Behavioral Threat Assessment Team Policy

University Policy 301.7

1. Introduction

Appalachian State University is committed to providing a safe and secure campus environment for all members of the University community through the use of a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (“BTAT”). BTAT is a multidisciplinary team responsible for conducting threat assessments and addressing concerning, dangerous, or threatening behavior that impacts campus. BTAT is also responsible for providing guidance and best practices for preventing violence and providing supportive services.

This policy sets forth expectations for creating and maintaining an educational and work environment free from threats and violent behaviors.

2. Statement of Policy

Appalachian State University promotes a safe and secure environment to learn and work by prohibiting Threats and acts of Violent Behavior by or against members of the University community, including, but not limited to, the following:

Workplace Violence, as defined in University Policy 602.32;
Violations of the Code of Student Conduct;
Discrimination and Harassment, as covered in University Policy 110.

Individuals who engage in Threats or Violent Behavior may be disciplined under the policies applicable to their status with the University, trespassed or otherwise restricted from accessing Appalachian State University people or property, and/or subject to applicable laws and criminal action. Nothing in this Policy supersedes or amends the University’s disciplinary proceedings where applicable. Additionally, this Policy is in compliance with UNC Policy Manual 1300.7[R] and incorporates this regulation herein by reference.

3. Scope

This Policy applies to all University community members, including faculty, SHRA and EPS employees, and students, as well as non-University community members whose behaviors may affect the safety of the University community.

4. Definitions

Imminent Threat is defined as a reasonable belief that there is an immediate probability of an act or consequence that could result in serious bodily harm or death.
Threat is defined as an expression of intent to cause physical harm to a person or to cause damage to the property of others or the University. A threat may be direct, indirect, conditional, or veiled. An expression constitutes a Threat without regard to whether the party communicating the Threat has the present ability to carry it out and without regard to whether the expression is conditioned upon certain circumstances, events, or conditions.
Violent Behavior is defined as a broad range of behaviors (irrespective of perceived harm or severity) that may affect the Appalachian State campus or the workplace and that generate reasonable concerns for personal safety or that are reasonably likely to result in physical injury to persons or animals. Violent Behavior includes but is not limited to, aggressive acts, interpersonal violence, physical attacks, or Threats as defined herein.

5. Procedures

A. Reports

In order to address incidents of Threats and/or Violent Behavior and contribute to a safe campus environment, members of the University community are encouraged to report any and all potential, imminent, or actual Threats or Violent Behavior by employees, former employees, students, former students, vendors, visitors, and guests.

Imminent Threats (immediate concern about safety, security, or health): Individuals should contact Appalachian State Police and Public Safety or call 911 immediately.
Non-Imminent Threats: Individuals are encouraged to make a report via email at [email protected] or call App State PD non-emergency number at 828-262-2150.

Reports will be promptly reviewed and assessed. All reports will be handled as privately as possible, with information released only on a need-to-know basis or as required by law. This may require contacting the reporting individual for additional information.

The University may provide guidance and resources regarding safety planning to anyone who submits a report or otherwise raises concerns about a Threat or act of Violent Behavior.

Retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, submits a report is prohibited. Any act of retaliation may be considered an instance of unacceptable behavior and may subject the individual to appropriate disciplinary, related administrative, and/or criminal action.

B. University Response to Reports

Reports are initially screened and managed by the Appalachian State Police Department.

1. Preliminary Assessment

Once a report is received by the Appalachian State Police Department, a preliminary assessment is conducted in coordination with campus departments and/or local agencies. The preliminary assessment consists of reviewing the information provided in the report and may include gathering additional information (e.g., criminal background, trespass information, online and social media activity, open-source material, and conducting collateral interviews) to assist with understanding the totality of the circumstances. The preliminary assessment may consider any information deemed relevant to protect the safety of the campus community, including information regarding behavior on and off campus.

If a preliminary assessment concludes there is no reason to believe a potential, imminent, or actual Threat or Violent Behavior may exist, the threat assessment case is closed. Nothing prevents a threat assessment case from being reopened upon receipt of additional information.

2. Threat Assessment and Management Plan

If a preliminary assessment concludes there is reason to believe a potential, imminent, or actual Threat or Violent Behavior may exist, the information gathered during the preliminary assessment is used to create a threat assessment and management plan with the appropriate members of the BTAT. The goal of the threat assessment and management plan is to promote the continued safety of the individuals involved and promote a safe educational environment for students and a work environment for employees. The preliminary assessment, threat assessment and management plan are periodically reviewed to reassess the continued need and appropriateness of interventions.

