With a new academic year upon us, Auraria's Campus Police Department is asking students, faculty and staff to report all threats or incidents of violent behavior they observe or are informed of. Subsequently, the department has developed a policy to be more responsive to threats and potential acts of violence on campus.

In June, Police Chief Heather Coogan sent a memorandum to all Auraria staff citing the "need to close the gap in communication … to put the links together to do a proper threat assessment." Therefore, the campus police have instituted a policy of writing "Threat Incident/Assessment Reports." They will write a report whenever they respond to threatening or possibly threatening behavior; violent behavior to property, self or others; a threat to hurt oneself or others; angry outbursts in the classroom or work environment; as well as when they are called in for hearings or discipline conferences, employee firings or conferences with potentially violent students.

Chief Coogan says: "All the studies show that downplaying your reaction to threats or other bad behavior is often interpreted as permission to continue to engage in that inappropriate behavior. Officers will be happy to stand by to assist in any situation where anyone feels threatened, believes that violence may occur, or is uncomfortable about a possible confrontation."

There are many warning signs of potential violence, as identified by campus police:

• Past engagement in violent behavior
• Tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts
• Antisocial behaviors
• Carrying or threatening to carry a weapon
• Making violent threats
• Preoccupation with weapons or violence
• Intimidation of others

These signs, among others, indicate that a person is troubled, and violence may or may not be one possible outcome of this distress. However, Coogan says that if you observe these warning signs, refer the person to an appropriate agency or individual: the campus police, if you feel threatened, or a counselor, parent or social, medical or mental health professional.