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Behavioral Assessment Team

Dealing with Disruptive Student Behavior

Polices and Procedures

Texas Woman's University provides a procedure for the referral, evaluation, and appropriate disposition of students displaying disruptive behavior. Personnel of all departments of the University should refer students displaying disruptive behavior(s) that is not imminently dangerous to the office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life for review and appropriate referral and disposition (see Flowchart for Non-Imminent Danger Reports).  Behavior that poses an imminent risk of danger to anyone must be reported immediately to the Department of Public Safety. 

Annual Review of Policy and Procedures

This policy and procedures will be reviewed annually by the Behavioral Assessment Team composed of the Directors of the University Counseling Center, the Department of University Housing, Student Health Services, Disability Support Services, the Department of Public Safety, and a designee from Academic Affairs and the Associate Vice President for Student Life.

Definitions

• Disruptive behaviors are overt actions, omissions to act, or verbal or written statements that would not be consistent with the actions or statements of a reasonable, prudent person under similar circumstances.
• Disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to, behaviors resulting from possible physical, drug-related, or psychiatric disorders which may pose a potential harm to the physical or emotional well being of the student or others, and/or cause significant disruption to the normal functions and activities of the University.
• Disruptive behavior typically refers to directly observable behavior.  But, it may also include a student’s behavior by electronic means (e.g. e-mail, social networking sights, postings to electronic classrooms, etc.) as well.

Procedures for Imminent Danger Situations

Anyone thought to be in imminent danger of harm to self or others, regardless of the reason, should be reported immediately to the TWU Department of Public Safety, if the
person is physically on the TWU Campus.  If someone is not physically on TWU property, the local law enforcement agency should be called.

Procedures for Non-Imminent Danger Situations

• The Associate Vice President for Student Life shall be notified by faculty, staff, or students of any instance where a student demonstrates disruptive behavior. The Associate Vice President Student Life, following the Flowchart, will make a decision concerning the appropriate initial disposition of the event.  If the decision is made to bring this information to the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT), the Associate Vice President for Student Life will present the case to the Behavioral Assessment Team to review and evaluate the student’s behavior. The Associate Vice President for Student Life also retains the right to determine that behavior, while not imminently dangerous, is egregious enough to warrant an emergency suspension and may take the necessary steps to implement that suspension.  Due process following the emergency suspension will be followed, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.

• If the BAT reviews the case and, as a result, decides it is deemed in the best interest of the student and/or the University that the student be withdrawn from the University, every effort will be made to facilitate the student’s voluntary withdrawal in accordance with established University procedures. However, if the student is unwilling to voluntarily withdraw and it is determined that the student’s behavior is disruptive to normal University functions, and/or presents a threat of harm or bodily injury to herself/himself or others, the BAT may recommend to the Associate Vice President for Student Life that the student be temporarily suspended from the University in accordance with item number 3 under Sanctions Against Misconduct in the student handbook.  As part of the recommendation to withdraw the student from the university, the BAT will provide recommendations for any conditions the student may need to meet to return to school.  The Associate Vice President for Student Life can modify those recommendations in any necessary manner.

• If the Associate Vice President for Student Life concurs with this recommendation, the student will be temporarily suspended, until a hearing can be held to determine whether the suspension should be sustained and to deliver to the student any required conditions for reinstatement. This hearing will be conducted as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

• When a student is suspended, a registration hold will be placed on the student’s readmission to the University. This registration hold will remain in the student’s records until the Associate Vice President for Student Life approves the student’s request for readmission.

• If it is determined at this hearing that the student should not be reinstated, the Associate Vice President for Student Life will send a letter to the student and/or guardian reiterating the reasons for the involuntary withdrawal as well as the conditions for reinstatement.

• The student may request, through the Associate Vice President for Student Life, to return to the University after the conditions as outlined in the hearing and follow-up

letter have been met and has complied with the procedures specified under Enforcement of Regulations in the student handbook.

Readmission Procedures and Appeals

• A student who has had a registration hold placed on her/his readmission must request readmission clearance from the Vice President for Student Life’s office at least four weeks prior to the first day of classes of the semester or summer session in which the student wishes to re-enroll. The student may be required by the Associate Vice President for Student Life to submit appropriate evidence supportive of her/his present ability to function properly in a university environment. The Associate Vice President for Student Life, in consultation with the BAT, shall evaluate the student’s request and supporting evidence. Primary consideration will be given to satisfying all conditions specified at the time of suspension or withdrawal for the readmission of the student to the University. If approval is granted by the Associate Vice President for Student Life for the removal of the registration hold, the student must then complete the regular readmission procedure as required by the Office of Enrollment Management.

• If approval for readmission is not granted, the student may appeal that decision to the Vice President for Student Life. The appeal must be made in writing within seventy-two (72) hours of the date the student was notified by the Associate Vice President for Student Life that her/his request for readmission was denied.

Responding to Non-Emergency and Non-Disruptive Behavior

In some cases, a student may come to the attention of faculty, staff, or other students who may seem to be in need of non-emergency medical or psychological assistance.  In these cases, the behavior is neither indicative of imminent danger nor is it disruptive to university functions. 

