Behavioral Intervention Team

The BIT is a group of trained campus professionals who respond to reports of student behavior that is disruptive, erratic, self-injurious, or potentially threatening to others. Their intervention promotes the academic and personal success of students and the safety of the campus community.

Any action taken by the BIT aims to protect the campus community while optimizing the outcome for the individual student.

 

What actions will the BIT take?

While an intervention plan will be created on a case-by-case basis, potential courses of action may include:

• follow-up contact with the student by professional staff or faculty
• mandatory referral to the Counseling Center or external mental health professional
• voluntary or involuntary transport to hospital
• university disciplinary charges
• continued police investigation or criminal charges
• removal from university housing summary suspension (immediate removal from university)
• no further action

Other possible follow-up actions may include:

• communication, when appropriate, with the referrer of the concerning behavior
• review and/or revision of policies

When should I refer someone?

The BIT was established to handle serious behavioral issues exhibited by students. It is not meant to replace the normal care and concern routinely provided to our students by our faculty, staff, and other students. Typically, behaviors that threaten safety or cause a significant community disruption should be referred to the BIT. In contrast, students who experience mental health issues should be referred to the USCA Counseling Center.

However, when in doubt, the best action is to report the behavior to the BIT.

Referrals

How do I refer someone to the BIT?

• In an emergency, University Police should be called at 6111 (or 803-648-4011 from a cell or off-campus phone).
• If the situation does not need to be addressed immediately, the chair or any member of the BIT should be called OR a BIT Incident Report should be completed online. The BIT incident report is immediately sent to all members of the BIT.

Submit BIT Incident Report

What happens after a referral is made?

Once a referral is received by the BIT, the following actions are taken:

• review and discussion of the incident report/phone call and integration of information from any previous reports on that student
• assessment of the threat/risk to student and others and development of a path forward
• development and coordination of an intervention plan for the student, if warranted
• monitoring of ongoing behavior of the student and implementation of additional action as necessary

BIT brochure