Introduction:  The health, safety and well being of individuals who make up the Furman community are a high priority for the University.  For this reason, policies have been created to address student problems and concerns that interfere with successful engagement in campus life.

National trends have shown that mental health issues and alcohol and drug abuse are growing concerns that are better managed with preventive measures and early interventions.  Recent high profile instances of violence on college campuses have resulted in enhanced emergency response and intervention mechanisms intended to prevent the occurrence of such events.  In light of these issues in higher education, Furman has in place a cross-functional Behavior Intervention Team to address concerns that arise with individual students.

Purpose:  The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) is a group of administrators and staff who work closely with students who are struggling within the academic or social environment at Furman.  The team works to coordinate university resources to assist students who are at risk academically, or who exhibit maladaptive behavior or signs of emotional distress.  The team also identifies students who have either experienced personal loss or failures while enrolled or who may be a danger to themselves or others within the Furman community.  The team develops intervention plans for each individual student based on the problems and concerns identified.

Team Composition:

• Vice President of Student Life, Chair
• Associate Academic Dean
• Assistant Academic Dean
• Director of Public Safety
• Director of the Counseling Center
• Director of Student Health Services
• Director of Housing and Residence Life
• Student Life Coordinator
• University Chaplain

Other Web Resources:

• Furman University's Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (SHARP) Committee
• Furman University's Substance Abuse Coalition (FUSAC)
• Furman University's Student Handbook
• Division of Student Life
• Counseling Center
• Student Health Services
• Public Safety

BIT Procedures

• Students may be identified for monitoring by the BIT team or by faculty, staff or other students at the University.  In other words, ANYONE can make a referral to the BIT.
• If someone believes there is an immediate threat of self harm or harm to others, they should call Public Safety at 864.294.2111.
• There are three parts to the BIT process:  1) Student Alert System (Early Warning System); 2) crisis/behavior intervention; and 3) threat assessment.
• The Assistant Academic Dean's Office and the Student Life Office serve as the initial contacts when concerns arise about a student's behavior or when a member of the community learns of a  life change or incident that is affecting a student's ability to function appropriately or productively in the university environment, either inside or outside the classroom.
• The BIT will take the information provided and make a decision about whether the student should be assessed further.
• If the team determines the student needs intervention, the student will be contacted by an assigned member of the team to initiate conversations about how to assist the student and assess the level of threat noted.
• All matters discussed with the BIT are regarded as highly confidential.
• The Counseling Center and Student Health Services representatives on the team do not comment on specific student matters, but serve as a resource for the team in determining general intervention strategies and providing professional mental and physical health consultation.

Student Alert System (SAS)

• The SAS (previously named the Early Warning System) is a procedure to report students of concern in order that early intervention may occur.
• Typical classroom issues which should be reported include:  multiple class absences; pattern of lateness to class or with assignments; missing tests/exams; lack of responsiveness in class; disturbing personal disclosures in class assignments.  These should be reported initially to the Assistant Academic Dean's Office.
• Typical outside classroom issues which should be reported include:  socially inappropriate behavior; alcohol or drug abuse; significant health concerns that interfere with daily functioning; disclosure of significant family or relationship issues; signs of a lack of connection or integration in the University community; or sudden, alarming changes in behavior.  These should be reported initially to the Student Life Coordinator.

Crisis/Behavior Intervention

The BIT deals with matters of crisis, disturbing behavior, and medical and mental health  situations in order to propose appropriate responses and interventions.  Situations of acute crisis typically result in immediate follow up with the student of concern. 

Threat Assessment

The BIT assists in assessing threatening situations and developing risk abatement plans that minimize the potential for violence.  Leaders of the University's Crisis Management Team may also be consulted in extreme incidents.  Self-injurious behaviors/suicide ideation or attempt; erratic behaviors that disrupt the normal proceedings of the University and/or situations in which hospitalization are required will be considered matters of highest concern and in need of immediate University response and intervention.