Behavioral Intervention Team
The COS Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) provides confidential support for students who may be in crisis or exhibiting signs of crisis or concern. The information gathered from our referrals will help inform proactive processes regarding the health and well-being of our campus community.
Students, community members, and faculty can make referrals. If you are concerned about a student's well-being, the BIT is a resource for both the student and yourself. Please go to the Referral Form to begin the referral process. The Behavioral Intervention Team process does not replace faculty classroom management, disciplinary procedures, or local law enforcement responses to incidents.
Our Mission
The BIT addresses behaviors that raise concern for the health and safety of individuals and the campus community. The BIT uses a holistic framework of assistance, prevention, proactive support, and empowerment for student success.
Essential functions to support the mission include the following:
- Provide a structure for an effective method of identifying behaviors that impact students' health, wellness, and success.
- Determine the appropriate tools, resources, or support to respond to all referrals and prevent isolated and patterned behaviors from escalating.
- Create an established protocol and transparent referral process for incidents of concern.
- Collect information from the campus community about individuals who demonstrate - through current or past behavior, conduct, or expression - that they may pose a risk to themselves or the campus community.
- Evaluate the nature of and respond to all referrals to this group.
- Coordinate resources and follow-up communication to ensure a comprehensive response plan.
- Promote campus health, wellness, and student success by fostering a culture of empowerment, support, and intervention.
- Inform training and professional development opportunities around health, wellness, and student success.
- Assess, evaluate, and evolve team functions and protocol as best practices are identified and refined.
Process
- Receive information about students of concern and discuss concerning behaviors
- Maintain confidentiality and handle all matters discreetly
- Provide consultation, support, and response to faculty and staff
- Intervene and connect students with resources; take other necessary measures to address concerns
- Coordinate follow-up. Ensure that services and resources are deployed effectively.
Who are the Members of BIT
- Director, Student Housing & Student Life (Lead)
- VP Student Services
- Counselor
- Director of Basecamp Support Services
- Director of Student Access Services (SAS)
- Director of Admissions & Records (A&R)
- Director of TRiO
- Other support areas are called in when needed
What to Report to the BIT
In general, any behavior that disrupts the mission or learning environment of the college or causes concern for a student's well-being:
- Concerns about a student's well-being
- Distressed or disturbed behavior
- Unusual occurrences
- Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable; something does not seem right
Reporting Options
- Emergency Situations: If you feel threatened, or the person may pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, call 911 to reach law enforcement.
- Behavior Intervention Referral Form: If you have any concerns about a student, we encourage you to submit a BIT Referral Form (link to new form).
- Incident Report Form: You can submit this form via email to the Student Services Office.
- Consultation: Please call or email us at the Student Services Office, (530) 938-5374 or StudentServices@siskiyous.edu for BIT Resources.
Still not sure if it is a BIT?
Typical Situations
| Conduct |
BIT |
| A student gets angry over a grade on an assignment and throws the book at the instructor. |
The student seems disengaged in class some days and has erratic behavior and irregular attendance as well. Instructor feels they may be using drugs or alcohol excessively. |
| Student does not like the result of his financial aid appeal and verbally abuses front window staff as a result. |
Student became despondent after learning she was ineligible for Pell. Stated suicidal remarks as a result. |
| Two students claiming they were harassed/ stalked to the point where they had to drop out of school. The accused is also a part-time student. |
A woman with salt and pepper hair was referred to basic needs from counseling. The woman became agitated when asked questions to help determine what the woman needed help with. Woman left upset saying COS staff did not know how to do her job. The woman held a bandana over her mouth while talking and would not identify herself in any way. |
One purpose of BIT is to prevent behaviors that could turn into conduct.
If you still are not sure - go ahead and submit a BIT form and we will assess and refer accordingly
How to Report to the BIT
Behavioral Intervention Referral Form
Potential Outcomes of BIT
The BIT may:
- Assist faculty or staff in developing a plan of action
- Refer the student to existing on-campus support resources
- Refer the student to appropriate community resources
- Recommend no action pending further observation / monitoring
- Make recommendations consistent with college policies and procedures
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you feel threatened, or the person may pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, call 911 to reach law enforcement.
There are several types of referrals available:
- BIT referrals: BIT referrals should relate to concerns about a student who may be exhibiting concerning behavior or signs of crisis. This may include signs of mental health issues, suicidal ideation (at-risk of suicide), and personal situations (homelessness, food insecurity, etc.).
- Conduct: Conduct issues should be reported to the college's Student Conduct Officer.
- Title IX: Concerns regarding sexual abuse, harassment, or assault should be reported to the college's Title IX Officer (Kristi Wilson: kwilson26@siskiyous.edu) and the local Police.
- Accident: Any time there is an injury on campus, including during a class, please complete the Accident form.
- Academic: Concerns about poor academic performance or attendance should be referred to Counseling Services.
When you make a referral, the BIT members will receive a campus email.
- BIT members are on duty each week and will respond to referrals within 24 hours or sooner, depending on the urgency of the reported situation. BIT members will meet quickly as needed for referrals that require an urgent response. Otherwise, the team meets weekly to review the status of referrals in progress, and actions are taken to support the students and assess (or re-assess) the crisis level.
- Additional information may be collected from the referring party or by others.
- The BIT members will determine the appropriate intervention plan and action.
- The BIT Members will provide you feedback as appropriate and consistent with COS policies and state and federal regulations.
Typically, when the BIT receives a referral, the student is contacted via email and phone by the case manager, who informs them that we received a referral because someone on campus cares and is worried about the student's well-being. We will ask you if it is OK to let the student know who made the referral. Otherwise, the referral is kept anonymous and confidential.
- The situation will be investigated.
- Support will be provided to the student and referring party.
- Inappropriate behavior will be addressed.
- Referrals provide valuable information to COS regarding the health and safety of our campus.
You will receive a confirmation email that we have received your referral as soon as you submit the document. We will notify you within the limitations of COS, state and federal regulations of the outcome of the referral.
Contact BIT
Patrick Walton
Email: pwalton@siskiyous.edu
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