Each threat assessment and management plan are individualized for the specific incident, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

interim actions, as outlined in Section V.C.2.
an investigation, including the utilization of the opinions and reports from other University personnel or outside independent professionals, such as physicians and licensed psychologists or psychiatrists.
reasoned risk analysis and threat assessment techniques and tools.
recommendations for supportive intervention services.
ongoing case management and/or monitoring; and/or
protective withdrawals/removals with timeframes and conditions for return to the campus/workplace.

In coordination with campus offices and in accordance with applicable policies, it may be necessary during an investigation to:

implement interim administrative measures (e.g., reassignment of duties or office, residential housing relocation, adjustment of courses, no contact orders) for an employee or student;
request and/or require an employee or student to undergo a medical, psychological, threat, or other assessment to determine any risk of violence in the University community;
remove a student or employee from campus until the investigation is concluded consistent with the interim actions described in Section V.C.2.

In some cases, individuals may be issued a No Trespass Order by the Appalachian State Police Department.

In the event it is determined that the reported behavior or action is not isolated and could endanger the University community, a campus-wide AppState-ALERT may be issued, with appropriate measures taken to promote the safety of the University community. Emergency alert procedures are outlined on the Emergency Preparedness website.

C. Responsibilities

General Oversight
1. Coordinator of Threat Assessment and Management (“Coordinator”)
  Appalachian State University Police Chief or designee is the Coordinator of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team. The Coordinator is responsible for receiving and managing threat assessment reports when they relate to an unaffiliated individual or when elevated by a primary campus office. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that preliminary threat assessments are completed and, as warranted, managing and coordinating threat assessment and management plans.
2. Behavioral Threat Assessment Team
  The mission of the University’s multidisciplinary team is to promote a safe and secure campus environment by providing effective threat assessment and recommendations for case management. The purpose of this team is to assess and manage students and employees of concern who may pose a Threat and/or engage in acts of Violent Behavior. These cases may require various intervention strategies, including immediate actions to be taken with regard to the individual of concern, other involved parties, or the broader University community.
  
  Members of the team are appointed annually by the Chancellor. The team is chaired by the Coordinator or designee, and a representative from the Office of General Counsel serves as the advisor. A subset of members from the team are responsible for managing cases of Imminent Threat. The team may consult with or invite other experts on a case-by-case basis as needed. Team members are subject to annual training requirements, which are tracked by the chair. The team is composed of the following members.
  1. Dean of Students or designee
  2. Director of Counseling and Psychological Services or designee
  3. Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources or designee
  4. Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education or designee
  5. Executive Director of Access & Equity
  6. Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police or designee
  7. Captain of Public Safety or designee
  8. Director of University Housing
  9. Director of Counseling for Faculty and Staff
Interim Actions
In most cases, interim actions are made and issued by the following individuals or their designees:
1. For cases that involve students, the Dean of Students shall determine interim actions.
2. For cases that involve non-faculty employees, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources shall determine interim actions.
3. For cases that involve faculty members, the Provost shall determine interim actions.
4. For cases that involve all other individuals, the Appalachian State Chief of Police shall determine interim actions.
Each interim action includes an opportunity to challenge the decision. Any appeal required under UNC Policy Manual 1300.7[R] shall be made in writing to the Chancellor.

D. Relationship to Law Enforcement and Related Criminal Investigations

When Threats or Violent Behavior also potentially constitute violations of criminal laws, Appalachian State Police and Public Safety and/or other local law enforcement agencies with primary jurisdiction may take the lead role in coordinating and conducting investigations and preparing cases for prosecution, as deemed appropriate by the local District Attorney and University officials. A pending criminal investigation should not delay the relevant University threat assessment and management processes from moving forward.

E. Impacted Persons

Appalachian State offers available and reasonable support to University community members affected by Threats or Violent Behavior. Support may include providing reasonable accommodations, granting leave, and/or referring individuals to appropriate University and/or community resources, such as counseling services, health care facilities, law enforcement, legal aid, shelters, and victim advocacy groups.

F. Records

Records related to threat assessment and management are private to the extent permitted by law. The University will maintain pertinent records related to each case in accordance with the UNC System Records Retention Schedule. Access to these records is governed by applicable state and federal laws.

6. Other Rights and Obligations

Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted to infringe on rights protected by other laws and policies, including but not limited to the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, academic freedom, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

7. Additional References

8. Authority

9. Administrative Unit Contact

Appalachian State Police Department
828-262-2150

History

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2025