Behaviors that Warrant a Report
As a member of the Adelphi community, you may identify concerning behaviors that can affect a person's mental, physical, academic-intellectual and/or workplace well-being, in addition to behaviors that pose a safety risk to the individual or the campus community.
You may feel more in control of situations that may arise, and you may put yourself in a better position to be helpful if you are able to recognize and report behaviors that are disruptive or behaviors that could potentially lead to violence, while also providing sources of help for the individual.
These lists are intended to provide basic information only.
Behavior that Requires Immediate Assistance
Below are examples of behaviors that indicate IMMEDIATE threat and require immediate assistance:
- Carrying or displaying a weapon
- Acts or threats of harm (verbal or written) to individuals or property
- Suicidal threats or attempts
- Self-harming behaviors like cutting or burning
- Intimidating behaviors, including inappropriate touching, harassment or stalking
- Disruptive behavior such as yelling or screaming uncontrollably, aggression or hostility
- Any words or conduct that cause fear for safety
Get to a safe area first. Once safe, call Public Safety at 516.877.3511 or dial 911.
Concerning or Disruptive Behavior
Below are examples of concerning or disruptive behaviors that may make you or others uncomfortable:
These are changes that depart from normal or socially appropriate behavior. Indicators may include:
- Decline in quality of work and/or grades
- Change in physical appearance [for example, deterioration in grooming/hygiene, weight loss/gain]
- Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbances
- Disorientation or being “out of it”
- Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
This is a change which exhibits unrestrained and improper actions:
- Repeated, unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance (this can be verbal, social, or physical behaviors)
- Frequent or high levels of irritable, unruly, abrasive, aggressive or argumentative behavior
- Excessive tearfulness, panicked reactions, irritability or unusual apathy
- Continuous disruptions in class or work
- Unprovoked anger or hostility
- Lack of respect for personal space and boundaries
This behavior can cause physical, social and psychological harm to the individual and others:
- Signs of impairment and/or under the influence during class, work or on campus indicate a problem that requires attention.
This behavior occurs when a person feels that they are no longer able to cope with an overwhelming situation:
- Self-disclosure of personal distress that could include family problem, financial difficulties, depression, grief or thoughts of suicide
- Engaging in reckless or impulsive behavior
- Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
- Expressions of concern about the individual by his/her peers
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there’s no logical explanation for doing this
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again
This is a hostile behavior with intent to cause physical, emotional or psychological harm to others:
- Verbal abuse [for instance, taunting, badgering intimidation]
- Unwillingness to change behavior after it has been addressed
- Lack of willingness to comply with directives from personnel
- Disturbing content in writing or presentations [such as violence, death]
- Behavior that interferes with daily operations throughout the campus
If the concerning or disruptive behavior rises to a level of immediate concern, contact Public Safety at 516.877.3511 or dial 911.
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