In light of the recent incident at San Diego State University in which three professors were killed by a student, faculty and staff are reminded that there are both preventive steps that can be taken and campus resources available to help avoid such tragedies.

"Though outcomes this severe are in fact rare, violence does occur in university workplaces and we have to do all that we can to prevent it," says Steve Lustig, executive director of the University Health Service and co-convener of the campus Behavior Risk Assessment Team.

The group was introduced to the campus in a May 1995 memo from the chancellor entitled "Responding to Threatening or Potentially Violent Situations." (This is available on the campus network via gopher or www at infocal.berkeley.edu under campus directives.)

"What we have learned from the incidents of workplace violence across the country is that these incidents followed warning signs and that telling someone, such as a supervisor or chair, of your concerns is the most important step toward violence prevention," according to Carol Hoffman of the campus's CARE Services.

The supervisor, in turn, can consult with the campus resource he or she feels most comfortable with. Resources include Counseling and Psychological Services for students, CARE Services for faculty and staff, UC Police, staff employee relations, student conduct and others.

And of course, in case of imminent threats or violence, call 9-911 (on campus) to reach campus police. In addition, there are campus resources that can help a department, prior to any incident, develop a safety plan, evaluate the physical space for security needs, develop personal security plans, provide educational workshops on violence in the workplace and, if necessary, conduct post-incident debriefing activities.

"Though outcomes this severe are in fact rare, violence does occur in university workplaces and we have to do all that we can to prevent it," says Steve Lustig, executive director of the University Health Service and co-convener of the campus Behavior Risk Assessment Team.

The group was introduced to the campus in a May 1995 memo from the chancellor entitled "Responding to Threatening or Potentially Violent Situations." (This is available on the campus network via gopher or www at infocal.berkeley.edu under campus directives.)

"What we have learned from the incidents of workplace violence across the country is that these incidents followed warning signs and that telling someone, such as a supervisor or chair, of your concerns is the most important step toward violence prevention," according to Carol Hoffman of the campus's CARE Services.

The supervisor, in turn, can consult with the campus resource he or she feels most comfortable with. Resources include Counseling and Psychological Services for students, CARE Services for faculty and staff, UC Police, staff employee relations, student conduct and others.

And of course, in case of imminent threats or violence, call 9-911 (on campus) to reach campus police. In addition, there are campus resources that can help a department, prior to any incident, develop a safety plan, evaluate the physical space for security needs, develop personal security plans, provide educational workshops on violence in the workplace and, if necessary, conduct post-incident debriefing activities.