Workplace Violence on Campus

Policy Number: 8.2.88
Effective Date: September 12, 2023
Revision History: Reviewed May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Associate Vice President for Operations/Chief of Police

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

Georgia Gwinnett College is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment committed to the prevention of workplace violence on campus and the maintenance of a respectful work environment free from threats of violence and related harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behaviors.

II. Scope

This policy and these guidelines apply to workplace violence on campus, including domestic violence, which affects the campus work environment in any manner. College stakeholders, including but not limited to, faculty, staff, students, student employees, affiliates, contractors, and agents, are required to be familiar with this policy and are expected to practice the appropriate safety principles and standards. If anyone has an immediate safety concern in the campus environment, they should immediately contact the Office of Public Safety.

III. Definitions

Workplace violence on campus: Includes any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the campus work setting or related to a campus sponsored work function or event. Workplace violence ranges from offensive language to homicide and results in threatening situations occurring in or related to the workplace. When an issue is related to the job but the actual incident occurs away from the workplace, it is also workplace violence. An event can be an actual on-campus violent act, including but not limited to, threatening behavior or verbal abuse, physical assaults and threats of assault; or off-campus job-related incidents, e.g., stalking, telephone and e-mail harassment, threats, other confrontations or violent acts which are related to the campus work environment.

Domestic violence affecting the campus work environment: Encompasses physical violence, emotional and verbal abuse, isolation, or threats and intimidation which affect the campus work environment but stem from a domestic relationship, including but not limited to spouses, cohabitating individuals, and other relationships. Domestic violence victims and perpetrators of such acts in the campus work environment are included in the policy.

IV. Application

Georgia Gwinnett College will not tolerate any type of workplace violence on campus by or against faculty, staff, students, student employees, affiliates, contractors, agents, or guests. Violations of the workplace violence policy will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. To make deliberate false accusations of workplace violence violates this policy. In such instances, the complainant will be subject to disciplinary action. However, failure to prove a claim of workplace violence does not constitute proof of a false and/or malicious accusation.

V. Impact

Individuals who commit acts of workplace violence on campus may be removed from the campus and may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination, criminal penalties, or both. Corrective action for students involved in workplace violence on campus may also include dismissal from the College and denial of readmission, in addition to criminal penalties.
All reports of workplace violence on campus will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately, as noted below.
1. If an employee is the perpetrator in an incident of workplace violence on campus, there will be an initial investigation to determine if any change in the employee’s work status is required. Public Safety will be responsible for conducting criminal investigations and Human Resources will be responsible for conducting employee investigations. While the investigation is pending, it will be the responsibility of the responsible administrators, after consultation with the appropriate College officials (Human Resources, Office of Legal Affairs, and/or others as deemed necessary), to determine if it is necessary to take immediate personnel and administrative action to protect College faculty, staff, and students. The employee’s pay status during this period may also be affected, consistent with BOR and GGC policy.
2. If a student is the perpetrator of an incident involving workplace violence on campus, the matter may be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Public Safety will be responsible for conducting any criminal investigations.
3. If the matter is a dating or domestic violence incident, the Title IX Coordinator will also be notified and the matter will be handled in accordance with APM 4.1.7 Sexual Misconduct/Title IX Policy.

VI. Responsibilities

In furtherance of this policy, there are certain responsibilities related to the prohibited weapons on campus and other items, which must be adhered to as a condition of employment and/or enrollment at Georgia Gwinnett College. These prohibited practices are outlined in the Student Handbook and in the appropriate employee manuals.
These prohibitions include:
1. Use of any weapon, firearms, air gun, slingshot, zip gun, or any other device that propels a dangerous projectile of any kind, except as authorized by Georgia State Law.
2. Transporting or possession of privately owned firearms on campus in violation of current Georgia Law.
3. Carrying any firearm in violation of current Georgia Law. The only exception is for federal and/or civil law enforcement personnel engaged in their official duties.
4. Carrying in a concealed manner any straight razor, ice pick, knife, or homemade knife-like weapon having a blade length, when extended, of more than 2 inches as measured from the blade hilt to the blade tip.
5. Possession of any of the following:
  1. Any knife having a switchblade or automatic blade opener, blackjack, bolo knife, machete, sword, spear, or similar instrument.
  2. Any club-type hand weapon, i.e., -brass knuckles, -knucks, -knucklers, or any other hand-held weapon.
  3. Pyrotechnics of any type, such as firecrackers, Molotov cocktails, smoke grenades, or artillery simulators, except when authorized by the President.
  4. Any martial arts weapons or equipment, including but not limited to, throwing stars, nunchucks, and throwing knives.