When should I call the police?

“You should call the campus police whenever you believe there is any threat of violence or other unlawful behavior-including a student’s refusal to leave a class after being told to do so. Any threat of violence should be taken seriously. Err on the side of caution and notify the police as soon as you can.”

Should I act immediately or wait for a pattern of misbehavior to occur?

“It’s often a mistake to assume disruptive behavior will stop on its own. A fundamental tenet of progressive discipline is to document and respond to “small” incidents sooner rather than later. Generally, teachers who state reasonable expectations early, and enforce them consistently, help students avoid the harsher consequences that flow from more serious infractions later.”

What about confidentiality?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not prohibit the sharing of personal observations and knowledge about a student or individual among campus officials when there is a legitimate concern related to campus safety.