MISSION STATEMENT

The Behavioral Intervention Team is dedicated to a proactive, coordinated and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment, management and reduction of interpersonal and behavioral threats to the safety and well-being of Saint Augustine’s University community or any of its members.

PURPOSE

The FalconCare team is a cross-campus team that meets regularly to detect “red flags” in student or group behavior over time. With a multidisciplinary approach, the BIT provides a centralized and coordinated assessment and intervention process to identify and aid students displaying troubling or disruptive behaviors, prior to the onset of crisis, to promote a safer campus community.

While interacting with students across the University, individuals may be faced with situations in which a student is highly disruptive or displays behavior that may appear threatening to self or others. The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) was established to:

  • Provide consultation, education, and support to faculty, staff, and associates in assisting students who display highly disconcerting or unusual behaviors.
  • Gather information to assess situations involving students who display highly disconcerting or disruptive behaviors.
  • Gather information on student.
  • Recommend appropriate intervention strategies before a crisis occurs.
  • Connect students with need-based campus and community resources.
  • Monitor ongoing behavior of students who have displayed highly disruptive or disconcerting behavior.

The FalconCare Team is not an emergency response team. If there is an immediate threat to a student or to the Saint Augustine’s University community, or if there is a medical or mental health emergency, please call Campus Security at 919.516.4911 or call 911. 

MAKE A REFERRAL WHEN:

  • Overly aggressive behaviors toward others; inability to set limits or re-direct focus
  • Inability to make decisions or cope
  • Highly inappropriate or strange behavior that may pose a threat to safety
  • Extreme overreaction to circumstances
  • Writings and comments endorsing violence; unusual interest in violence
  • Indirect or direct threats in writings or verbalizations
  • Lack of empathy and concern for others; inability to care
  • Severe anger management problems
  • Appearance of being overly nervous, tense or tearful on more than a single occasion
  • Written or verbal expression of suicidal thoughts; suicidal actions or self-injury; or feelings of hopelessness
  • Statements regarding having a weapon on campus
  • Threats about harming self or others
  • Erratic behavior (including online activities) that disrupts the mission and/or normal proceedings of other Saint Augustine’s University students, faculty, or staff
  • There has been an involuntary transport to the hospital for substance use/abuse
  • There has been an involuntary transport to the hospital for mental health issues
  • Significant behavioral or emotional changes
  • Significant withdrawal
  • A drastic change in hygiene or appearance
  • Significant decline in academic performance
  • Alcohol or drug abuse or addiction
  • Bizarre thoughts or behavior that does not fit the context of an event or situation
  • The student admits there is a serious problem, but does not want to talk to you about it

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The primary purpose of the BIT is to offer strategies for mitigating emergent or crisis situations involving students. The student you refer to the BIT will be given the support and assistance they need by University and community resources. Depending upon the actions of the student, and following a review of the information presented, appropriate University or community-based referrals may be required.

If there is an immediate threat to a student or to the community, or if there is a medical or mental health emergency, please dial 911.