09:26:00 Behavioral Intervention Team

PURPOSE

Students, faculty, staff or non-affiliated people on campus formed the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) in 2007 to assess potentially violent behavior or violent threats. It is believed that the best way to learn of and prevent a threat is through extensive communication between administrators and members of the campus community.

POLICY

Students and staff are encouraged to report any suspicious or questionable behaviors, particularly those of potential violence, to the Campus Police department, a campus security authority (CSA), their appropriate supervisor, or any member of the behavioral intervention team.  Should a significant and credible threat to the college, or a portion of the college, exist, legal and protective measures will be taken and information shared among the behavioral intervention team and, if warranted, with the campus community regarding the threat and any crime prevention steps.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

The behavioral intervention team seeks to improve the safety and security of the college through a multi-disciplinary approach to identifying, managing and monitoring persons and situations that may pose a threat to the members of the college community. The goal of the team is to provide early intervention to prevent or eliminate the potential for violence and provide support and resources to persons referred to the team who may need help. The team fosters a culture of reporting threats across the college and provides guidelines for college faculty and staff at the following link: https://www.ws.edu/student-services/campus-safety/behavioral-intervention/index.aspx

The Vice President for Student Services leads the behavioral intervention team. As authorized by the president of the college the following individuals share the responsibility for threat assessment and threat assessment duties:

1. Vice President for Student Services
2. Vice President for Academic Affairs
3. Executive Director of Human Resources
4. Chief and/or Director of Campus Police
5. Assistant Vice President of Student Support Services
6. Counseling and Testing Staff - Greeneville
7. Counseling and Testing Staff - Sevierville
8. Counseling and Testing Staff - Morristown
9. Director of Multicultural Engagement
10. Director of Disability Services
11. Dean of Public Safety
12. IET Representative

The Tennessee Board of Regents legal staff provide legal counsel/consultation.

MEETING SCHEDULE

The behavioral intervention team meets each semester or as needed based on information or reports received. The vice president for Student Services establishes the meeting schedule and will inform all members of the time and location of meetings.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION TEAM RECORDS

The behavioral intervention team shall maintain records for all threat assessment cases and all follow-up reports that result from threat assessment meetings according to the college privacy policy. These records will be maintained in the office of Student Services and/or Campus Police, containing information received from other campus offices/personnel.

10/19; 09/23