Frequently Asked Questions

 

Process and Details

 

Why does NC State need the office of Violence Prevention and Threat Management (VPTM)?

A good place to learn and to work starts with a safe place to learn and work. Unfortunately, we live in an era where violence and senseless attacks can occur in public places, including campuses, workplaces, retail centers, and houses of worship. Although rare from a statistical standpoint, it is unrealistic to assume that any campus is completely immune from this possibility. The earlier that situations of concern are brought forward, the better for all involved parties.

Best practices in violence and harm prevention have evolved and are widely accepted. Like other institutions of higher learning, we take violence prevention very seriously. Our campus has the resources in place to investigate, evaluate, and respond to threatening behaviors and concerns about violence. Our Behavior Assessment Team – or BAT – and its multidisciplinary members are trained to identify, screen, evaluate, and respond appropriately to concerning situations brought to its attention. BAT members are professionals from different departments within NC State, including campus police, student conduct, OIED, human resources, housing, the counseling center, and several other departments. The university also retains experts who specialize in assessing and managing violence risk, these individuals are a part of the office of Violence Prevention and Threat Management (VPTM) within the Department of Risk Assessment.

Review our Campus/Workplace Violence Prevention and Management Regulation (REG 04.05.02) for more information.

What is the Behavior Assessment Team (BAT)?

Please review our Behavior Assessment Team page. 

What is CARES ?

Please review the Prevention Services NC State CARES page. 

What are the similarites and differences between BAT and CARES?

Both BAT and CARES are multidisciplinary teams that utilize an assessment and case management process. These teams are not disciplinary.  Our motto is “Two Teams: One Goal – Ensuring the Safety of Students and the Community.”

Violence Prevention and Threat Management/ BAT:

  • Works with Students, Employees and Non-Affiliated individuals
  • Focuses on situations that pose, or may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our campus community.

Prevention Services/ CARES:

  • Only works with students
  • Focus is on students in distress who are exhibiting concerning or worrisome behavior and whose behavior does not indicate a direct threat of harm to the NC State community.  
  • CARES also works with students who may be experiencing any of the following: 
    • Academic issues
    • Housing concerns
    • Adjustment issues
    • Chronic mental health crisis
    • Substance abuse
    • Students missing classes
    • Sexual Assault
    • Disruptive classroom behavior (violence and potential danger not noted)
    • Missing students
    • Personal Loss
How does VPTM respond to emergencies?

If the situation is an emergency, call campus police at 919-515-3000 or local law enforcement at 911.

Violence Prevention and Threat Management operates during normal business hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Why should I share my concerns?

If you see something, say something. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. The first step is for you and any members of our campus community to contact our office, Violence Prevention and Threat Management, when concerning communications or behaviors are observed. These may include communicated threats of violence by any means, whether direct or veiled, unruly or clearly inappropriate frightening behaviors, evidence of firearms or other weapons on campus, and actual assaults. 

There are various motives and causes of violent acts, perhaps due to rejection, unbearable life stressors, or to bring attention to oneself or an issue. Very frequently these acts are preceded by “leakage” of intent in various ways. Thus, prevention depends on an informed and alert campus community whose members – when they “see something,” will “say something” – so that Violence Prevention and Threat Management and the BAT team can “do something,” ­– in a timely, deliberate and appropriate manner.

In summary, you are a vital part of keeping our campus safe.  Most of the violent tragedies we hear and learn about were preceded by “flashing yellow lights.” BAT is aware of the range of possible situations that must be addressed, in an objective and fair manner. Often it is a matter of getting someone help before it is too late. If you “see something, say something.” We cannot investigate situations of concern unless we know about them, and all of us must remember to treat the fellow members of our campus with respect at all times.

How do I share my concerns?

When submitting a Concerning Behavior Referral, please provide as much information as possible. 

What information should I share?
  • Nature of the incident
  • Involved parties
  • Observations
  • Known history – all known information is essential
  • Response to authority/limit setting
  • Other offices connected

In summarization, please add as much detail as possible regarding the situation and person of concern.

What happens after I share my concerns?

Review our What Happens Next page for more information. 

Will I be kept up to date on someone I refer?

When possible and if it is appropriate, the case manager may provide an update to the individual who shared their concerns on the actions that have been taken regarding the person of concern.

The amount of information that is able to be shared in any update is limited substantially by federal privacy laws.

I’m worried about how the individual will react when they learn I shared concerns about them, can you keep my name out of it?

Many people worry that the person of concern will over-react when they learn that they have been referred to VPTM or Prevention Services (perhaps by expressing anger).  

