Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) / Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) exists to provide a route of communication, assessment and intervention for behaviors exhibited by members of the college community which, if left unaddressed, could impact the teaching-learning environment. This cross-functional team utilizes a threat-assessment tool provided by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA) to help determine appropriate courses of action when confronted with reports of such behaviors.

The Behavior Intervention Team also serves as the College's designated Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). The SART responds to issues of sexual assault which have a specific set of requirements and responses that must be met. It is our hope that no one within our campus community will become a victim of sexual assault. However, if it occurs, the College's SART was created to meet victim needs.

Mission

The mission of the Southern State Behavioral Intervention and Sexual Assault Response Teams is:

  • Enhance the physical and emotional safety of students, faculty, staff and others in order to support the teaching-learning environment.
  • Reduce the incidence of sexual and relationship violence through educational and outreach efforts
  • Increase the reporting of incidents by improving access to services
  • Provide comprehensive, victim-centered care on campus

Goals

The goals of the BIT/SART are to:

  • Provide designated referral points to where behaviors of concern can be referred
  • Collect input from multiple sources, providing more comprehensive data for analysis
  • Assess potential disruption, threats and violence utilizing a specific, objective process for evaluation and intervention
  • Minimize or eliminate disruption to the teaching-learning process, the community and college operations through early intervention and support
  • Advising of, and securing if wanted, the assistance of local law enforcement, medical providers, or mental health agencies
  • Providing an explanation of sexual assault protocol (and evidence recovery) if the victim/survivor is to go to the hospital
  • Notifying Student Academic Services if the student will be absent from a few classes. Academic support may also include assistance with acquiring notes or missed classes, assistance in rescheduling tests or project due dates, or possible reassignment to another section of a course/class if needed.
  • Clarifying the College's conduct process and insuring that the victim/survivor understands the options presented to her/him
  • Providing follow-up support to the victim/survivor as needed

Fulfilling our mission and meeting our goals require the engagement and active participation from all members of the college community. You are vital to our success and critical to the assurance of a safe and vibrant learning environment.

Protocol

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The Behavior Intervention/Sexual Assault Response Team utilizes a protocol to ensure that critical student behavior, mental health, sexual violence issues or incidents are addressed appropriately. When a referral is submitted through the BIT/SART incident report online form, team members receive the report through campus email. For reports that require immediate intervention, the team convenes immediately to assess the situation and develop an appropriate response. Otherwise, the team evaluates non-emergency reports during regular meetings to develop the appropriate response to each person of concern. In some situations, the team will communicate regarding steps to gain additional information to better assess certain situations.

Once a referral is made, and depending upon the situation, immediate action may be taken:

  • The BIT/SART team will meet and discuss the incident
  • Additional information from the reporter and other people may be collected
  • The NaBITA Threat Assessment Tool is utilized
  • Appropriate intervention is determined and action/additional action is taken
  • Feedback is provided (when appropriate and in keeping with federal and state laws)

The BIT/SART needs everyone in the Southern State family to feel empowered enough to make referrals. You are the eyes and ears of Southern State on a daily basis. Our team can't be everywhere at once and your contribution is vital if we are to be a pro-active, effective BIT/SART team that truly enhances the physical and emotional safety of our college community.

FAQs

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What behaviors should I refer to the BIT/SART?
  • Erratic behavior (including online activities) that disrupts the mission and/or normal proceedings of students, faculty or staff
  • Instances of sexual or dating violence
  • Implication or direct threat of harm to themselves or others
  • The display of what is perceived as a weapon
  • Physical or verbal confrontation and/or attack
  • Stalking or harassment of a faculty member, staff member or student
  • Delusional thinking, hallucinations or psychotic behavior
  • Threatening, aggressive or hostile verbalizations or correspondence (email, letters, voicemail, etc.)
  • Clearly noticeable changes in behavior, demeanor, dress or personality from what was noted previously as typical or "standard" for that individual
  • Any behavior of concern that doesn't fit into the categories above
What information should I include in the referral?

If using the online form, just let the fields guide you. Otherwise, to the extent possible, please try to provide the following information, based on the Five Ws:

  • Who: Who was involved? Multiple persons? Witnesses?
  • What: What happened? Details of observation?
  • When: When did the event occur? Date/Time?
  • Where: Where did the event take place?
  • Why: Did something else happen leading to the event?
What happens after I make a referral to the BIT/SART?
  • Depending upon the situation, immediate action may be taken
  • The BIT/SART team will meet and discuss the incident
  • Additional information from the reporter and other people may be collected
  • The NaBITA Threat Assessment Tool is utilized
  • Appropriate intervention is determined and action is taken
  • Feedback is provided (when appropriate and in keeping with federal and state laws)
Will I receive feedback after making a referral to the BIT/SART?

Select information will be provided to the reporter as needed depending upon the situation, confidentiality, FERPA and other legal considerations.

Contact a Team Member

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Emergency Resources

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Discover emergency contact numbers for Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette and Highland Counties as well as contacts for counseling, addiction and community mission resources.