Violence on campus

Normandale Community College will strive to ensure an educational and employment environment that is free of violence. The college will respond promptly, positively, and aggressively to deal with threats or acts of violence. Responses will include timely involvement of law enforcement agencies when appropriate.

Goals
It is the goal of Normandale Community College to achieve a workplace environment which is free from threats and acts of violence. The college will try to maintain a safe workplace for all employees, students, customers, and visitors to the college. Each individual with whom we come into contact in our work will be treated with respect and dignity. We will attempt to reduce the negative consequences of violence for those employees or students who are victims of violence.

Authority
Minnesota Statue 15.86 Chapter 452; (SF #1985) - (April 10, 1992) (Zero Tolerance of Workplace Violence); MS 609.66 (Dangerous Weapons) Governor's Directive; January 1, 1993, requires each state agency to create and implement a Workplace Violence Policy and Plan.

Compliance responsibility delegated to the Department of Employee Relations in 1995.

Definition
Violence is the abusive or unjust exercise of power, intimidation, harassment and/or the threatened or actual use of force which results in or has a high likelihood of causing hurt, fear, suffering or death.

Workplace violence generally falls into three categories:

1. A violent act or threat (perceived or real) by a current or former employee, supervisor or manager, or someone who has some involvement with a current or former employee.
2. A violent act or threat (perceived or real) by a student or someone else visiting the campus.
3. A violent act be someone totally unrelated to the work environment. The purpose of the visit is to commit a criminal act.

Consequences
Acts of work related violence are unacceptable. Such acts will be investigated and, where substantiated, may be cause for disciplinary action, including dismissal of employees or students. The college will support criminal prosecution of those who threaten or commit work-related violence against its employees, students, guests and contractors. This policy applies to threats made or violent acts occurring on Normandale Community College property and at Normandale Community College sponsored events.

Recourse
Any individual who believes s/he has been, or may be, a target of violence, as defined above should contact either Campus Security (832-6877) or local law enforcement (911).

Non-Retaliation/False Charges
Any individual, acting in good faith, who reports threats of real or implied violent behavior will not be subject to retaliation or harassmenRetaliation or harassment will not be tolerated and perpetrators of such actions may be subject to discipline. An individual report of violence which is found to be false and not reported in good faith will be subject to college disciplinary action or prosecution.

Restrictions
Possession, use or threat of use of a deadly weapon (Appendix A) is not permitted at work or in any college building, unless such weapon is a necessary and approved requirement of the person's position.

The following exceptions apply:

1. Legal rifles, pistols, shotguns and knives with blades in excess of three inches (3"), may be stored in a secured area under the supervision of the Office of Safety & Security.
2. Equipment, including but not limited to foils, epees, sabers, machetes, martial arts weapons, and unsharpened practice swords may be possessed on campus while participating in clubs of classes recognized by the college.e  When not being used at a club or class activity, the equipment must be kept in the classroom or club storage area or the advisor's office.
3. Knives and blades exceeding three inches may be possessed on campus when required to perform course work. When not being used in class, the knives must be kept in a locked storage area.
4. Employees and organizations contracting with the college and required to use knives with blades greater than three inches to perform their job duties may do so. Those knives must be kept in a limited access area when not in use.
5. Firearms used for theatrical purposes must be disabled and stored with the faculty advisor/director when not being used in practice or during a production.
6. Swords, daggers and other knifelike theatrical props may be used for theatrical presentations. Any props with cutting surfaces must have all those surfaces dulled and be stored with the faculty advisor/director when not being used in practice or during a production.

On the infrequent occasions where a presentation or display involves dangerous weapons, as defined in Appendix A, the prior approval of the Director of Safety & Security must be obtained.

Appendix A -
DANGEROUS WEAPONS
For the purpose of this policy, the following items are considered to be dangerous weapons:

• any weapon which, per applicable law, is illegal to possess
• any firearms, loaded or unloaded, assembled or disassembled, including pellet, "BB," and stun guns (electronic incapacitation devices)
• replicate firearms, as defined in Minnesota Statute 609.713
• knives (and other similar instruments) with a blade length of more than three inches, other than those present in the workplace for the specific purpose of food preparation and service
• any switchblade knife
• brass knuckles, metal knuckles, and similar weapons
• bows, cross-bows and arrows
• explosives and explosive devices, including fireworks and incendiary devices
• throwing stars, nunchaku, clubs, saps, and any other item commonly used as, or primarily intended for use as, a weapon
• any object that has been modified to serve as, or has been employed as a dangerous weapon

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• Violence on campus