BETA FAQs

UMB does not tolerate threats or acts of aggression or violence. Threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior is any behavior by a student, faculty, or staff member that is perceived by another as an act of aggression or violence or an indication that the person may commit such acts.

Examples include:

• Unwelcome, disparaging, excessively obscene, or other abusive language.
• Physically intimidating actions.
• Touching another person in an intimidating manner.
• Direct or indirect threats.
• Carrying a gun, firearm, or other weapon (see UMB Policy Prohibiting Weapons).
• Throwing objects.

While there is no proven method to predict when someone might become violent, an individual can exhibit behaviors that might precede violence. The following are warning signs that warrant attention and might require intervention and/or reporting.

When attempting to identify warning signs, it is important to consider other factors such as tone of voice and level of familiarity with the person as well as situational contexts. Considering the context in which warning signs occur may help show the level of risk and, in some cases, reveal that more proactive efforts are needed to prevent potential violence.

• Report the incident immediately to the UMB Police Department. 
• If needed, make an additional report to a BETA Team member or other campus resource such as the Student Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program.
• If you feel you are at risk of continued violent behavior, discuss with the appropriate school or department administrator, and/or Employee and Labor Relations, about options available for leave, class or work relocation, transportation to and from work or school, a new parking assignment, etc.

• Report the incident to the UMB Police Department immediately.

• If more assistance is needed, make an additional report to Employee and Labor Relations, the Employee Assistance Program, the Student Counseling Center, the Office of Academic Affairs, the appropriate school or department administrator, and/or a member of the BETA Team.

• It is your responsibility to report warning signs to the appropriate school or department administrators or to UMB staff who are trained in evaluating such behavior.
• Regardless of your professional training and experience, if you see warning signs, do not attempt to evaluate and respond without seeking assistance from UMB resources.
• Warning signs may require a report to the UMB Police Department depending on the number, frequency, and context.

• Reports of threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior at an off-campus site or by persons affiliated with an off-campus site are subject to this UMB policy to the extent practicable to protect University faculty, staff, and students. 
• UMB community members who are concerned that the behavior might lead to aggression or violence on campus or at an off-campus site must immediately make a report to the UMB Police Department. A report also should be made to the security or police unit in charge of the off-campus site.
• When violent behavior by personnel of a UMB affiliate is reported, the UMB Police Department will notify appropriate officials of the affiliate and seek cooperation to investigate and resolve the matter.

• The UMB Police Department and the BETA Team will meet to, if appropriate, conduct an assessment of the incident and develop a strategy and plan.
• A BETA Team member will be assigned to act as a liaison for the person who reported the incident and the appropriate school or department administrator.
• University faculty, students, or staff found responsible for threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior will be subject to appropriate administrative/disciplinary action up to and including expulsion for students, termination of employment for faculty and staff, and removal from UMB premises for volunteers and other guests.

• Encourage the individual to use the free and confidential services at the Student Counseling Center and through the Employee Assistance Program. If applicable, share that your experience using these services was positive.
• Offer to help make the initial contact by calling or going with the person to the Student Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program.
• Document in writing (with date and signature) that you made the referral.
• If the referral is to be mandatory, contact the appropriate school-based student affairs official or Human Resource Services.

• The University understands the sensitive and serious nature of such reports and will take reasonable precautions to protect victims of threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior and those reporting such behavior.
• While personally identifiable information gained by the University through a report is not confidential, reports and identities of involved University faculty, staff, and students will be shared with others only on a need-to-know basis, after an assessment of the severity of the matter, need for information, and time required to respond appropriately.
• University faculty, staff, and students will be shared with others only on a need-to-know basis after an assessment of the severity of the matter, the need for the information, and the time required to respond appropriately.