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Violence or Intimidation on Campus

Violence or intimidation can affect the safety of everyone on our campus and the surrounding community. As U-M community members, we all share the responsibility of maintaining a safe and secure environment through our own nonviolent behavior and by reporting any acts of violence, threats or aggression.

Photo of the U-M student union at night.

If you witness violence or intimidation or feel that you or someone you know is in immediate danger, we encourage you to report it.

Submit a Report

U-M Resources

What is Violence or Intimidation?

Workplace or classroom violence and intimidation can be any verbal or physical actions that create fear or threaten the safety of U-M students, faculty, staff or guests. Such behavior may include:

  • Physical assault
  • Behavior that a reasonable person believes has the potential for violence
  • Any act that threatens harm to another person or damage to property
  • Domestic violence
  • Stalking
Reporting an Incident

If you have experienced or witnessed such behavior in your U-M workplace or classroom, please report it immediately to the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at (734) 763-1131.

DPSS can help with reporting and safety planning, and connect you with counseling services and other community resources.

Other U-M Reporting Options

Any University community member, contractor, or visitor can report a violation and request assistance. In addition, employees in positions of authority—including deans, directors, chairs, supervisors, faculty, graduate student instructors, and coaches—must contact the appropriate resources when they witness or learn about violence or threats.

Other University Resources

Various counseling and other support resources are available for faculty, staff, and students.

For more information on U-M policies, please refer to the U-M Standard Practice Guide on Violence in the University Community.

Did You Know?

Nearly two million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year. Unfortunately, many more cases go unreported.

– U.S. Department of Labor

Prevention

The most important thing you can do to prevent violence on our campus is to report it. U-M has established a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, which covers all students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors. DPSS promptly investigates all reported incidents of violence.

DPSS also provides a free training presentation on workplace and classroom violence and dealing with difficult people, covering how to handle escalating or threatening behavior and violence. We present this information not in the expectation that an incident will occur but because knowledge and preparation are the best ways to minimize and avoid such events.

Request a Training

How to Respond to Disruptive, Violent or Threatening Behavior

If you are in a situation where you must interact with a potentially aggressive or violent person, be aware of how your reactions may escalate or de-escalate the situation. Consider these suggested guidelines:

Indicators of Problem Behavior

Below is a list of behaviors and attitudes that may indicate disruptive, threatening or violent behavior. If you observe a pattern of such behaviors and attitudes that causes you concern, please contact us.

Behavior:

  • Upset over recent event(s) (school, work or personal crisis)
  • Shows a significant change in behavior, demeanor, and appearance
  • Has withdrawn from everyday activities, family, friends, and co-workers
  • Intimidates, harasses or mistreats others
  • Challenges or resists authority
  • Blames others for problems in life or work, suspicious, holds grudges
  • Abuses drugs or alcohol
  • Displays unwelcome, obsessive romantic attention
  • Makes threatening references to other incidents of violence
  • Makes threats to harm self, others or property
  • Has or is fascinated with weapons
  • Has a history of violence
  • Has communicated specific proposed acts of disruption or violence

Attitude:

  • Remains isolated or a loner
  • Acts morally superior, self-righteous
  • Feels entitled to special rights and that the rules don’t apply to them
  • Feels wronged, humiliated, degraded; wants revenge
  • Believes they have no choices or options for action except violence
General Response to Disruptive Behavior (No Threats or Weapons)
  • Respond quietly and calmly. Try to defuse the situation.
  • Do not take the behavior personally. Usually, the person directs their behavior at you, even though it has little to do with you.
  • Ask questions. Respectful concern and interest may demonstrate that aggression is not necessary.
  • Consider offering an apology. Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, an apology may calm the individual and encourage cooperation.
  • Summarize what you hear the individual saying. Make sure you are communicating clearly. In a crisis, a person feels humiliated and wants respect and attention. Your summary of the individual’s concerns reflects your attention.
Initial Response Ineffective, But Individual Does Not Seem Dangerous
  • Calmly and firmly set limits. “Please lower your voice. There will be no disruptions in this office.” “Please be patient so I can understand what you need and try to help you.”
  • Ask the individual to stop the behavior and warn them that you may take official action. “Disruption is subject to university action. Stop or I’ll report you.”
  • If the disruption continues despite a warning, tell the individual that they may be disciplined or prosecuted, state that the discussion is over and direct them to leave the office. “Please leave now. If you do not leave, we will call the police.”
  • If the individual refuses to leave after being directed to do so, state that this refusal is also a violation subject to discipline, exclusion from work or class, or arrest.
Initial Response Ineffective, But the Individual Seems Dangerous
  • If possible, find a quiet, safe place to talk, but do not isolate yourself with an individual you believe may be dangerous. Maintain a safe distance, do not turn your back and stay seated if possible. Leave the door open or open a closed door, and sit near the door. Be sure a co-worker is nearby to help if needed.
  • Use a calm, non-confrontational approach to defuse the situation. Indicate your desire to listen and understand the problem. Allow the person to describe the problem.
  • NEVER touch the individual or try to remove them from the area. An agitated individual may interpret even a gentle push or holding their arm as an assault, and they may respond by becoming violent or filing a lawsuit later.
  • Set limits to indicate the behavior needed to deal with the concern. “Please lower your voice.” “Please stop shouting (or using profanity) or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
  • Signal for assistance. If you need assistance, use a prearranged ‘distress’ signal instead of calling directly, as calling may antagonize the individual. A co-worker should check on you, and if you need help, they should contact the police and alert your supervisor.
  • Do not mention discipline or the police if you fear an angry or violent response.
  • If the situation escalates, find a way to excuse yourself, leave the room or area and get help.
Escalation to Threats, Imminent Violence and Weapons
  • If violent behavior occurs, try to escape, hide or protect yourself.
  • Call 911. UMPD can be reached directly at (734) 763-1131. Try to use a phone that is out of sight and hearing of the individual, and keep a line open to the police until they arrive.
  • If possible, do not attempt to intervene physically or deal with the situation yourself.