Tufts is committed to maintaining an environment in which individuals are safe to learn, work, and live. In support of this commitment, we affirm that Tufts will not tolerate violence or threats of violence anywhere on its campuses or in connection with university-sponsored programs.
About Tufts Threat Assessment & Management (TTAM)
Tragic events across the country in recent years have highlighted the dangers posed by violence on college and university campuses. Former Tufts University President Anthony Monaco wrote to the university community about important, proactive efforts to ensure the continued safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In his message, the President issued the following violence free university policy statement:
A Message from TTAM
In support of Former President Anthony Monaco’s policy statement, Tufts established the Tufts Threat Assessment and Management (TTAM) program to identify, evaluate and address potentially threatening situations affecting members of the Tufts community. Recognizing and reporting early signs that someone may be in emotional distress or having thoughts of violence are crucial to preventing violence and enhance the university’s ability to provide assistance to community members who may be in distress. To learn more, watch a video describing the TTAM program.
Your Safety Matters
We encourage all members of the university community to use this additional safety resource to learn how to recognize potential threats and to safely and if you so choose, anonymously, report concerns. As part of Tufts University’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment where we can learn, work, and live without the threat of violence, the university established the Tufts Threat Assessment and Management Program. Staff from each of our four campuses, including representatives from General Counsel, The Office of Equal Opportunity, Tufts University Police, Human Resources, the StAAR Center, and the International Center, make up the program.
Tufts is committed to maintaining an environment in which individuals are safe to learn, work, and live. In support of this commitment, we affirm that Tufts will not tolerate violence or threats of violence anywhere on its campuses or in connection with university-sponsored programs.
TTAM teams are responsible for threat assessment and management activities on behalf of the university. These activities include:
- Providing the Tufts community - including students, faculty, staff, alumni, or parents - with multiple ways to safely and confidentially report concerns of threatening or violent behavior (including stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence) by another community member or by a university vendor or contractor;
- Determining whether the person or situation of concern poses a threat of violence;
- Gathering and objectively evaluating information from relevant sources regarding the person or situation of concern;
- Taking appropriate action to address potential threats, including assisting those in need;
- Establishing early intervention strategies;
- Developing case management plans that draw on resources within and outside the university;
- Partnering with appropriate departments, offices, organizations, and agencies, both on and off campus.
TTAM operations and coordination are based within the Department of Public and (DPS) since the Tufts University Police Department has university-wide authority, and will be involved in all incidents requiring the work of TTAM teams, and may be required to respond quickly to the most critical behavioral concerns.
Confidentiality
TTAM members are responsible for treating their work confidentially. While a TTAM member cannot promise confidentiality during the intake or reporting process, information will be shared only with those who need to know. TTAM members may not disclose confidential material to anyone outside of the TTAM process unless the team determines that disclosure is warranted because the individual receiving the information is a university official or emergency responder with a need to know. If you are concerned that your information has not been treated with this discretion, we encourage you to contact us immediately.
Retaliation
Tufts University is sensitive to concerns related to retaliation against individuals who in good faith report acts of violence, concerning behavior or statements, or potential threats, or who participate in an investigation under this policy. Retaliating against a person who has made a report under this policy or who has participated in an investigation is prohibited. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, ostracizing the person, pressuring the person to drop the report or not participate in the investigation, or taking other adverse action against the person. The University will respond to and investigate all reports of retaliation. An individual who engages in retaliation under this policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with the University’s student and employee disciplinary policies, as applicable.
Annual Report
To ensure that TTAM is following best practices and advancing the goals of the Tufts’ Violence-free University Policy Statement, TTAM will provide a written annual report of its work to the university’s executive administration. The report will be comprised of statistical information. It will not contain personal identifying information specific to a case or incident.