Integrating Threat Assessment Into Event Planning

The threat of targeted violence when hosting high-profile and controversial speakers or campus events is one of the many risks colleges and universities should consider as part of their event planning process.

Threat assessment is one of the most effective tools available for preventing targeted violence — a specific type of violence that is premeditated and directed at specific people, groups, or locations based on actual or perceived identity traits or affiliations.

Most institutions have established behavioral threat assessment teams on their campus. Integrating threat assessment expertise directly into your institution’s planning process for high-profile and controversial events can help mitigate the risk of targeted violence, which can’t be predicted or eliminated.

What Is Threat Assessment?

Threat assessment is a fact-based, behavior-focused process used to identify people or situations that may pose a risk of violence. It relies on evaluating concerning communications, behaviors, and contextual factors — not profiling or speculation.

Most institutions already have threat assessment expertise on their campus since, in the wake of high-profile school shootings, threat assessment has been widely recommended by state and federal entities as a preventative tool.

When embedded into event planning, threat assessment can become a proactive measure to prevent escalation before it occurs.

How to Integrate Threat Assessment Into Event Planning

Consider the following steps for integrating threat assessment into your institution’s planning for high profile or controversial events:

Tap your institution’s multidisciplinary threat assessment team (TAT) or experts from that team.

• Ensure the team is trained in behavioral threat assessment models, such as those developed by the Secret Service and Department of Education. Threat assessment is a distinct science that isn’t part of the training curriculum law enforcement or mental health practitioners receive, so simply having these credentials on your team doesn’t guarantee expertise. Specialized training is necessary.

Screen events for risk factors.

• Evaluate speaker history, expected audience, and potential for protest or counter-protest.
• Flag events with controversial content or high-profile guests for additional review.

Gather intelligence.

• Monitor social media and campus chatter for signs of agitation or planned disruptions. Given the vastness of social media and online activity, working with local or federal law enforcement can be helpful. They may be able to share information about people or groups they are monitoring.

Assess threats.

• Consider factors such as fixation on violence, access to weapons, and recent stressors when reviewing specific people to determine whether they’re on the pathway to violence.
• Determine if intervention strategies are needed prior to or during the event.

Develop event-specific safety plans.

• Coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency services for coverage during the event.
• Implement access controls, bag checks, and designated protest zones.
• Prepare for rapid response, including lockdown or evacuation protocols.

Communicate clearly.

• Inform attendees of behavioral expectations and emergency procedures.
• Provide staff and volunteers with training on de-escalation and incident reporting.
• Ensure your crisis communication plan details the campus response for a crisis at an event.

Conduct a post-event review.

• Debrief with event planners to evaluate what worked and what needs improvement.
• Document lessons learned to refine future planning.

More From UE

Checklist: Handling Controversial Speakers on Campus

Responding to Controversial Events on Campus: A United Educators Symposium

Crisis Response: A Library of Tabletop Exercises (Active Shooter, Campus Demonstration)

Additional Resources

Secret Service: National Threat Assessment Center