Delgado “Student Threat Assessment Procedures” Page 1
For use in accordance with Delgado’s Student Judicial Code policy
Student Threat Assessment Procedures
Purpose
Most student behaviors that are exhibited can be handled by faculty and staff at the time
of the incident utilizing the Student Judicial Code policy and/or its corresponding
Classroom Disruption Procedures . However, some incidences may require further
documentation and review, or an immediate emergency response.
The purpose of the
Student Threat Assessment Team
(STAT) is to supplement and
support the existing system in determining whether distressed students pose a threat to
self or others. Similar teams are used at various higher education institutions across the
country. At Delgado, the STAT also assists the Office of Student Life staff in
determining which course of action should be recommended to assist and support the
student in his or her time of distress.
Objectives
The objectives of the Student Threat Assessment Procedures enable and empower the
accomplishment of the following goals:
- To balance the educational needs of the student and the College’s mission;
- To intervene early and provide support and response to students who display
varying levels of distressed behaviors;
- To respond with support first and sanctions as a last resort;
- To respond with individualized assessment the potential for violent, homicidal
and/or suicidal behaviors while avoiding stigmatizing mental health issues and
stereotype-based profiling;
- To enable adherence to a formalized protocol of instructions for communication,
coordination and intervention;
- To balance FERPA, HIPAA and counselor privileges with the College’s need-to-
know and emergency communication needs;
- To centralize the process for collection and assessment of referrals initiated by
student behavior and recognize interactional patterns of concern involving one
student that may be known to various faculty, staff and administrators;
- To engage faculty and staff in effective response with respect to distressed
students;
- To coordinate follow-up to ensure that services, support and resources are
deployed effectively; and
- To follow up as appropriate with psychological assessment, conduct actions,
disability services, accommodations, hospitalization and withdrawal, as needed,
balancing that which is in the best interest of the student and the College.
Delgado “Student Threat Assessment Procedures” Page 2
What Constitutes a “Distressed” Student?
The following are behavioral examples of distressed behaviors:
Examples of Distressed Students
•
Unaccountable change in grade performance
•
Change in pattern of interaction
•
Significant change in physical appearance
•
Marked change in mood, motor activity, or speech
•
May request special consideration frequently
•
Behavior may interfere with classroom management or be disruptive
•
Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
•
Other behaviors indicating the student is distressed
Examples of
“Extremely”
Distressed Students
•
Threatening or verbally insulting the instructor or others students
•
Intoxication – including drug and alcohol use
•
Verbal Abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
•
Harassment (e.g., use of “fighting words,” stalking)
•
Threats to harm oneself or others
•
Physical violence( e.g., shoving, grabbing, assault, possession or use of weapon)
•
Other behaviors indicating the student is extremely distressed
Referral Procedures
eferring Distressed Students (not “Extremely” Distressed Students)
To refer distressed students and/or student judicial code violations, faculty, staff
R
and students should file a Referral Form for Incidents of Student Code and
Conduct with the Office of Student Life
within 72 hours
of interaction or
reasonable time frame if best effort is demonstrated in attempting to contac
appropriate parties.
T
t the
o obtain the Referral Form from the website, follow these instructions:
Student Referring Student:
. Go to Delgado’s home page (www.dcc.edu
1
).
Incidents of Student Code and
4.
eport as directed and click “Submit” link.
2. Click on “Current Students” page.
3. Click on “RISCC” Icon (Referring
Conduct).
Complete r
Delgado “Student Threat Assessment Procedures” Page 3
Faculty/Staff Referring Student:
1. Go to Delgado’s home page (www.dcc.edu).
2. Log into “Faculty/Staff” page.
3. Click on “RISCC” (Referring Incidents of Student Code and
Conduct) under “Resources” header.
4. Complete report as directed and click “Submit” link.
Referring “Extremely” Distressed Students
If a student is posing a threat to the safety of him, she or others, becomes
physically or verbally abusive, Campus Police should be contacted immediately.
It is often a mistake to assume that aggressive behavior will stop on its own.
Always err on the side of safety.
Once Campus Police is notified a police report
will be required and statements may be requested of the students, faculty or staff
members involved and witnesses.
Referral Procedures for DCC Campus Police:
1. Call Campus Police at (504) 671-6111.
2. Follow all instructions as directed by the Campus Police
Department.
Office of Student Life’s Response
Depending on the nature of the student’s behavior, the following Office of
Student Life responses apply:
•
Student may be referred to STAT Team.
•
Student may be referred for counseling.
•
Faculty/staff member may be directed to consult Classroom Disruption
Procedures.
•
Student may be processed through Judicial Affairs process.
Feedback Loop
All parties affected will be provided information on a “need to know” basis, as
determined by the Office of Student Life. Otherwise, information regarding the
student will remain confidential.
Delgado “Student Threat Assessment Procedures” Page 4
tudent Threat Assessment Team
S
The Student Threat Assessment Team is composed of the following:
•
Director of Student Life
ent Life (or designee)
r for Student Affairs
STAT Backup Members (used on case by case basis):
n site
Protection of Referral Forms
•
Assistant Director of Stud
•
Chief of Campus Police
•
Assistant Vice Chancello
•
Coordinator of Disability Services
•
Coordinator of Health Services
•
Counselor Intern or Counselor o
•
Any other individual with knowledge of or expertise related to the
situation
Such records are not available to anyone except to those who have a legitimate
Office of Student Life
Approved 8/4/10
need to know and to the extent required by law. These records will be kept on file
in the Office of Student Life separate from Judicial Affairs Records, and are
not
a
part of a student’s discipline record.
(504) 671-6001
