Behavioral Intervention Team

Reporting concerning behavior is an important first step in helping a student in crisis to receive the support and assistance they need. You can file a University Incident Report here, at https://nl.edu/legal/let-us-know/. The report is easy to complete and will automatically route to the appropriate University officials. 

Advice for Reporting

Who Should Report

Firsthand knowledge is best! If someone shares a concern with you, direct them to Let Us Know. You can additionally complete a report to document your conversation, but there is no substitute for an original account by someone who witnessed or experienced the concern.

What to Include in a Report

Time, place and facts or specific descriptions of observed behavior. Refrain from making assumptions about a person's motives or specific policy violations. Record exactly what you see and hear, especially direct quotes.

When to Submit Report

As soon as possible, once your personal safety is secure. Waiting several hours or overnight can make it more difficult to recall important details or could delay much-needed response in a crisis.

BIT collaborates across many areas of the institution to offer holistic support and response to students in crisis. Current BIT membership reflects the following NLU functional areas:

• Undergrad Program at NLU
• Members of the Emergency Response Team
• Student Experience
• Skylight Counseling Center
• University Ombudsman

What kind of behavior does BIT look into?

The following concerning behavior could mean that something is wrong and you should report the behavior to BIT. This is not an exhaustive list, so trust your instinct and err on the side of reporting if something happens that makes you uncomfortable or concerned:

• Extreme rudeness or insubordination to University community members
• Drunkenness or appearing to be under the influence of drugs in the classroom or on University property
• Emotional outbursts
• Threatening words or actions
• Writings that convey clear intentions to harm self or others
• Observed self-injurious behavior or evidence of recent self-injury such as cutting, burning, disordered eating, etc.
• Online postings on social media, emails, discussion forums, etc. which are threatening or raise concern
• Suicidality, including threats ("I am going to kill myself"), ideation ("I've always thought about ending it with pills") or attempts
• Acts motivated by hatred or discrimination
• Paranoia or delusion that a student groundlessly believes they are being targeted
• Harassment, stalking or obsessive behaviors
• Relationship/domestic/intimate partner violence
• Flat affect or extreme lack of responsiveness
• Alarming references to bombs, ammunition, guns, weapons or fire
• Any other change in behavior that seems out of character for the student or comes on without explanation

What should I do if I'm contacted by BIT?

Respond in a timely manner and cooperate fully with BIT. The team is working to determine the resources needed to support a member of our community and is diligently seeking to keep NLU safe.

What kinds of resources and support can BIT offer?

Services will expand to meet the needs of those involved and each case is unique. Examples of services include referrals to counseling, coordinating with disability services for accommodations or regular meetings with the concerning individual to help them overcome the challenging behavior. BIT works closely with each involved person to tailor a University response that is focused on safety and student success.

Does meeting with BIT mean a student is "in trouble"?

The two purposes of BIT looking into an issue are to (1) collaboratively meet the needs of students who are in crisis by offering support and resources, and (2) address University risk associated with student behavior. These aims are rooted in NLU's care and concern for the safety of each student and our community as a whole. While the BIT process can include recommendations or requirements to ensure continued safety, BIT operates separately from the Student Conduct Process.

Will my involvement with BIT be kept confidential?

The University will strive to maintain the confidentiality of all individuals working with BIT. Only members of the community needed to provide resources and support may be brought into a situation with the intention to provide a safe learning environment for all. The University must put the safety of the community as a first priority and if it is deemed that the individual is considered to be a threat to themselves or others, confidentiality may not be maintained. 

Reporters to BIT may submit reports anonymously via the University Incident Report at nl.edu/legal/let-us-know.