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Behavioral Intervention

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) has been created to identify, investigate, assess, refer, monitor, and take action in response to behaviors exhibited by York students that may pose a threat to the college community.

Anyone who is concerned about a student and their behavior can make a BIT referral; including students, parents, faculty and staff, and other community members. As a result of a referral to BIT, the BIT will assess the situation and make recommendations for action. Such actions may range from a counseling or academic support referral to removal of the student from the college community by means of the appropriate University process. When appropriate, BIT will refer students, not deemed to be high risk, to campus resources and services that will enable them to remain in good standing at York.

Mission

The Behavioral Intervention Team's mission is to:

  • Balance the individual needs of the student with those of the greater campus community
  • Provide a structured method for addressing student behaviors that impact the college community and may involve mental health and/or safety issues
  • Manage each case individually 
  • Initiate appropriate intervention without resorting to punitive measures
  • Eliminate "fragmented care"

Please know the success of this process hinges on the community's commitment to reporting concerns.

Reportable Behaviors

There are 3 categories of student behavior that BIT addresses:

  • Self-Injurious behavior/ suicidal ideation or attempt.
  • Erratic behavior (including online activities) that disrupts the mission and/or normal proceedings of college students, faculty, or staff.
  • Behavior that may compromise the health and safety of students, staff, faculty, or the general college community.

The following are examples of behaviors that should be reported:

  • Emotional outbursts (yelling or screaming or anger management issues)
  • Verbal or written threats of any nature
  • Intimidating or harassing others including disturbing or threatening phone calls, text messages, emails, Facebook postings, etc.
  • Disruptive behavior on campus (including in classrooms)
  • Concerns of physical abuse of students including self-mutilation
  • Concerns of intimate relationship violence, family violence, spousal abuse
  • Involuntary transportation to the hospital for alcohol and drug use/abuse
  • Material, written or spoken, in coursework suggesting possibly harming self or others
  • Written or verbal expressions of suicidal thoughts or actions

Make a Report (BIT)

Please provide a detailed description of the incident or the nature of your concern

For All Emergencies, Call Public Safety At 718-262-2222

By Phone

Public Safety at 718-262-2222 or Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at 718-262-2331. When in doubt, call Public Safety

Important! Behaviors that warrant immediate reporting to Campus Public Safety instead of submitting this form:

  • Student displays or allegedly is carrying a weapon of any kind
  • Student threatens harm to self or others (including a written indication of harm or suicide)
  • Assault of any nature including sexual assault

BIT Referral FAQs

NOTE: Never promise confidentiality to student(s) during initial referral. Typically, behaviors that pose a possible threat to safety or that cause a significant community disruption qualify as cases for BIT, while students who experience other mental health issues are appropriate referrals to the Counseling Center in AC-1G03. 

Protocol

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) protocol ensures that critical student behaviors that may be a concern to the campus community are addressed appropriately.

There are 3 categories of student behavior that BIT addresses: 

  • Self-Injurious behavior/ suicidal ideation or attempt.
  • Erratic behavior (including online activities) that disrupts the mission and/or normal proceedings of college students, faculty, or staff.
  • Behavior that posses the potential compromise of health and safety of students, staff, faculty, staff or the general college community.

Once a report is made to the Behavioral Intervention Team  (BIT) and confirmed via incident report or email, the BIT will determine a course of action relative to the particulars of each situation. The type of assessment is dependent on the behavior reported. After the assessment, BIT will make a determination that takes into consideration the student's best interest as well as the best interest of the college community

Members 

Members of the Behavioral Intervention Team 

  • Dr. Karen Williams, Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
  • Dana Trimboli, Chief of Staff, Office of the President 
  • Dr. James Salnave, AVP/Dean of Students, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
  • Charmaine Townsell, Sr. Director of Wellness and Resources 
  • Lieutenant Alexis Roman, Assistant Director, Department of Public Safety
  • Dr. Azzie Forbes, Ph.D., LMSW
  • Kim Melendez, LCSW – Director, Counseling Center 
  • Savitrie Rampersaud, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, Ombudsperson

Additional sources of information and referral may come from the following departments & offices:

  • Center for Students with Disabilities
  • Veteran's Affairs Student Office
  • Student Health Services
  • Instructional Services
  • Finance and Administration
  • Academic Departments
  • CUNY General Counsel

Comments

Thank you for reviewing the Behavioral Intervention Team site. 

If you have any further questions or have comments, please contact BIT at BIT@york.cuny.edu.