130.00 CRISIS MANAGEMENT/ WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

The College shall establish a crisis management plan to deal with various crises which might threaten the resources of the College and the physical safety of students, employees, and the general public.

Such plans should address, without limit; natural disasters, fire, industrial accidents, criminal activities, workplace violence, and similar situations which require the orderly management of resources and processes to protect life and property. Each such plan shall provide for effective means of communication with students, employees, and the public.

In the development of such crisis management plans, the following underlying principles shall apply:

The protection of human life and health is of the utmost importance.

College property and other resources shall be protected and preserved wherever possible consistent with the primacy of human health and safety.

The College shall, whenever possible, assist federal, state and local governments, disaster management and relief agencies, etc., and may allocate facilities, equipment and personnel to assist in the event of natural disasters.

The College shall cooperate with federal, state, and local disaster management and law enforcement agencies with respect to any crisis occurring on College property and/or involving College personnel or students.

Plans should provide for coordinated efforts of appropriate campus or agency staff, such as physical plant, campus security, student affairs, health services, etc., and for the designation of a single individual as coordinator supported by a designated crisis management team.

The College attorney shall be consulted in cases where the legal responsibilities of the College are unclear.

The College has a policy of zero tolerance for violence. Employees who engage in any violence in the workplace, or threaten violence in the workplace, may be terminated immediately for cause. No talk of violence or joking about violence will be tolerated.

"Violence" includes physically harming another, shoving, pushing, harassing, intimidating, coercing, brandishing weapons, and threatening or talking of
engaging in those activities. It is the intent of this policy to ensure that everyone associated with this college, including students and employees, never feels threatened by any employee's actions or conduct.

Communications shall be from the President or his/her designee with respect to crises affecting the College.

The Crisis Management Team shall inform the President and the Clerk of the Board of any crisis that has occurred or that is threatening life, health, or
College property, and give periodic status reports as information is available. The Clerk of the Board shall, in turn, keep members of the Board of Trustees property informed.

Appropriate information shall be provided routinely to College employees and students to enable their cooperation in a potential crisis.

Adopted December 17, 2001
Reviewed July 21, 2003