Threat Management Policy

Chapter 3015

Revised May 2, 2000, August 20, 2012, April 27, 2015, September 6, 2018, September 4, 2020, September 5, 2021, and May 6, 2026

Table of Contents

.010 Scope

This Policy applies to persons who are on campus or who are otherwise participating in university-sponsored programs and activities, such as employees, students, contractors, vendors, visitors and guests.

.020 Jurisdiction

This Policy covers conduct that occurs on campus or otherwise within the context of university-sponsored programs and activities, whether those are on campus or off campus. Conduct that occurs off campus and outside the context of university-sponsored programs and activities is covered by this policy to the extent such conduct presents a substantial risk of physical harm to person(s) on campus or in the context of a university-sponsored program or activity.

.030 Policy Statement

The safety and security of all Kansas State University employees, students, visitors and guests are very important. Threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence and any conduct that substantially disrupts another’s work performance or the university's ability to execute its mission are prohibited.

Retaliation against persons making reports or otherwise participating in this process in good faith also is prohibited.

.040 Threat Management Team

The Chair and membership of the Threat Management Team (“TMT”) are dependent upon the nature of the alleged conduct. All TMTs must include the below-designated Chair, a representative of the Kansas State University Police Department, and an attorney from the Office of General Counsel (as legal advisor). Other members of the TMT shall serve as deemed necessary by the Chair and may include subject matter experts from:

  • Academic college(s) of student(s) involved
  • Supervisory department(s) of employee(s) involved
  • Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education
  • Counseling and Psychological Services and/or Lafene Health Center
  • Division of Risk and Safety
  • Housing & Dining Services
  • Human Resources
  • International Student and Scholar Services
  • K-State Athletics
  • K-State Student Union
  • Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
  • Office of the Provost
  • Office of Student Support and Accountability
  • Student Access Center
  • Other University offices with relevant subject matter expertise

The Associate Vice President for Risk and Safety shall be notified of all reports reviewed under this Policy and may attend, or designate another Division of Risk and Safety administrator to attend, any meeting of the TMT.

A. Student Respondents

When the alleged conduct under review is attributed to a University student, the TMT shall be chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Student Support and Accountability or their designee.

B. Employee Respondents

When the alleged conduct under review is attributed to a University employee, the TMT shall be chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Talent Strategy and Engagement or their designee.

C. Other Respondents and Situations

When the alleged conduct under review is attributed to a person other than a University student or employee, the TMT shall be chaired by the Associate Vice President for Risk and Safety or their designee. When incidents involve a combination of employees, students, and/or visitors, the relevant Chairs shall each be members of the TMT, and the Associate Vice President for Risk and Safety or their designee shall determine which of such Chairs shall serve as the sole Acting Chair of the combined TMT.

.050 Investigation and Decision-Making Process

The TMT meets about potential violations of the policy to seek and obtain legal advice as it conducts an initial risk assessment and makes recommendations about how to mitigate any potential threat. The Chair of the TMT investigates and makes the decision about whether the Policy was violated and determines necessary actions to immediately and thereafter manage and alleviate any determined threat.

The procedural steps for the TMT proceedings, including but not limited to the appeal process, are incorporated by reference and made a part of this policy:

The university may take immediate risk mitigation steps as outlined in the above procedures.

.060 Potential Risk Management Measures

Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action and/or risk mitigation measures, as appropriate and applicable under the circumstances, and may include without limitation suspension or expulsion, dismissal, arrest, barring the person(s) from university-owned, -leased, or -controlled premises, barring the person(s) from participation in University programs and activities, termination of business relationships with an individual, and/or prosecution of the person(s), all as applicable. In cases alleging Title IX Sexual Harassment, as defined in PPM 3010, emergency removal measures will be considered if the university determines that an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual justifies removal.

In all cases, the chair will provide individuals notice and an opportunity to challenge any proposed risk mitigation measures before a decision is reached. If circumstances warrant, an individual may be removed prior to an opportunity for hearing. In such case, the individual will be provided notice of the decision to remove and the grounds therefor, and an opportunity to be heard immediately following the decision.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed as preventing the university from taking risk mitigation measures, or otherwise addressing a substantial disruption to a university campus, program or operations, that it deems necessary either for the continued business operations of the university or for the physical safety of persons and/or property on campus or in the context of university programs.

.070 Required Reporting of Threatening or Violent Conduct, Restraining Orders

All employees must notify the chair of the TMT of any threats that they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received when the conduct is covered by this policy. Employees must also report any behavior they have witnessed that they regard as threatening or violent when that behavior is job-related or might be carried out on university-owned, -leased, or -controlled property or in connection with university employment. Additionally, reports of concerning behavior may be submitted using the following form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?KansasStateUniv&layout_id=56.

Each employee and/or student who receives a protective or restraining order (often referred to as a Protection from Abuse or Protection from Stalking order) that lists university-owned, -leased, or -controlled premises as a protected area, or otherwise prohibits the employee or student from being within a certain proximity or near another university employee or student, is required to provide a copy of such order to the Chair of the TMT for students and/or employees, as the context requires, and to the K-State Police Department.

.080 Required Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse

All employees are required to report to the campus police and/or other appropriate law enforcement agencies any incidents of child sexual abuse, meaning those crimes defined in K.S.A. 21-5501, et seq. that relate to minors as victims that employees witness on the university's campus or at a university-sponsored event as required in PPM 3130.

.090 Questions

Questions about this policy pertaining to student issues should be directed to the Assistant Vice President for Student Support and Accountability, 785-532-6432. Questions about this policy pertaining to employee issues should be directed to the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Talent Strategy and Engagement, 785-532-6277. Other questions about this policy should be directed to the Associate Vice President for Risk and Safety, 785-532-6261.