Behavior Intervention Team (BIT)
The Report of the Virginia Tech Review Panel to Governor Tim Kaine (Aug. 2007) included key findings… “Although various individuals and departments within the university knew about each of these incidents, the university did not intervene effectively. No one knew all the information and no one connected all the dots.”
The key findings of the Report to President Bush on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy (2007, June 13), included “improved awareness and communication are key to prevention.”
Mission
The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) is a collaborative group with the mission of:
- Coordinating a systematic response to students whose behavior is disruptive to themselves or the environment or students exhibiting threatening, homicidal and suicidal behaviors.
- Supporting student success via educational, rather than punitive means.
- Encouraging a culture of reporting.
Purpose
The CITY University of New York is concerned about the safety, health, and/or well-being of all of its students, faculty, and staff, and has policies regarding the well-being for all members of the University. Specifically, the policies address student activities that are disruptive to the mission of the University, as well as any suicidal or self injurious threats or threatening behaviors.
As a result of growing national trends on college campuses of mental health issues and the University created the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). The BIT has been charged with upholding these policies and maintaining a healthy environment for the entire College Community.
The primary purpose of the BIT is the implementation of policies and procedures relating to disruptive and threatening behavior, its reporting, assessment, intervention, and resolution.
Responsibilities
The BIT will:
- Develop an online form for faculty and directors to report suspected cases
- Develop and disseminate informational materials focused on identification and prevention of disruptive behavior.
- Receive and gather information about difficult situations involving students
- discuss referred cases
- Serve as a resource to faculty and directors to address the needs of students with behavioral, emotional , and psychological concerns
- Compile and maintain a list of community agencies to refer students in need of services beyond their professional scope
- Help connect the dots
- Meet twice a month and as necessary for high risk cases
- Recommend appropriate action(s) per case in accordance with existing college policies
Team Members
The membership consists of the following:
- Tikola Russell, Chair of BIT Committee/Dean of Students
- Dr. Wilma Fletcher-Anthony, Senior Director of the Counseling Center
- Erika Gaynor, Administrative Coordinator of Office of Community Standards and Dean of Students
- Isabel Hocevar, RN, Director of Health Services
- Jennifer Klein, Program Manager of Community Standards and Academic Integrity
- Dr. Brian R. Mitra, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
- Gisela Rivera, Director of Student Leadership & Development
- Chief John Triolo, Director of Public Safety
