Dangerous or Disruptive Individuals

Occasionally, individuals will appear on campus who seem dangerous or threatening, or who are disruptive.

It is difficult to generalize about these situations, but here are some guidelines:

1. Faculty and staff should try to calm the situation before calling Security.  The arrival of people in uniform can sometimes escalate matters unnecessarily.
   
2. Preventative measures are always best.  If a staff member believes a person may become dangerous, he or she should notify the Dean’s office.  The Dean’s office will determine the best response.  We have access to psychological counseling and we have a Crisis Intervention Team that can be assembled if appropriate.  There are also established procedures such as the Code of Student Conduct that can be applied if necessary.
   
3. Of course, if you feel you or others are in immediate danger, call Security.  Security can escort the person(s) off campus or enlist the help of the State Highway Patrol or City Police.
4. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department regularly sends lists of convicted sex offenders who live in the vicinity of educational institutions.  We then determine whether or not any of these individuals are students at OSU-M or NC State.  These persons are not necessarily dangerous, and we can’t dismiss them from either institution unless they violate our Code of Student Conduct.

If a student is disruptive in class, threatens or inflicts bodily or emotional harm, damages or threatens to damage property, engages in sexual harassment or otherwise violates the law or University rules/policies, so as to interfere with University activities or classes, formal disciplinary procedures should be invoked by the Office of Student Affairs.  Detailed information can be found in the OSU Code of Student Conduct (http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_csc.asp).

At the time the student acts out, if the situation is not severe, you should call upon the student to cease the unacceptable behavior.  If the disruptive or inappropriate behavior continues, notify Campus Security that their presence is required.  If the disruptive or inappropriate behavior is deemed to be severe, contact 911 immediately.  When in doubt about how to respond, contact Campus Security and they will determine whether to contact 911.

You are strongly encouraged to document the incident in writing, to provide a complete description of the incident, and report the incident as quickly a possible to the Chief Student Affairs Officer.  Campus Security will prepare a written Incident Report and obtain Voluntary Statements during incidents requiring their involvement.   

Detection and prevention are important to managing potential disruption and misconduct.  Changes in student actions and deteriorating behavior may be symptoms of a greater underlying problem.   Concerns should be reported to Chief Student Affairs Officer.