What should I do if I am concerned about a student’s behavior?
There are times where you might see or hear behavior which is concerning to you and you might not know what to do with the information. Through the Dean of Students’ Office, a group of university community members was formed to vet information pertaining to student behavioral concerns.
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)
The Team’s purpose is to be a resource to members of the University community who have a concern about a student’s behavior and need the opportunity to consult with professionals who deal with behavioral issues on a more frequent basis. The BIT provides an organized and coordinated method of assessment of the severity of an incident or situation affecting the University community. The BIT determines the need for intervention, identification and activation of appropriate resources and responses, ongoing monitoring, and evaluation of responses and outcomes.
Composition
The team is coordinated by the Dean of Students and currently includes representatives of the Offices of Student Conduct; General Counsel; Provost; Counseling and Testing; University Safety; Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services; Case Worker; Institutional Equity and Compliance; and two faculty representatives. Please see the BIT website for membership.
Referral behavior
Examples of incidents and situations that are addressed by the Team include classroom disruption, behaviors that may pose a threat to the physical safety or well-being of individuals or groups, and conflicts among individuals or groups that have the potential to escalate and pose a disruption to elements of the University community
Referrals
Any member of the University community can contact a member of the BIT with a concern. The team member may be able to address the concern without engaging the BIT or may consult with particular other members of the team to alleviate the particular situation. The individual member may present the situation at the next team meeting to gain a critique of the response, obtain additional guidance, or to enlist monitoring of an ongoing issue or concern.
Referrals can be made utilizing the following incident report form linked from the Dean of Students’ website. Additionally, they can be made directly to the Dean of Students.
Meetings
The team meets weekly at 10:00 AM every Wednesday when classes are in session. The agenda is fluid and is coordinated by the Dean of Students.
Dean of Student's Office-Behavioral Intervention Team
Plaster Student Union 405
DeanofStudentsOffice@missouristate.edu
417-836-5527