Steps

Is there an immediate physical threat? Call 9-1-1. 

Contact your Departmental Chair and inform them of the situation. 

• Ask them to reference the information under "Administrator’s Toolkit: Helping Faculty in Cases of Public Harassment"
• Work with them to describe the situation in this form. You may include any supporting documents, screenshots, relevant to your experience. This will prevent you from having to repeat the story to multiple reporting levels. 

If the threat is not immediate but you believe it to be criminal: 

• Under MA law, threatening, stalking and harassing behavior, including over electronic communication and social media, is punishable by law.
• File a report with the UMass Amherst Police Department (UMPD). They maintain confidentiality and can help the faculty member coordinate with other campus organizations, obtain a temporary restraining order through the courts, etc. UMPD reports that faculty are often hesitant to contact them. They encourage faculty to contact them directly and immediately so that they can help them assess the situation. If faculty are not sure if it is an emergency, call their non-emergency number, which is staffed 24/7.
  • 413-545-2121 (Non-emergency)
  • 413-545-3111 (Emergency)
  • @email (phone preferred to initiate an investigation)

If deemed necessary, the Dean’s Office can facilitate the physical relocation of assigned classrooms and/or office space.