PROCEDURES FOR POLICY NO: 1-22
REVISED DATE: 08/25/2026

  1. Purpose:

    These procedures define the operational processes used by the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) to implement the Threat Assessment Policy, including intake, assessment, intervention, monitoring, and case closure.

  2. Procedure and/or Process Definitions:

    Concerning Behavior: Behavior that suggests a possible risk of harm to self or others, significant disruption, or escalating safety concerns.

    Threat: Any communication, act, or behavior indicating intent to cause harm to self, others, or property.

    Imminent Threat: A situation involving an immediate and substantial risk of serious harm requiring emergency response.

    Threat Assessment Team (TAT): A multidisciplinary operational team responsible for receiving reports, conducting behavioral threat assessments, coordinating interventions, and managing case responses involving threatening or concerning behavior.

    Violence Prevention Committee (VPC): The College’s policy and oversight body responsible for violence prevention policy, institutional coordination, education, and compliance oversight.

    Interim Measures: Temporary actions implemented to reduce risk and maintain safety while assessment, review, or intervention is ongoing.

    Risk Levels: Institutional classifications used to assess level of concern and response priority, including Low, Moderate, Elevated, and Critical.

  3. Procedures:

    1. Reporting and Intake Process

      Emergency Situations

      If there is an immediate threat to health or safety:

      • Contact Campus Police/Public Safety at 804-523-5911 or 911
      • Emergency response procedures will be initiated immediately

      Non-Emergency Reporting

      Reports of concerning behavior may be submitted through:

      • The College's online Student of Concern reporting system
      • Dean of Students Office
      • Human Resources
      • Campus Police/Public Safety
      • Other designated institutional reporting channels

      Anonymous reports may be accepted; however, limited information may affect the College's ability to fully assess or respond to the concern.

    2. Threat Assessment Process

      1. Intake and Triage

        Upon receipt of a report, the TAT chair or designee shall:

        • Review available information
        • Determine urgency level
        • Assign case priority
        • Initiate immediate response measures when necessary
        • Identify additional participants or departments, as appropriate

        Urgent or high-risk cases may be reviewed on an expedited basis.

      2. Information Gathering

        The TAT may gather and review information relevant to the assessment, including:

        • Academic or employment records
        • Student conduct or disciplinary history
        • Witness statements
        • Communications or digital content, as permitted by law
        • Law enforcement information
        • Other relevant institutional information

        Information collection and sharing shall comply with applicable privacy laws and institutional procedures.

      3. Behavioral Assessment

        The TAT conducts a behavior-based assessment using structured and evidence-informed practices. Assessment factors may include:

        • Intent, means, and opportunity
        • Behavioral escalation or leakage
        • Stressors or triggering events
        • Protective factors and support systems
        • Access to weapons or harmful resources
        • Patterns of concerning behavior

      4. Risk Classification

        The TAT shall assess level of concern using an established behavioral risk assessment framework, including the use of National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA) risk assessment tools or other institutionally approved assessment tools.

        Risk classifications include, in ascending order of severity:

        1. Low
        2. Moderate
        3. Elevated
        4. Critical

        Risk level informs response priority, intervention scope, and monitoring needs.

      5. Intervention and Case Management

        The TAT shall develop and coordinate an intervention and case management plan appropriate to the level of concern.

        Interventions may include:

        • Behavioral expectations or directives
        • Safety planning
        • Referrals to on-campus services
        • No-contact directives
        • Access restrictions
        • Interim suspension or administrative leave, when appropriate
        • Medical separation
        • Referral to community services boards or health care providers
        • Coordination with law enforcement or external agencies
        • Notification of family members or guardians, when appropriate

        Interventions shall follow the least restrictive reasonable approach necessary to maintain safety.

      6. Communication and Coordination

        Information shall be shared on a need-to-know basis with appropriate individuals or offices, including:

        • Campus Police/Public Safety
        • Human Resources
        • Student Conduct
        • Faculty or supervisors, as appropriate
        • College leadership
        • External agencies or support providers, when appropriate and legally permissible

        Parents, guardians, or emergency contacts may be notified when permitted by law and appropriate to protect health or safety.

      7. Monitoring and Follow-Up

        The TAT shall monitor active cases through:

        • Ongoing case review
        • Follow-up communication
        • Monitoring compliance with interventions
        • Updated risk assessments, as needed
        • Coordination of continued support services

        Cases remain active until the TAT determines that risk has been appropriately mitigated.

      8. Case Closure

        A case may be closed when:

        • Risk has been reduced to an acceptable level
        • Recommended interventions have been completed
        • The individual is no longer affiliated with the College
        • Continued monitoring is no longer necessary

        Case closure documentation shall include:

        • Summary of the concern
        • Actions taken
        • Final risk assessment
        • Basis for closure

    3. Special Procedures

      Interim Measures. Interim measures may be implemented at any stage of the review process to address immediate or ongoing safety concerns.

      Employee Matters. Employee-related concerns may involve:

      • Coordination with Human Resources
      • Administrative leave
      • Fitness-for-duty evaluations, when appropriate
      • Compliance with employment law and applicable policy

      Student Matters. Student-related concerns may involve:

      • Interim suspension or emergency removal
      • Student conduct processes
      • Behavioral agreements
      • Referral to student support resources

      Return-to-Campus or Return-to-Work. The College may require review and clearance prior to return to campus, employment, or participation in College activities. Conditions may include:

      • Compliance with behavioral expectations
      • Documentation of readiness or fitness
      • Continued monitoring or support measures

    4. Records Management

      All Threat Assessment Team records shall:

      • Be maintained in the College's designated case management system
      • Be retained in accordance with applicable records retention schedules
      • Be protected under applicable privacy and confidentiality laws
      • Be accessible only to authorized individuals with a legitimate need to know

    5. Procedure Review

      These procedures shall be reviewed at least every two years or as needed due to legal, regulatory, operational, or institutional changes.

  4. Other Information:

    Virginia Code § 23.1-805 — Violence prevention committee; threat assessment team