Behavioral Intervention Team
Purpose
The purpose of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is to intervene early, provide support and be a resource to members of the college community who have concerns about a student’s behavior. Based upon referrals and reports, the Behavioral Intervention Team assesses, plans and implements intervention strategies to assist students, staff and faculty before a crisis occurs.
Behavioral Intervention is not intended as a punitive function but as a resource to support students, staff and faculty. Student Conduct violations will be handled following the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook (Student Conduct Procedures). The work of the Behavioral Intervention Team is not intended to replace the current college disciplinary process and/or faculty classroom management.
The Behavioral Intervention Team is a team that meets regularly to serve major functions for the campus:
- Act proactively manner to assist students, staff, or faculty
- Maintain confidentiality and handle all matters discreetly
- Connect students with needed resources
- Recommend interventions
- Devise a plan for follow-up and monitoring
- Provide consultation and support to faculty and staff
Behavior Intervention Team
The campus Dean of Students serves as the chair of the Behavioral Intervention Team and coordinates outreach to students to offer assistance and connect them with on and off-campus resources. The team will be composed of representatives from faculty, campus police, advisors, housing and residence life staff, and other appointed staff.
Assistance for Faculty and Staff
If a faculty or staff member needs more information or assistance for a student; the staff member should contact the Dean of Students, Academic Dean or Dean of Career and Technical Education for support. Specific strategies may be for the faculty or staff member to address the concern or submission of a Behavioral Reporting Form for further assessment and follow-up by the BIT.
What to Report
Any behavior that disrupts the mission or learning environment of the college or causes concern for a student’s well-being should be reported. This includes:
- Overly aggressive behaviors toward others; inability to set limits or re-direct focus
- Poor decision-making and coping skills
- Inappropriate or strange behavior
- Low frustration tolerance, acting out inappropriately
- Overreaction to circumstances
- Distracting the learning process
- The student demonstrates an inability to care for oneself
- The student discloses personal issues that are impeding their ability to participate in an educational program
- Alarming changes in hygiene or personal appearance
- Extended absence from class or work by a typically engaged student
- Making disturbing comments in writing
- Any other behaviors of concern
- Campus police should be notified about any behaviors involving weapons
How To Report
The intake process must have a “triage” component to determine whether referrals rise to the level of behavioral intervention. Not all referrals result in actionable outcomes. Some referrals will be for information purposes only.
Be cautious that day-to-day responsibilities do not become Behavioral Intervention Team issues.
Examples include:
- Classroom management issues.
- Code of Conduct violations not associated with a behavior that qualifies as a Behavioral Information Team referral.
Submit A Report
Please complete the behavior reporting form. An acknowledgment will be sent to the originator of the behavior form when it is received in the BIT email inbox.
FAQs
Anyone can report a concern about a student. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the Behavioral Reporting Form or contact the Dean of Students.
Whenever possible, you should express your concern(s) directly with the student. However, should you have any concerns about your safety or the safety of others, your best course of action for the safety of all involved is to access intervention from people who are trained in these areas.
You can always contact your campus Dean of Students for consultation on a concern. The Dean of Students can provide tips, ideas, and resources on how to approach a situation.
You are registering a concern based on an observed behavior (e.g., verbal exchange, action, etc.), not making a determination. By alerting the appropriate campus representatives, a professional determination can be made. Let the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) weigh the information and see if gathering more information is warranted.
Although the action/outcome will depend upon the situation, the BIT will intervene in support of the person of concern, as well as in support of college policies and procedures.
BIT will address every report that is brought to the committee. Interventions by BIT members typically involve the handling of confidential information, individuals who submit reports will not necessarily know the resolution of a situation. If you continue to have concerns about the situation, please contact your campus Dean of Students.
You are encouraged to identify yourself because this may assist the BIT if clarification or additional information is needed.
Submitting your name also gives your report more credence. Anonymous entries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Also, keep in mind a student cannot face the disciplinary process without being provided the evidence and the complaint being made against them.
BIT will attempt to handle all matters discreetly. In most cases, we would expect that the student has been notified of your concern (for example, academic dishonesty rulings, classroom disruptions, code of conduct violations). A reported student will be given specific information about the behaviors/actions that occurred so they can respond to what has been reported. Therefore, a student may know who made the report through the circumstances described to them.
The reports are managed by the Dean of Students and reviewed by the BIT members when necessary.
Student Disciplinary Records which include records related to the Student Code of Conduct and records related to the Academic Integrity Policy are considered part of a student’s educational record. Such records are maintained following the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
We welcome all questions and suggestions. To do so, please contact the campus Dean of Students or any other member of the Behavioral Intervention Team.