Talking Stick - July/August 2011 - 45

THIS IS A CHALLENGE FOR MANY INSTITUTIONS: HOW DO YOU MOBILIZE A THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE TWO OR THREE PEOPLE CAPABLE OF SUCH A TASK? . . . COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, AND DILIGENCE IS KEY.

will elaborate a little on the SBT, which is very similar to Webster’s BIT as described by John. We were developed in 2006 as a way to assess student behavior on campus and discuss individual incidents and potential threats (code of student conduct, housing policies, counseling needs, university police investigations). The team is composed of representatives from university police (chief and assistant chief), housing and student life, and the counseling center, as well as the vice chancellor for student affairs. We, too, are designed to be quick-forming and nimble, as described by John, and to serve as the main threat assessment team. However, when we are dealing with an individual student regarding threat assessment (behavioral issues on campus, in the classroom, etc. that are deemed threatening) we shrink in size to only a few members of the team: those who are closely related to the incident and have the ability to assess and make recommendations. As an example, we had a student at our College of Technology who was exhibiting some threatening behavior toward his instructor and other students. The interim chief of university police, one counselor, and I formed a quick response team to address that individual issue. The student was temporarily suspended and was required to go through an external threat assessment prior to coming back to school. So, our SBT can be nimble enough to form a small team to assess threats. Our campus is small, and staff resources are scarce (small housing staff, only two mental health

counselors and both are part time, no dean of students, etc.). Therefore, the SBT is made up of those people who would be heavily involved in the investigation and review of each and every incident, including potential threat. But they have other jobs as well. This is a challenge for many institutions: How do you mobilize a threat assessment team when you only have two or three people capable of such a task? That could be a blessing (less politics, red tape, up and down management, etc.), but it could hamper the quick response and full-scale review of an incident. Communication, training, and diligence is key. I know that legal counsel for many colleges and universities have different thoughts about teams such as these and about appropriate record keeping and response; this is something we are still reviewing. Add the “Dear Colleague” letter (Title IX and sexual harassment/violence) from the Department of Education and the Ofﬁce for Civil Rights and you now may need to add the Title IX coordinator to the team – or when you are dealing with sexual assault or harassment cases.

conduct ofﬁcer, and a housing representative to make initial referrals to the team or to make initial determinations. This allows for an independent review that helps us avoid “group think” mentality. We are currently reviewing the size of the team to determine how to maximize our efforts.

Paula Bland: University of Colorado,
Boulder has formed a group named the Behavioral Consultation Team to receive reports from any member of the university community: faculty, staff, or students. Members of the community are asked to report to the dean of students any situation or concern where a student’s behavior indicates possible harm to self or others. The purpose of the team is to identify those students, develop a strategy to address the concerns, and help the student get back on track to succeed in the university community. Should the behavior warrant a separation from the university, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the team can also help determine the conditions which would need to be met for the student to return to campus. A case manager is assigned the situation and begins an investigation. Currently, the director of residence life is assigned as the case manager for all the cases involving students who live in a residence hall. While the director of residence life is the overall case manager, other residence life staff will most likely be involved in the intervention with the student. Usually the hall director will meet with the student, or the director of residence life and the hall director will meet
JULY + AUGUST 2011

DeShields: Especially during tough
budgetary times, ﬁnding appropriate resources for the teams is difﬁcult, but very important. We have established a larger team made up of a faculty representative, human resources, ofﬁce of equal opportunity, chief of staff, disability services, diversity center, and others but keep our core team to the senior director of counseling, police captain, senior

Talking Stick - July/August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - July/August 2011