Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I should contact the threat assessment team or if other campus resources are more appropriate to handle it?

When in doubt, we encourage you to contact the Threat Assessment Director.  A member of your campus threat assessment team can talk with you about the situation you are concerned about, and can help you understand whether the threat assessment team or a different Georgetown University office should be involved.

What qualifications do threat assessment team members have?

All members of Georgetown’s threat assessment teams are professionals in their respective fields and were selected to serve on a team for their expertise and their ability to help handle a variety of situations and concerns.  All team members are trained in best practices for campus threat assessment and violence prevention.  The Director of Threat Assessment, Dr. Marisa Randazzo, is a national expert on threat assessment and violence prevention.  She has co-authored two books on best practices in campus threat assessment and has served on national expert panels on violence prevention.

Who can make a referral?

Anyone can alert the threat assessment team to a threat or a troubling situation occurring at or that could affect Georgetown University.  You don’t have to be a member of the Georgetown University to alert us to a concern.

What happens after I make the referral?

When you make a referral, someone from the threat assessment team will speak with you about the concerning situation.  The team will gather facts about the situation from various individuals and sources, then the team will analyze the information to see if there is a threat posed. In situations where there is a threat posed, the team will work with university offices and others to take necessary steps to reduce risk, help provide support to all who need it, and maintain safety.  The goal of the threat assessment process is to ensure the safety of the campus community and of all involved.