Dean of Students Office

Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

 

Mission Statement: 

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is a multidisciplinary team, dedicated to identifying, evaluating, and responding to behaviors that have raised concern indicating the potential for violence or the need for support. 

The team’s purpose is to centralize the reporting of concerns and encourage a proactive approach to intervention. The team meets regularly to perform an initial assessment of risk and develops a support plan, within existing University policies, to mitigate risk and promote individual well-being and success. 

The overarching philosophy of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is that all students can benefit from coordinated care.

If you are concerned about a student, fill out the BIT Referral Form or call the Dean of Students Office at (920) 424-3100 for assistance.

How To Best Assist Students?

Students Success Navigator

There are many potential signs that indicate a student is experiencing distress. Listed below are some examples:

Signals:

  • Academic struggles 
  • Family issues 
  • Financial stress 
  • Grief and/or loss 
  • Loss of motivation 
  • Medical or physical health concerns
  • Alcohol or drug abuse: including coming to class intoxicated 

Behaviors:

  • Procrastination, poor class attendance, little or no work completed 
  • Changes in personal behavior

If you have these concerns about a student, please issue an alert on Navigate (https://uwosh.campus.eab.com/)  so a Student Success Navigator can reach out to assist the student or call a Navigator at (920) 424-2909.

We work closely with them to coordinate care and provide advocate to our students to ensure that they are set up for success. 

Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

If a student exhibits disruptive or worrisome behavior and may be at risk of harming either themselves or others, or who poses a significant disruption . Listed below are some examples: 

  • Depressed mood or ongoing sadness
  • Displays anger or negative emotions inappropriately
  • Disturbing or threatening written materials/communications
  • Hospitalization for mental health
  • Threatens violent behavior 

If you have these concerns about a student, there are multiple wayt to report information to the BIT: 

  1. fill out the BIT Referral Form
  2. email the BIT Chair, Houa Xiong at xiongh@uwosh.edu 
  3. stop by the Dean of Students Office, Dempsey 130  (Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm)
Crisis Situations

Urgent concerns that warrant immediate intervention include during the office hours:

  • Thoughts of harm to  self or others
  • Loss of control
  • Out of touch with reality
  • A recent loss and/or trauma

In such instances please contact the appropriate resource listed below:

Counseling Center : If a student is in crisis during office hours, please stop by or call the Counseling Center and their staff will work with student to get the needed support. Call (920) 424-2061

UWO Police Department (UWOPD):  They can assess the situation and dispatch appropriate personnel including paramedics, fire department and law enforcement.  Call (920) 424-1212

Dean of Students Office:  They supports students of UW Oshkosh through advocacy, care, guidance, and support. Call (920) 424-3100

After Hours Emergency Support

Should a crisis occur after hours, please utilize the following emergency resources:

Online Learning Environments

Those teaching online courses or who are interacting with students electronically can have some unique concerns. Here is information specific to this environment:

First, Don’t Worry Alone

Instructors should always have a low threshold to picking up the phone to call the Counseling Center staff at (920) 424-2061 or Dean of Students Office at (920) 424-3100. Regardless of which office you call, we will consult with each other or refer the instructor to the other office depending upon who can best meet the need.

In Case of Emergency, Get Others Involved

What constitutes an emergency and what action should be taken?

  • If a student is speaking/writing about a plan or intention to harm self or others or writing at length about wanting to die, this should prompt an immediate call to the Dean of Students Office.
  • If you believe that the student’s safety or the safety of others is at immediate risk, call 911 or the UWO Police Department (UWOPD) at  (920) 424-1212.

It is appropriate to provide police with the students contact information as well as all relevant information under these circumstances. University Police, pursuant to a call regarding the safety and security of a student, will assess the information and determine appropriate actions to take in order to check on the welfare of that student.

Actions may include, but are not limited to:

  • personal contact
  • phone contact
  • contact with family and friends
  • use of outside agencies to facilitate these contacts
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Referral Form

Dean of Students Office

Dempsey Hall 125
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
(920) 424-3100
Email us

BIT Membership: