Mission:
To provide an identification and intervention resource for faculty and staff in order to address student behavioral issues and promote student success and safety. The Behavioral Assessment Committee (BAC) is an Advisory group to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services.
Purpose:
The BAC is a resource for RCC faculty and staff by which they can report student behaviors of concern. Examples of such concerning behaviors include, but are not limited to: threatening gestures, statements, or actions; behavior that has the potential to become harmful to oneself or others; bizarre or inappropriate behavior; angry, hostile, or abusive behavior; behavior that indicates difficulty managing emotions. In some cases there may be no violation of the RCC Student Code of Conduct as such, but the behavior may evoke alarm or concern among involved persons.
Meetings:
BAC will meet as needed. To respect confidentiality, meetings will be closed to the campus community. The BAC is chaired by the Dean of Student Development.
Procedures:
- Reports of concerning behavior will be forwarded to the BAC by completing and submitting an electronic referral form to the BAC Chair. The report should identify the student, the presenting issues, and any available documentation. The BAC may request the complainant attend a meeting or consult via phone.
NOTE: Dangerous or harmful student behavior should immediately be reported to a Public Safety Officer. - When a written report is submitted by a complaining party, the BAC Chair will review the complaint and will determine whether or not to initiate a BAC meeting. If a meeting is initiated, time will be provided in the meeting for members of the BAC to read the full report prior to proceeding. If the complainant is present, he/she will have the opportunity to provide the BAC with background information and details concerning the student behavior.
- The members of the BAC understand that discussion and recommendations related to all student cases are to be conducted with the utmost confidentiality and respect for the privacy of all involved. Members of the BAC who have specific confidentiality requirements will share only that information which is necessary.
- The Chair will document the discussion and forward the committee’s recommendations in the form of a letter to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services. Upon receipt of the recommendation, the Vice President will act on the recommendations within two weeks of the dated BAC letter. Immediately following their decision, the Vice President will notify the BAC of their decision in writing. The Vice President will also contact the student to inform him/her/them of the BAC recommendation.
- A case may be reintroduced to the BAC for follow-up and closure subsequent to Vice President action.
Potential Outcomes of Consultation with BAC:
BAC recommendations address the behavior of the student and seek a response that balances the deed and circumstances of the student and the expectations and responsibilities of the college. There may be no formal “outcome” if the BAC believes the student is connected to appropriate services. Multiple outcomes may be decided upon to fit the needs of the student and community. In all cases, outcomes are forwarded to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services in the form of a recommendation for action.
Decisions are made as a result of a deliberative process that includes reviewing pertinent documentation, making an inquiry into the immediacy of threats, ascertaining underlying mental illness or emotional problems, and determining the ability, intent, and opportunity to harm oneself or others. The process for making these decisions and identifying the outcome is outlined on the attached chart. The Vice President will contact the student to inform her/him of their recommendation.
The BAC may recommend the following to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services:
- No Action – After reviewing the situation the BAC feels there is no need for any intervention based on the individual situation and/or the student’s needs have been met.
- RCC Counseling Services Referral – Student will be referred to counseling if the student’s behavior suggests the possibility of a mental illness, emotional instability, or demonstrated inappropriate or inadequate coping skills.
- Voluntary Withdrawal from RCC – The BAC may recommend that the student voluntarily withdraw from RCC without a plan to return. The student’s decision may include input from parents, academic departments, or interested others.
- Behavioral Contract – This option involves a meeting with the student and the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services. Subsequent to the meeting, specific behavioral expectations will be identified along with consequences in the event that the expectations are not met. Campus resources and/or off campus resources will be identified that may assist the student with meeting the terms of the contract.
- Psychiatric Evaluation – The BAC may request a psychiatric evaluation from a licensed mental health professional for students whose behavior suggests underlying mental health issues or significant emotional disturbance.
- Faculty/Staff Follow Up – Follow up will be made with the faculty or staff member who brought the case or concern to the BAC. The purpose of this contact is to communicate to the faculty/staff member the status of the recommendation of the BAC. The contact will be made by the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services.
- Parental Contact – In the case of health and safety emergencies, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services can contact parents of impacted students.
- Disciplinary Action – Student behavior that has violated the RCC Student Code of Conduct will be referred to the Coordinator of Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action.
- Campus Removal – If student behavior endangers the campus community, Public Safety will be notified immediately. Students whose behavior represents an immediate threat of harm to self or others will be securely transported by either police or ambulance to the appropriate facility. This may occur after a consult with Counseling or Accessibility Services. A medical release and a psychiatric evaluation, to be reviewed by the BAC, may be required before the student can return to campus.
- Involuntary Withdrawal from RCC – If concerns about the student’s emotional stability, personal safety, or the safety of others persist after a student has submitted a psychiatric evaluation, the BAC may recommend that a student withdraw from RCC. If the student does not voluntarily withdraw, the Dean of Student Development, in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, and in consultation with the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, has the discretion to order an involuntary withdrawal of the student.
- Other – Potential outcomes are not restricted to this list