“Student of Concern” Initiative: Managing Distressed and Disruptive Student Behavior Dan Beck, Captain, University Police Department Calvin Kelly, Director of Health & Counseling Center Steven Pinkenburg, Dean of Students - Interim Kendall Swanson, Director of Student Disability Services

Scope of Services & Introductions  Dean of Students Office, Main Building 108  Health & Counseling Center, Johnson Hall, ground floor  Student Disability Services, Moody Hall 155  University Police Department, WOB 114

Behavioral Concerns DistressedDisruptive  Often there are indicators that a student is experiencing distress long before a situation escalates into a crisis. It is important to identify difficulties as early as possible.

Current Conditions Health & Counseling Center (HCC)  HCC Increase in Utilization of Services –66% increase in appointments from to –39% increase in acute psychological and chronic health issues

Current & Historical Conditions Welfare Case Metrics Dean of Students Office (DOS) & Residence Life

Your Role  What you can do….

Examples of Distressed Behavior  Irritability, stress or apathy  Marked change in someone’s appearance or level of attendance  Sudden decline in quality of work and grades  Student’s writing/comments reflect extreme level of hopelessness or pessimism  Student often becomes agitated or overly emotional (tearfulness and panic)  Someone who expresses suicidal ideation or a direct threat to self or others

Possible Action Steps for Distressed Students 1.In class discussion, intervene-reframe, redirect or switch the topic. 2.Trust your intuition; take the situation seriously; meet with the student. 3.Focus on the behavior. 4.Consult with appropriate staff/supervisor on campus. 5.Voice your concern to the student in a caring, but direct and specific manner. 6.Refer the student to appropriate support services. 7.Document the concern and the referral in your records, Mapworks, DOS Referral form, and supervisor, as appropriate. 8.Consider excusing student from classroom if necessary.

Examples of Disruptive Behavior  Student who is unable to sit and participate in activity or class  Student discloses overly personal or inappropriate comments in discussions  Student uses combat-related words out of context  Student often becomes agitated or overly emotional  Overly demanding of attention  Student displays a “spaced out” look, appearing to be under the influence of a chemical substance  Student displays anger or hostility towards others

Immediate Intervention in the Classroom or Program for Disruptive Students 1.Verbal request to stop the behavior 2.Verbal request to exit classroom or space 3.Walk student over to specific campus resource 4.Contact University Police Department A.Notification B.Call for Service C.Emergency Response

Possible Follow-Up Action Steps for Disruptive Students  Talk to the student about the behavior in a timely manner.  Respect and maintain the student’s privacy.  If necessary, ask the chair of your department, the Associate Dean, Dean, or a another faculty member to be present when you meet with the student.  Leave your office door open and alert another staff member to stand by.  Make appropriate referrals to support services on campus (academic, student affairs/services).  Provide written summation of meeting as part of follow-up process.

Follow-Up Action Steps Continued  Provide a deadline for behavioral change.  Provide written description of the consequences that will occur if the behavior continues.  Provide a copy to your dean/director, student, and the Dean of Students as part of DOS referral form.  Follow through on consequences.

Possible Consequences if Behavior Does Not Change Complete a Student Conduct/Concern form on the Dean of Students webpage. Drop student from course or remove student from program (per instruction/approval from your dean or director).

Resources & Emergency Numbers

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