Crises/Threats/Misconduct

​​​​Crisis: "A clear and present dangerous event."

Elements of a Crisis:

  • Present in time
  • Actual event
  • Specific
  • Physical or emotional harm is imminent if not already initiated

Examples of Crisis: Fire, Tornado, Flood, Murder, Display of a gun/knife/any other kind of weapon or an active shooter on campus, Assault causing injury, Verbally or physically aggressive conduct if the aggressor is warned to cease aggressive conduct and refuses to do so, and/or a Bomb threat, when the threat specifies a specific location, a specific time of discharge in the very near future, or a specific target (person, class, room or building).

Employee Response to a Crisis:

  1. Call 911 (8-911 from a campus phone)
  2. Notify Crisis Management Team by calling 964-6638 or 6638 on campus (after hours 515-306-2306).

Institutional Response to a Crisis:

  1. Building Captain or Alternate(s) takes immediate action (e.g., evacuation of building) and assures compliance with DMACC EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
  2. Crisis Management Team will implement measures to manage/contain/reduce consequences of the crisis, and restore normal college functions and activities.

Threat: "An ambiguous and future risk."

Elements of a Threat:

  • Future in time
  • Possible event (indicated by a real act or statement suggesting a current propensity for future violence.)
  • Ambiguous
  • Physical or emotional harm is neither imminent nor consummated

Examples of Threats:

  1. Non-specific statement such as, "Some day I will make you pay for this," after which speaker leaves the scene.
  2. Bomb threat, when the threat is ambiguous, such as "There is a bomb on one of the six campuses which will go off sometime in the next 24 hours."

Employee Response to a Threat:

  1. Immediately notify the Crisis Management Team (CMT) by calling 964-6638 or 6638 on campus (after hours 515-306-2306).
  2. Take no further action until directed.

Institutional Response to a Threat:

  1. The Crisis Management Team (with the assistance of experts as needed) will assess the threat and determine the viability of the threat.
  2. The Crisis Management Team will direct such institutional action as is appropriate to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of danger.

Misconduct: "Conduct that interferes with the educational atmosphere and business of the College."

Examples of Misconduct:

  1. Loud or profane conduct that disrupts the educational environment.
  2. Refusal to comply with faculty or staff direction.
  3. Destruction of DMACC or other property.
  4. Threats of/or actual physical violence.
  5. Acting or failing to act in a manner which causes concern for the safety of oneself or others.

Employee Response to Misconduct:

  1. Determine if individual is an employee, student or guest.
  2. Escort individual to a non-public location (conference room, office, etc.) if possible.
  3. Contact security or dial 8​-911 if warranted.
  4. If individual is a student, follow Student Conduct/Discipline Procedure (ES 4630).
  5. Determine witnesses and ask each witness to write a statement regarding what he/she observed.
  6. Document incident and provide copy to supervisor (if employee), Dean/Provost, and Judicial Officer (if student misconduct).
  7. Report writing recommendations:
    • Be detailed when you write up the incident.
    • Please be sure to include:
      • Time, date, location of incident.
      • Details of what transpired.
      • Who was present during incident (Please confirm spelling of names and provide contact information if possible).
    • Remember to include specific language used by parties as much as possible no matter how vulgar or profane.
    • Please complete documentation immediately following the incident to ensure you recall as much information as possible.
    • If a student, complete a Student Conduct/Discipline Report (ES 4630) and attach with documentation.

DMACC Procedures and Report Forms can be Accessed At:

Institutional Response to Misconduct:

  1. Supervisor will investigate employee misconduct. Refer to HR 3235, Discipline and HR 3825, Discharge.
  2. Provost/Dean and/or Judicial Officer will investigate student misconduct. Potential sanctions may include reprimand, educational requirements, restitution, suspension or expulsion from DMACC. Refer to ES 4630.
    • Remember to include specific language used by parties as much as possible no matter how vulgar or profane.
    • Please complete documentation immediately following the incident to ensure you recall as much information as possible.