Violence Free Campus

Recommended By
Administration and Finance
Approved
Ruben Armiñana, President
Issue Date
Tuesday, September 15, 1998
Current Issue Date
Tuesday, December 1, 1998
Effective Date
Tuesday, December 1, 1998
Contact Office
Environmental Health & Safety
Policy number
1998-5

Sonoma State University is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment for all members of the university community that is free from violence.

Civility, understanding, and mutual respect toward all members of the university community are intrinsic to excellence in teaching and learning, to safety in the workplace, and to maintenance of a culture and environment that serves the needs of all campus constituents.

Sonoma State University will not tolerate violence or threats of violence on campus or at campus-sponsored events by members of the university community against other persons or property.

For the purposes of this policy, violence and threats of violence include, but are not limited to:

  • any act that is physically assaultive; or
  • any threat, behavior or action which is interpreted by a reasonable person to carry the potential:
    • to harm or endanger the safety of others;
    • to result in an act of aggression; or
    • to destroy or damage property.

Any member of the university community who commits a violent act or threatens to commit a violent act toward other persons or property on campus or at campus sponsored events shall be subject to disciplinary action, according to established procedures, up to and including dismissal from employment or expulsion from the university, exclusive of any civil and/or criminal penalties that may be pursued, as appropriate.

It is the responsibility of every administrator, faculty member, staff member, and student to take any threat or violent act seriously, and to report acts of violence or threats of violence to the appropriate authorities.

Nothing in this policy is intended to restrain the exercise of rights of political or social advocacy, or artistic expression, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Related Links: How to Respond to a Violent Threat on Campus

Updated December 1, 1998 by SSU.policies@sonoma.edu