Community Response Team Protocol
Privacy laws prevent IUP from sharing the outcome of reported incidents. See the steps below that IUP and the Community Response Team take when an incident of bias or hate requires intervention.
1. Assess
Assess threat to safety.
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IUP Department of Public Safety conducts threat assessments and reaches out, as required, to Indiana Borough Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI to determine whether there are credible threats of imminent harm.
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We also work with Residence Life personnel, assistant and associate deans, and others to assess the immediate situation for alleged perpetrator(s) and alleged victim(s).
2. Investigate
Consider the incident pursuant to the Nondiscrimination Policy, Community Standards Policy, Sexual Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy, or other policies and laws to determine whether an investigation and referral are warranted. That process is:
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Investigate.
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Once investigation is complete, consider whether the facts determined by investigation (if true) would rise to the level of a violation.
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If so, refer to appropriate disciplinary process for fact determination, adjudication, and resolution.
3. Educate and Restore
Engage with offending individual through administrators, department faculty, chairs, assistant and associate deans, deans, and Office of Student Support and Community Standards to assess harm caused, and then work with the individual(s) on restorative justice/restitution solutions.
Restorative justice and restitution are ways the student can repair or take responsibility for the damage done.
4. Support
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Support alleged victims and concerned community through clear, direct messaging and communication condemning hate.
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Announce an immediate investigation and plans for an educational response.
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Identify campus resources.
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Provide counseling and other supportive measures.
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Consider programming to counter the incident.
5. Communicate
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Upon learning about an incident, send separate messages tailored to students, employees, alumni, trustees, chancellor, and the wider community.
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Express concerns about reported bias-motivated behavior. Condemn hate.
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Announce an immediate investigation of the matter.
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Share resources for students affected by the incident.
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Send regular updates to various stakeholders.