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Faculty Support Checklist for Department Chairs, Program Directors, Unit Heads

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?

  • Email
  • 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)?

ActionsResource/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

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

Employee Assistance Program

Office of the Provost

Office of the General Counsel

CARE Team

University Counseling Service

Office of Institutional Compliance and Ethics

Gender Equity Center

More Information

Contact the Office of the Provost:

Faculty Support and Resources Guide

Faculty Support and Resources Guide

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