The University of Texas at Austin is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is free from threatening and violent behavior. Such behavior while on University-owned or University-controlled property, or while engaged in official University business, will not be tolerated. The University encourages students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors to promptly report any emergency or crime to University Police (UTPD). The University will respond promptly, positively, and aggressively to deal with threatening and violent behavior.

I. General Policy Guidelines

Scope

This policy applies to the conduct of any person on University premises or at University-sponsored activities, including faculty, students, staff, visitors, or contractors while on University-owned or University-controlled property, or while engaged in official University business.
Definitions

Violent behavior includes any behavior, whether intentional or reckless, which results in bodily injury to another person and/or damage to property.

Threatening behavior includes any behavior, whether intentional or reckless, that by its nature would be interpreted by a reasonable person as an intent to harm another person or damage property belonging to another. Threats may be oral, written, or communicated through conventional mail, electronic, fax, or telephonic means and may be direct or implied.

Campus violence encompasses threatening and violent behavior. Campus violence can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Physically assaulting a person, including slapping, hitting, punching, pushing, poking, or kicking; or physical threats to inflict physical harm
- Arson, sabotage, equipment vandalism, damaging or destroying property, throwing or hitting objects
- Displaying a weapon or an object which appears to be a weapon in a threatening manner; carrying a firearm of any kind onto University-owned or University-controlled property; or using a weapon to harm someone
- Using greater physical size/strength to intimidate another; intimidating or threatening gestures, bullying, or hazing
- Intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive language directed toward another person that communicates the intention to engage in violence against that person and leads a reasonable person to expect that violent behavior may occur
- Stalking another person
Campus Violence Prohibited
Any person who engages in campus violence while on University-owned or University-controlled property, or while engaged in official University business, may be removed and/or barred from the premises pending the outcome of an investigation.

II. Procedures

Reporting Immediate Emergencies or Crimes

Any individual who experiences, is aware of, or witnesses campus violence, or who has reason to suspect that campus violence is occurring, that may be of a criminal nature, or poses clear and present danger should immediately contact the University of Texas Police Department at 911.
Reporting Less Immediate Threats

Every supervisor, administrator, and University official is responsible for responding promptly and thoroughly to allegations of campus violence and reporting such behavior through normal lines of administrative responsibility, or the incident may be reported directly to one of the appropriate following offices.
- Incidents involving staff shall be directed to the associate vice president for human resources. The associate vice president for human resources will contact the appropriate officials and department personnel to address the potential campus violence.
- Incidents involving students shall be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students. The dean of students office will contact the appropriate officials and department personnel to address the potential campus violence.
- Incidents involving faculty should be directed to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The provost's office will contact the appropriate officials and department personnel to address the potential campus violence.
Protective or Restraining Orders

Any member of the University community who takes out a protective or restraining order against another person, or receives a protective or restraining order which lists University-owned or University-leased premises as a protected area, shall provide their supervisor and the University of Texas at Austin Police Department with a copy of such order along with a photograph of the person against whom the order has been issued when possible.
Sanctions

Individuals who violate this policy may be removed from campus, arrested, and be subject to legal action. University employees and students who violate this policy may also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Filing of False Reports

Any person who knowingly and intentionally files a false report shall be subject to disciplinary action that may include dismissal, expulsion, and/or legal action.
Documentation and Confidentiality

The University shall document the report and the investigation. Such documentation shall be retained by the University of Texas at Austin Police Department or the appropriate office listed in section II.B above. Subject to the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552, Texas Government Code, the University will maintain the confidentiality of the report and the identity of the reporting person during the investigation. The identity of the reporter and perpetrator may become apparent, or disclosed, as a result of the actions taken to resolve the investigation.
Retaliation Prohibited

A faculty, student, or staff member who retaliates in any way against an individual who has brought a complaint in good faith pursuant to this policy or participated in good faith in an investigation of such a complaint, is subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal.

For assistance: Questions regarding campus violence should be directed to Human Resource Services or the Office of the Dean of Students

Source: Revised Handbook of Operating Procedures, Policy 2.A.3

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General Information

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - The University
Chapter 2 - Admission
Chapter 3 - Registration, Fees, and Deposits
Chapter 4 - Academic Policies and Procedures
Chapter 5 - Student Affairs
Chapter 6 - Libraries and Other Academic Resources
Chapter 7 - The Texas Exes
Appendix A - Residency Regulations
Appendix B - Official Extracurricular Student Activities
Appendix C - Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities
Appendix D - Policy on Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Appendix E - Policy on Sexual Misconduct
Appendix F - Prohibition of Hazing
Appendix G - Policy on AIDS and HIV Infection
Appendix H - Prohibition of Sexual Assault
Appendix I - Nondiscrimination Policy
Appendix J - Prohibition of Campus Violence
Appendix K - Student Travel Policy for University-Organized or Sponsored Events
Appendix L - Student Travel Policy for Registered Student Organizations
Appendix M - Rules of Conduct for Students for Protecting the Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers
Appendix N - Use of E-mail for Official Correspondence to Students
Statistical Summaries

Related Information
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Office of Admissions

Office of the Registrar
University of Texas at Austin

17 August 2004. Office of the Registrar

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