A threat is defined as an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something (including self). A threat can be spoken, written, or symbolic.
Not all threats, nor those that threaten, are equal in their potential for harm, but all threats that are brought to the attention of the university will be taken seriously, evaluated, and documented.
Read more about:
Factors in Threat Assessment
Levels of Risk
Threat Response
The UA Little Rock Threat Assessment Team will consist of the following core members and any appointed individuals as needed or deemed necessary relative to the threat:
- Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and/or designee(s)
- Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration and/or designee(s)
- UA Little Rock Police Department and/or designee(s)
- Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost and/or designee(s)
The UA Little Rock Police Department or designee will serve as the facilitator of the team. In the interest of expediency and specific to the threat, any team member can be designated as chairperson. The team will convene to evaluate and formulate a plan of action to address threats to the safety and security of the university public (students, staff, faculty, and visitors) and to university facilities. Quarterly meetings will be scheduled to exchange information and review the content and methodology of the threat assessment process.
Types of Threats
Threats can be classified into four different categories; direct, indirect, veiled, conditional.
- A direct threat identifies a specific target and is delivered in a straightforward, clear, and explicit manner.
- An indirect threat tends to be vague, unclear, and ambiguous. The plan, the intended victim, the motivation, and other aspects of the threat are masked or equivocal.
- A veiled threat is one that strongly implies but does not specifically threaten violence.
- A conditional threat is the type of threat often seen in extortion cases. It warns that a violent act will happen unless certain demands or terms are met.
