Dean of Student Life

Threat Assessment

If you need to report a present, imminent threat, please contact Campus Public Safety 24/7 at 503-725-5911 (emergency).

PSU is committed to enabling a safe campus environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. As part of that commitment, the university has a Threat Assessment Team and process designed to:

  • Give faculty, staff, and students a place to go for help in response to perceived threats and concerning behaviors;
  • Provide faculty, staff, and students a simple way to report threats and concerning behaviors in a timely manner;
  • Gather information, assess that information, and create risk assessments along with management plans related to reported threats or concerning behaviors;
  • Provide support and resources for faculty, staff, and students who are victims of threats; and
  • Protect the campus from threats.

Team Composition

Portland State’s Threat Assessment Team is an extension of the University's CARE Team. The core membership of the CARE/Threat Assessment Team (CARE/TAT) includes:

  • Dean of Student Life -- Convener of the CARE/TAT
  • Vice Provost for Student Affairs/OAA
  • Chief of Campus Police
  • Associate Vice Provost for Student Health and Wellbeing
  • Director, Counseling Services
  • Executive Director, University Housing and Residence Life
  • Director of Student Conduct

Other university leaders are included depending on the nature of the information. For instance:

  • Director, Women’s Resource Center
  • General Counsel
  • Director of Academic Employees and Labor Relations (if faculty are involved)
  • HR Director of Employee and Labor Relations (if staff are involved)
  • Title IX Coordinator (as appropriate)
  • Department Chair or Dean (as appropriate)

Reporting a Threat

If the threat is happening now or there is present danger, contact emergency -- 911 or Campus Public Safety at 503-725-5911

If the situation is not imminent and/or a concerned community member wants to consult about a situation they think might constitute a threat:

  • Contact the Office of Student Affairs -- Dean of Student Life at 503-725-4422 or askdos@pdx.edu (business hours response)
  • Contact Campus Public Safety -- 503-725-5911 (after hours response)

In many cases reporters want simply to talk about their observations or experiences in a consultative manner and to seek resources. The process often begins this way, therefore, and does not automatically result in a formal threat assessment. Community members can consult and provide information to the reporting offices (Student Affairs and Campus Public Safety) as the first step in a supportive, iterative process. If a threat is identified or there is a fearful third party, a formal threat assessment will likely be conducted.

Threat Assessment Methodology

The University uses a single Threat Assessment Team (the CARE/TAT) and protocol to ensure all vital decision makers are included and that all information is funneled directly to those decision makers.

The CARE/TAT uses SIGMA Threat Management Associates’ threat assessment instrument and tool for each formal threat assessment. The assessment instrument starts with three “screening” questions to help the team determine if a formal threat assessment should be convened. 

Those three questions are:

  1. Has there been any mention of thoughts/plans of violence to others (or to self and others)?
  2. Have there been any other behaviors that cause concern for violence to others?
  3. Is there a fearful victim or third party?

The initial report is used, along with other information immediately available to answer the screening questions above. If the answer is YES to any of these screening questions, the CARE/TAT will conduct a full threat assessment that considers the situation of concern.

Threat Assessment Principles

Our work is guided by the following principles (© Sigma Threat Management Associates)

  • Prevention is possible;
  • Focus on behavior, not traits or profiles;
  • Determine if someone poses a threat, not whether they made a threat;
  • Keep victims in mind;
  • Early identification and intervention helps everyone;
  • Multiple reporting mechanisms enhance early identification;
  • Multi-faceted resources can provide effective intervention;
  • Safety is a primary focus; and
  • Cooperating systems are critical for identifying, gathering information, evaluating, and managing.

Because cooperating systems are vital to campus safety, PSU asks all faculty, staff, and students to use this process in order to create the most effective way to manage threats to individuals and the community.

For More Information

If you have any questions about the University’s Threat Assessment process please contact either:

  • Taylor Burke, Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life
  • Willie Halliburton, Chief of Campus Police and Director of Public Safety