While Concerning Behavior Referrals can be submitted anonymously, we ask that you consider including your contact information. The case manager’s ability to respond to a situation regarding concerning behaviors can be limited due to an insufficient amount of information being provided. If you decide to submit a Concerning Behavior Referral, please provide as much information as possible. 

If you submit a report with your information included, your name can and likely will be left out of discussion (unless you and the case manager agree otherwise) if/when a case manager connects with the person of concern. You can add a note to your referral requesting your name be left out of any potential discussion with the person of concern as an extra precaution. 

What is the difference between a VPTM investigation versus a Student Conduct or Criminal investigation?

Violence Prevention and Threat Management assesses for risk of harm and is distinct from misconduct or criminal investigations. The protocols that exist for properly investigating and managing potential risks of harm on campuses have evolved over the past 35-plus years. Through case studies and research, a great deal has been learned about individuals who may pose a risk, as well as the interpersonal contexts that can contribute to or increase the likelihood of harm. This method is referred to as a “protective investigation” or “threat assessment and management,” and is not a judicial or disciplinary process. Although similar in some ways to investigations of misconduct, harassment, or crimes (which also may be ongoing), its goals differ.

 A threat assessment investigation assesses whether someone who may have made a threat or engaged in concerning conduct actually poses a threat of violence, or a threat of future violence. Various options are then considered to reduce any potential harm. The steps to assess and respond to threats of harm is a rational and objective process. It is based on the collective knowledge of the risk factors known to be associated with violence, especially the factors relevant in interpersonal and organizational contexts. Circumstances are often unfolding. Many scenarios are resolved in a relatively short time period. Others may take longer as relevant information is further developed. Monitoring and changing strategies are often necessary. There are many instances with positive outcomes, which are often quietly resolved.

For example, if any actual risk was averted, or BAT and the VPTM case manager assessed that an individual of concern did not actually pose a risk of harm, in spite of concerning behaviors appropriately brought forward. No risk or very low risk situations are often referred to other appropriate resources.

 

Faculty and Staff

 

Will the information I share with the case manager about myself or another employee be kept confidential?

Under state personnel law (N.C. Gen. Stat. 126-22, employment-related or personal information gathered by the employer is part of an employee’s personnel file and is maintained as confidential. Confidential personnel information may be disclosed or accessed under the law in certain limited circumstances (see N.C. Gen. Stat. 126-24).

In addition, there may be other authorized individuals (i.e., members of the Behavior Assessment Team or others at the university) with whom certain information may be shared as part of an appropriate function within the university. Accordingly, complete confidentiality may not be guaranteed. However, the case manager will not share any personnel file information to any unauthorized individual. In addition, under N.C. Gen. Stat. 126-27, any public official or employee who commits an unauthorized disclosure of confidential personnel information protected by law shall be subject to penalty for a misdemeanor.

Read more from General Counsel on Personnel Files and Public, Non-Public and Confidential Information.

 

Faculty and Staff Questions Regarding Students

 

I have a student who is being very disruptive during class – can I have them removed from my section?

While some classroom disruptions can be signs of a student in distress, many are simply acts of acting out or disrespect that do not indicate a higher level of concern. Common examples include arriving late to class, inappropriate comments or questions, and interrupting the lecture or discussion. By sharing your concerns with the student in a private setting, you’ll have an opportunity to assess whether the student would benefit from additional support. To learn more from Student Conduct about how to deal with classroom disruptions (including information on when a student may be removed from class), click here.

I already referred a student to the Counseling Center, should I still submit a referral online or over the phone to share my concerns?

Yes. Although the VPTM Case Managers maintain very close relationships with the Counseling Center and other campus resources, your referral will do two things: First, you are enhancing the odds that the student will maintain a connection with the resource provided (e.g. the student is less likely to show up once and then leave); and second, you ensure that your information is connected with other referrals submitted for the student so that those working with the student have a fuller picture of the issues involved. The best way to think about submitting the referral is as a way to document that you connected the student with a certain resource.

 

Parents and Guardians

 

Will I be notified when someone expresses a concern about my student?

Student records (including reports of concern) are protected by a set of federal laws and regulations known as FERPA. As a result, in most cases, parents will not be notified at the point where an individual raises an initial concern about the student. Despite this, the case managers work hard in many cases to involve parents by seeking permission from the student to make contact with the parent. During a conversation with a parent, the case manager is interested in learning more about the student while sharing resources that may be available to the parent and student going forward.

How will I get access to my student’s records?

In most cases, parents are prevented from receiving access to their student’s records unless the student has signed a release of information. Parents and students can obtain a copy of the release by contacting one of the VPTM Case Managers.