. That goal will be accomplished by these actions: 

The College will collect Crime Awareness information as per the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, Title II of Public Law 101-542, as amended, Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. This information will be prepared, published, and distributed to all students and employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment, upon request. 

A report on crimes that have occurred on the College campus, and at off campus facilities/satellite sites used by Saint Paul College is distributed annually on October 1st to all students and staff. The report is available for distribution to prospective students. Crime reports are also available at the college Public Safety Office and on the college’s web site. 

The College will attempt to limit violence from both external and internal sources by positively affecting the attitudes and behavior of employees, students, and visitors. Emphasis will be placed on treating all people with respect and dignity, and on maintaining a calm attitude and demeanor towards others. All College operations will be conducted in a fair, efficient, reliable, and understandable manner. All employees will be expected to promote positive behavior, and to lead by example in the zero tolerance of workplace violence. 

The College will not tolerate offensive, insulting, derogatory, hateful, threatening, or violent language or behavior among its employees, students, or visitors, including, but not limited to, such things as name-calling; heated arguments; obscene language or gestures; throwing things; harassment; pushing; stalking; insulting comments; bullying; hazing; unjust or unwarranted exercise of power; negative racial or sexual comments; assault; inappropriate touching; carrying weapons; disrespectful behavior; offensive and derogatory references to others; or any other form of language or behavior which intimidates, is offensive to, or manifests hostility toward another. 

All employees will be provided with training in how to deal with workplace-related threats and acts of violence. That training will focus on threat awareness; identifying, preventing, and de-escalating violence; appropriate responses to threats and acts of violence, and identification of resources which are available for use once a potential problem has been identified, or an incident has occurred. Assessment of additional training needs for employees will be made upon request by the area supervisor, and appropriate training programs will be developed and presented. Other training and information that foster a positive work environment, such as stress reduction, conflict  
management, and confronting and dealing with unacceptable behavior, will be made available. 

The College will encourage use of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), . While supervisors, union representatives, or family members may encourage employees to seek help from EAP, the decision to use the services is voluntary. Employees may also choose to seek assistance from private health services to deal with pressures, stress, emotional problems, or other personal issues which could, if ignored, lead to threats or acts of violence. 

It is the policy and practice of the College to value and respect individual differences among people. Harassment of any person in the workplace is strictly prohibited. Harassment can be any behavior which is unwelcome, personally offensive, insulting, or demeaning, when (a) submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly made as a term or condition of an individual’s employment, (b) submission to, or rejection of, such conduct is used as the basis for employment decision affecting such an individual, or (c) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Harassment and discrimination are serious concerns, incidents of which may, if not corrected, result in workplace violence. The Administration will treat reports of harassment and discrimination seriously; complaints will be promptly investigated, and, if necessary, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. 

Supervisors have a primary responsibility for ensuring a safe work environment. They are specifically empowered to take immediate action to resolve or stabilize a violent situation in the workplace, and to protect people from harm. Supervisors will ensure appropriate incident response resources are notified immediately when a threat is made or a violent incident occurs. They will also ensure appropriate disciplinary responses to workplace violence and aggression are made. 

All criminal actions occurring on campus shall be reported immediately to the Department of Public Safety, 651-846-1322, and the Dean of Student Success (or the lead administration in the absence of the Dean). All the reports should be presented in person, but under special circumstance are required for safety purposes, a written form or telephone interview will also be accepted. 

The Department of Public Safety personnel will respond by reporting the occurrence to the Saint Paul Police Department (or appropriate jurisdiction) in a timely manner following receipt of the information if the complainant requests criminal charges. In instances where the College is a victim of a crime, Public Safety personnel will act on behalf of the College and file a formal report with the Saint Paul Police Department. In the event that no Public Safety personnel are available, the individual reporting the occurrence is encouraged to contact or call the the Saint Paul Police Department at 651-291-1111. In an emergency, dial 9-911. 

Local campus personnel, other than Public Safety staff, should not put themselves in harm’s way or detain an individual during instances of criminal actions. Intervention by non- Public Safety staff is strictly voluntary. A report will be filed with the Department of Public Safety to include information on date, time, category and description of the occurrence, and persons witnessing and reporting the incident. If appropriate, Public Safety personnel will assist with contacting the Saint Paul Police Department to file a criminal report. 

