KUBIT

Kutztown University Behavioral Intervention Team

• MISSION

  KUBIT works to provide a safe and caring learning environment for all members of the campus community.  The KUBIT mission is to:

  Provide a venue for addressing students who exhibit a behavior of concern, particularly those who demonstrate the potential for violence toward self or others.  This mission will be accomplished through the process of:

  1) identifying individuals of concern;
  2) evaluating the information obtained;
  3) intervening as necessary; and
  4) communicating with stakeholder

• PROCESS

  A key to the success of KUBIT is that all information involving concern about a student is reported to a central location, the Office of the Dean of Students, as outlined by the following process: 

  A student/person of concern is identified by a member of the campus community.

  The information is reported to the Associate Dean of Students.

  The Associate Dean of Students will complete a preliminary investigation and fact-finding and determine the need for intervention.  This may include a referral to a campus or community resource.  This action will then be reported to the Team at the following team meeting.

  The Associate Dean of Students may determine to call the team together for an immediate review of the facts and a determination of appropriate action.

  The team, or Associate Dean of Students without a full team meeting, may assign the case to a team member for action, determine if additional campus resources are needed to address the concern, or recommend immediate action if a health or safety risk exists.

  A comprehensive file of all data collected and action is taken will be maintained in a secure database in the Office of the Dean of Students.  

• IDENTIFYING STUDENTS AT-RISK

  Every college student feels stressed, depressed, or anxious at times.  When these feelings persist over a long period, however, there may be a problem greater than those problems faced by the general student population. 

  The following behaviors can all be important signs of distress. As a staff, faculty or a peer, you may notice a student exhibiting one or more of the academic, physical, or emotional signs and decide that something is clearly wrong. Or you may have a "gut-level feeling" that something is amiss. If the latter is the case, don't dismiss your feelings or feel that you need to wait for tangible "proof" that a problem exists. A simple check-in with the student may help you get a better sense of his/her situation.

  Academic signs

  • Deterioration in quality/quantity of work 
  • A negative change in classroom or research performance (e.g., drop in grades) 
  • Missed assignments or exams 
  • Repeated absences from class
  • Disorganized or erratic performance 
  • Decline in enthusiasm in class (e.g., no longer choosing a seat in the front of the room)
  • Student sends frequent, lengthy, "ranting" or threatening types of emails to professor
  • Continual seeking of special provisions (e.g., late papers, extensions, postponed exams, and projects)

  Physical signs

  • Falling asleep in class or other inopportune times 
  • A dramatic change in energy level (either direction) 
  • Worrisome changes in hygiene or personal appearance 
  • Significant changes in weight 
  • Frequent state of alcohol intoxication (i.e., bleary-eyed, hung-over, smelling of alcohol)
  • Noticeable cuts, bruises or burns on student

  Emotional signs

  • Inappropriate emotional outbursts (unprovoked anger or hostility, sobbing)
  • Exaggerated personality traits; more withdrawn or more animated than usual
  • Expressions of hopelessness, fear or worthlessness; themes of suicide, death and dying in papers/projects 
  • Direct statements indicating distress, family problems, or other difficulties 
  • Peer concern about a fellow student (in class, lab, residence hall, club) 

  It's possible that any one of these signs, in and of itself, may simply mean that a student is having an "off" day.  Consider consulting with a colleague, supervisor, associate dean, or other trusted member of the KU community to share your observations, and discuss options for response.

  Please note, anyone serious sign (e.g., a student writes a paper expressing hopelessness and/or thoughts of suicide) or a cluster of smaller signs (e.g., emotional outbursts, repeated absence, a noticeable cut on the arm) necessitates an intervention.

  If you are not sure if a student's behavior calls for a KUBIT referral, please complete a Student of Concern Referral Formand/or contact the Office of the Dean of Students (610-683-4075 or KUBIT@kutztown.edu) to discuss your concerns.

   NOTE:   In cases where a student's behavior poses an imminent threat to you or another, contact KU Public Safety & Police Services immediately at 610-683-4001.

• HOW TO HELP A DISTRESSED STUDENT

  If you decide to help, then do it with HEART: 

  Hear

  • Stop what you're doing and really listen to what the student is saying.

  Empathize 

  • Acknowledge what you have heard and let the student know you understand.
  • Express concern and interest.
  • Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental.
  • Remember, even if the problem does not seem real to you, it may be very important to the student.

  Assess

  • Ask the student, "What have you thought about doing?"
  • Discuss the pros and cons of different courses of action.
  • Don't expect to have all the answers.

  Refer

  • Be honest about your concerns and limitations.
  • The student may need professional help.
  • Do not agree to be secretive about his or her problem.
  • Help the student find appropriate resources.
  • Offer to go with him or her to talk with a professional.

  Tell

  • Do not ignore comments about suicide, violence, or harm to others.
  • Seek professional assistance.

  * adapted from Fairleigh Dickinson University
  
  

  NOTE:   In cases where a student's behavior poses an imminent threat to you or another, contact KU Public Safety & Police Services immediately at 610-683-4001.

• IMPORTANT OFFICES

  Office of Student Conduct Services	610-683-1320	119 Stratton Admin Center
  Public Safety & Police Services	610-683-4001	Old Main I-Wing
  Counseling Services	610-683-4072	First Floor, Beck Hall
  Health & Wellness Services	610-683-4082	First Floor, Beck Hall
  Disability Services	610-683-4108	215 Stratton Admin Center
  Women's Center	610-683-4655	Boxwood House