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The Student Conduct Office promotes learning and development for all students through educational conversations, programs, and sanctions to increase an individuals’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities. The Office is available to consult with students, faculty and staff regarding the student conduct process, policies, interpretation of campus policies, student concerns (including classroom behavioral issues) and other relevant areas.

The Student Threat Assessment Team (STAT) is chaired by the Dean of Students and is charged with gathering and reviewing information, conducting assessments, and developing action plans to assist in the rapid, accurate identification and intervention of students whose actions pose a concern of significant harm to others or significant fear of violence as well as other cases of significant disruption as necessary where, under certain circumstances, other avenues attempted.

Objectives:

• To develop, maintain and communicate procedures for reporting and sharing information regarding potentially threatening student behavior in academic and non-academic settings.
• To utilize information reported and gathered from the University community to identify students whose behaviors are disruptive and/or threatening to the University or its community member(s).

Westfield State University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning, living and working environment that is free from all forms of sexual violence, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and retaliation. Consistent with this commitment, the University complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, as well as retaliation for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission to or employment in its education programs and activities.

At Westfield State University, a bias incident is described as any behavior or act—verbal, written or physical—which is personally directed against or targeted toward an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status. Behavior reflecting bias may or may not constitute a violation of Westfield State University policy or constitute a crime (i.e. hate crime).

Events that may constitute a bias incident include, but are not limited to, threatening telephone calls or messages (including e-mail and social media), graffiti, physical assault, sexual assault or abuse, stalking, vandalism, destruction of personal property, harassment, or coercion.

The Student Case Management Team is a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to evaluate behaviors by University students that are perceived to be threatening, harming or disruptive to the student, to others or to both and coordinate an appropriate response. The Student Care Team does NOT respond directly to emergencies. Call University Police at 413-572-5262 or 911 if you need emergency services or if you feel threatened or know of someone who is in extreme distress.

Faculty, staff, friends, and family are frequently in a position to observe student behaviors that indicate distress or potentially compromised personal well-being. If you have a concern about a student who you perceive to be threatening, harming or disruptive, please let the Student Care Team know. This includes a student whose behavior or well-being are negatively impacting those around the student.