Information concerning campus safety and security is presented at staff in-service sessions. Information to promote awareness of Crime Prevention tactics and to encourage students and staff to be responsible for their own security and the security of others is also presented annually. This may be accomplished through the use of video productions, brochures, speakers, or any other available resources. 

The College currently has several practices in place to prevent violence and crime on campus. These practices include the employment of Public Safety Officers, key control to limit building access, emergency evacuation procedures posted throughout the building, video surveillance, and an alarm system. Public Safety Officers are on duty from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends as needed. A video surveillance system is operational at all times and is continuously recording. Department of Public Safety personnel review video footage as necessary. If an incident is recorded, the footage is saved, stored, and retrievable. If requested, he footage may be turned over to local law enforcement authorities. During periods in which the building is completely locked, an alarm system is activated when it detects motion in the building. The alarm company contacts the police department. The police investigate and contact all identified key holders. 

Possession of Weapons and Firearms 

The possession of any dangerous weapon at the College by any person, other than official firearms carried by any local, state or federal law enforcement agent , is strictly prohibited. Per MN state statute 609.02 Subd. 6 “Dangerous weapon” means: 
 

Any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm, any combustible or flammable liquid or other device or instrumentality that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm, or any fire that is used to produce death or great bodily harm. As used in this subdivision, “flammable liquid” means any liquid having a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 pounds per square inch (absolute) at 100 degrees Fahrenheit but does not include intoxicating liquor as defined in section 340A.101. As used in this subdivision, “combustible liquid” is a liquid having a flash point at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Employees, students, and visitors are prohibited from possessing any dangerous weapon while on campus or at other off campus locations/satellite campus or College sponsored events, on or off campus. The category “dangerous weapon” includes, but is not limited to: any weapon which, per applicable law, is illegal to possess; any firearm, loaded or unloaded, assembled or disassembled, including pellet, “BB”, and stun guns (electronic incapacitation devices); replicate firearms, as defined in Minnesota Statute §609.713 (with exceptions for those who have a Permit to Carry pursuant to Minnesota Statute §624.714; knives, and other similar instruments, with a blade length of more than three inches, other than those normally present in the workplace for the specific purpose of food preparation and service; any “switchblade” knife; “brass knuckles,”  “metal Knuckles,” and similar weapons; bows, cross-bows, and arrows; explosives and explosive devices, including fireworks and incendiary devices; “throwing stars,” “numchucks,” clubs, saps, and any other item commonly used, or primarily intended for use as a weapon; any object that has been modified to serve as or has been employed as a dangerous weapon; or any other item considered in the professional judgment of the Department of Public Safety or the Dean of Student Success to be, or have the potential to be, a dangerous weapon. 

The College strives to create and maintain a work environment that is safe, caring and supportive, and will attempt to assist employees in positively resolving problems, losses, and/or other stressors that arise in their lives. 

Workplace safety is a priority at the College. Every attempt is made to comply with OSHA Safety standards. Safety instruction is included in the curriculum of specific programs; routine safety inspections are made throughout the building. Annual employee right-to-know training is provided for employees of the College. Employees, students, and visitors are required to comply with all safety regulations. Failure to comply with safety requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

The College strives to increase awareness about general issues of violence, to prepare employees to identify risk factors and to take action to reduce risks. The College will develop and implement procedures for dealing with critical incidents, i.e., any incident (a) involving an employee which results in death or substantial bodily harm to an employee or member of the public, (b) in which deadly force, as defined in Minnesota Statutes 609.066, Subdivision 1, is used by or against an employee, or (c) deemed serious enough by circumstances to warrant investigation and review. All critical incidents will be reported to the immediate supervisor and the Department of Public Safety (incidents involving students will also be reported to the Dean of Student Success), who will follow the reporting procedures for violent acts. The critical incidents procedures will also include appropriate responses, e.g., leave, counseling, relocation or reassignment. 

Copies of the policy and procedure will be on the College website and in the Human Resources Office. These documents will also be made available in alternative formats, if requested. Supervisors will be responsible for informing employees and enforcing compliance of the policy and procedure. The policy and procedure will be discussed at new employee orientation and all new employees will be provided with a copy of the policy and procedure. 

Employee Assistance 

The College will continue to provide information about the services available through the Employee Assistance Program to help employees deal with concerns and issues related to workplace or family violence. Training needs will be assessed and training sessions for supervisors and employees will be developed and presented. The College will work to further advance this procedure and will identify and address specific action items.