Faculty, staff, and students may remind these students of the Student Health Service and Counseling Center services that are available.  During office hours, students may be brought directly to these offices for services.  However, it is critical to remember that these services are not meant to substitute for or avoid the appropriate reporting of disruptive behavior as outlined above. 

Faculty, staff, and students may consult with staff of the Student Health Service and/or the Counseling Center regarding concerns they may have about situations involving a student.  If, in the judgment of the Student Health Service or Counseling Center staff member, the situation appears to rise to the level of disruptive behavior, the caller will be advised to file a report with the Associate Vice President for Student Life in addition to any other actions they wish to take.

Threat Assessment Policy

The Threat Assessment Policy outlines procedures for the referral, evaluation, and appropriate disposition of students displaying disruptive behavior in all University settings including online behavior.  All referrals relating to disruptive or threatening behavior should be made to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life or to the TWU Department of Public Safety (TWU police).

This policy will outline the following:

• Identification and involvement of the University Behavioral Assessment Team
• Procedures for reporting behavioral issues
• Reporting responsibilities expected of the University Community
• Process for submitting reports   

Behavioral Assessment Team

The Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT) is composed of the following individuals:

Associate Vice President for Student Life
Designee from Academic Affairs
Director of the Counseling Center
Director of the Student Health Center
Director of University Housing
Department of Public Safety Chief of Police
Director of Disability Support Services
Other units may be called in on a case by case basis, i.e. Human Resources, Technology Services, etc.

Key objectives for the team

• Develop intervention strategies to deal with violence, threats and disruptive behavior
• Serve as a review team for cases referred by the Associate Vice President for Student Life

Responsibilities

The Associate Vice President for Student Life will convene the Behavioral Assessment Team biweekly or as needed.  When notified of a threat or act of violence, the team will initiate a full and prompt investigation.

Based on the investigation, the team will recommend one of the following actions:

• No further action is needed
• Additional information should be gathered to evaluate the threat
• Refer to the University Code of Conduct Process to initiate appropriate disciplinary action
• Refer to the legal system to initiate appropriate criminal proceedings

Reports regarding the disposition of the incident will be conveyed to the affected reporting individual(s), whenever possible.

Reporting Threats and Acts of Violence

All members of the university community are encouraged to be alert to the possibility of violent acts on the part of employees, students, former employers, visitors, contractors, or others. 
Each time a faculty or staff member becomes aware of a threat, intimidating conduct, or an act of violence, she/he must report the incident to the TWU Police or the Office of Student Life. If there is perceived imminent danger, always contact the TWU Police immediately. 

In an effort to promote a safer campus environment, employees or students who are the victims of domestic violence, or who believe they may be the recipients of such violence, are encouraged to promptly notify the TWU police.  Faculty, staff, or students who have Protective Orders should provide copies to the TWU police to ensure appropriate law enforcement actions.  Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent provided by the law. 

Responsibilities for Departments/Units and Faculty/Staff

It is the responsibility of every department/unit and faculty/staff to:

• Be familiar with the University Code of Conduct, accessed on the Student Life website, http://www.twu.edu/o-sl/StudentLifeOffice/StudentCodeofConduct.html;
• Report any conduct violations (including threats or perceived threats) to the Associate Vice President for Student Life and/or the TWU Police; and
• Cooperate with the Associate Vice President for Student Life and the Behavioral Assessment Team to implement recommended action to mitigate the threat.

 Note: Any report of violence or threats of violence will be handled in a confidential manner with information released only on a need-to-know basis.  

Process for Submitting Reports

If there is perceived imminent danger:   Contact the Department of Public Safety (TWU police) at 940-898-2911 immediately. This number should be used for the Denton, Dallas and Houston campuses. The police dispatcher will contact the appropriate agencies to deal with the incident.
Note: The TWU police dispatcher is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
 
If you are concerned about a student but you do not believe that the situation poses imminent danger:  Contact the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life at 940-898-3615 or complete a Student Life Incident Report (SLIR) form that can be accessed on the Student Life website http://www.twu.edu/o-sl/StudentLifeOffice/forms.html.

• Questions regarding behavior can be emailed to the Associate Vice President for Student Life.  However, if an incident has occurred, faculty and staff should not simply email or voicemail their concerns but also complete a written SLIR. 
• The email and/or SLIR will be reviewed by the Associate Vice President for Student Life or her/his designee. 
• The faculty or staff member who submits the information will receive an acknowledgement from the Office of the Associate Vice President confirming that appropriate responses have been or are being made. 
• Faculty or staff submitting a SLIR should not expect detailed information about the disposition of their submission because the issue may involve due process or confidentiality rights of the student. 
• Before submitting the SLIR, faculty and staff may consult with the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life or other appropriate offices on campus (e.g. Counseling Center, TWU Police, Student Health Service, department chair, etc.).  However, making a report to the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life may still be required following the consultation. 
• Once a SLIR is submitted, the Associate Vice President for Student Life will determine what steps need to be followed.  These could include: speaking with the student; gathering additional evidence or information by interviewing members of the TWU community; compiling additional documentation; referral to the Student Code of Conduct Committee; referral to the Behavioral Assessment Team; or other steps as deemed necessary. 
• Faculty and staff should submit additional reports as new concerns arise or as behavior is repeated, even if they have done so before. A single incident may be insufficient to take action but a pattern of incidents may require an institutional response.