Introduction
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The foundation for this guide is Boise State University’s unwavering support for academic freedom and freedom of expression. The faculty’s right to academic freedom in teaching and research is protected as essential to the university’s educational mission, even with regard to controversial issues or ideas that may provoke disagreement in the public. Likewise, as citizens, faculty members enjoy strong protection for freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is not only mandated by our Constitution and other laws but is also necessary for the robust intellectual exchange on which the university’s teaching and research missions depend. Thus, the targeting of scholars for their ideas or views not only harms those individuals, but also strikes at the university’s academic core. Through this guide and other means, the university seeks to protect faculty against the intimidation or violence that the expression of unpopular ideas sometimes generates.
This checklist helps department chairs and other administrators to address possible concerns and provide resources in the immediate and longer-term aftermath of a crisis in which faculty are targeted for their ideas or views. The department chair and/or their designee may use this checklist when meeting with the faculty member to gather information and create a safety plan.
It may be useful to capture as much information as possible during these interactions in order to limit the number of times the faculty member has to retell the story. If it is not possible for the department chair or designee to engage in this type of meeting, please refer the faculty member to the dean’s office for follow-up.
What is the nature of the harassment? When did it begin? How has it changed since it began?
In what environment(s) is the harassment occurring?
- Social media
- In the classroom
- In the office
- At home
- Voice messages left on campus phones
- On-campus stalking
- Via media requests
- Harassment of family members/children
- Other
What is the faculty member’s greatest concern(s)?
| Actions | Resource/s |
|---|---|
| Engage with the CARE Team about on-campus safety resources, including assessing level of danger and threat, arranging for escorts to a parking lot, as needed, and rerouting/reviewing incoming email messages. | CARE Team |
| A representative of the Boise State Department of Public Safety serves as a member of the CARE team and can also be contacted directly to arrange for safety planning and/or to investigate violent threats. The Department of Public Safety is available to do an initial assessment over the phone or in-person with the chair or individual faculty member. Further, the Boise State Department of Public Safety can provide instruction for activating the guardian feature of the Rave Guardian app and can provide information about how to preserve incoming messages to aid in their potential use as evidence, in the case that some type of charges are filed. | Boise State Department of Public Safety |
| If needed and if feasible, arrange for relocation of the faculty member’s classroom(s) and office, including technology (e.g., computer, printer, internet). Remove the new room numbers from public listings (e.g., directory). | Department and college administration Office of the Registrar (general purpose classrooms) |
| If the threats are of a sexual nature or gender-based, consult the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Compliance within two business days for guidance regarding any relevant Title IX or Title VII issues and procedures. | Title IX Coordinator Office of Institutional Compliance |
| Arrange for a process to have someone other than the faculty member sort incoming emails, voice messages, etc. Seek out professional assistance regarding how to preserve the messages appropriately for potential use as evidence. | CARE Team Boise State Department of Public Safety OIT Helpdesk |
| Refer to the Boise State Office of Communications and Marketing for media training. Reporters may call for a comment or interview; deciding whether to talk with the press is a personal decision. Consulting with media experts can assist in the decision- making process and skill development. | Office of Communications and Marketing |
| Provide information about relevant academic policies that address specific concerns expressed by the faculty member. See the Relevant Boise State Policies and Resources section of this guide for examples. | Office of the Provost Office of the Ombudsperson |
| Support faculty members who feel their social identity is a component of the attack (e.g., faculty of color, LGBTQ faculty). Provide resources and support for others in the department (e.g., students, staff, faculty) who share the faculty member’s identity and who may also feel threatened. | Title IX Gender Equity Center Institutional Compliance |
| Provide information about available campus resources to address stress management and counseling services. | Boise State Employee Assistance Program Boise State HC Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programs |
Relevant Boise State Policies and Resources
Policies and Guidance
- University Policy 1060 (Non-discrimination and Anti-harassment)
https://www.boisestate.edu/policy/governance-legal/non-discrimination-and-anti-harassment-policy/ - University Policy 1065 (Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking)
https://www.boisestate.edu/policy/governance-legal/sexual-harassment-dating-violence/ - University Policy 12040 (Workplace Violence)
https://www.boisestate.edu/policy/campus-security-and-safety/workplace-violence/ - University Policy 12050 (Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment)
https://www.boisestate.edu/policy/campus-security-and-safety/policy-title-behavioral-intervention-and-threat-assessment/
Campus Resources
The following offices are available to assist during crisis management and also to provide longer-term guidance and programs. Please be aware that email communication with these offices may be considered a “public record” and subject to the Idaho Public Records Law.
Department of Public Safety
- https://www.boisestate.edu/publicsafety/
- Address: 2245 University Drive
- Phone: (208) 426-6911
- Email: publicsafety@boisestate.edu
Employee Assistance Program
- https://www.boisestate.edu/hrs/benefits/employee-assistance-program/
- Address: 2225 W University Drive, Capitol Village #3
- Phone: (208) 426-1616
- Email: hrs@boisestate.edu
Office of the Provost
- https://www.boisestate.edu/academics/
- Address: 1910 University Drive, Admin Building, ADM 202
- Phone: (208) 426-1202
- Email: provost@boisestate.edu
Office of the General Counsel
- https://www.boisestate.edu/generalcounsel/
- Address: 960 S Broadway Avenue, Suite 250
- Phone: (208) 426-1203
- Email: generalcounsel@boisestate.edu
CARE Team
- https://www.boisestate.edu/care/
- Address: 2100 University Drive
University Counseling Service
- https://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/counseling/
- Address: Norco Building, 2nd Floor
- Phone: (208) 426-1459
Office of Institutional Compliance and Ethics
- https://www.boisestate.edu/compliance/
- Address: Riverfront Hall, 3rd Floor
- Phone: (208) 426-1258
Gender Equity Center
- https://www.boisestate.edu/genderequity/
- Address: Student Union Building, E2406
- Phone: (208) 426-4259
- Email: genderequity@boisestate.edu
- Phone: (208) 426-1527
More Information
Contact the Office of the Provost:
- https://www.boisestate.edu/academics/
- Address: 1910 University Drive, Admin Building, ADM 202
- Phone: (208) 426-1202
- Email: provost@boisestate.edu