“Student of Concern” Initiative: Managing Distressed and Disruptive Student Behavior

Dan Beck, Captain, University Police Department

Calvin Kelly, Director of Health & Counseling Center

Steven Pinkenburg, Dean of Students - Interim

Kendall Swanson, Director of Student Disability Services

Scope of Services & Introductions

Dean of Students Office, Main Building 108

Health & Counseling Center, Johnson Hall, ground floor

Student Disability Services, Moody Hall 155

University Police Department, WOB 114

Behavioral Concerns

Distressed Disruptive

Often there are indicators that a student is experiencing distress long before a situation escalates into a crisis. It is important to identify difficulties as early as possible.

Current Conditions Health & Counseling Center (HCC)

HCC Increase in Utilization of Services – 66% increase in appointments from 2013-2014 to

2014-2015– 39% increase in acute

psychological and chronic

health issues

Current & Historical ConditionsWelfare Case Metrics

Dean of Students Office (DOS) & Residence Life

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-20150

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Academic Year

Wel

fare

Cas

es

Your Role What you can do….

Examples of Distressed Behavior

Irritability, stress or apathy

Marked change in someone’s appearance or level of attendance

Sudden decline in quality of work and grades

Student’s writing/comments reflect extreme level of hopelessness or pessimism

Student often becomes agitated or overly emotional (tearfulness and panic)

Someone who expresses suicidal ideation or a direct threat to self or others

Possible Action Steps for Distressed Students

1. In class discussion, intervene-reframe, redirect or switch the topic.

2. Trust your intuition; take the situation seriously; meet with the student.

3. Focus on the behavior.

4. Consult with appropriate staff/supervisor on campus.

5. Voice your concern to the student in a caring, but direct and specific

manner.

6. Refer the student to appropriate support services.

7. Document the concern and the referral in your records, Mapworks,

DOS Referral form, and supervisor, as appropriate.

8. Consider excusing student from classroom if necessary.

Examples of Disruptive Behavior

Student who is unable to sit and participate in activity or class

Student discloses overly personal or inappropriate comments in discussions

Student uses combat-related words out of context

Student often becomes agitated or overly emotional

Overly demanding of attention

Student displays a “spaced out” look, appearing to be under the influence of a chemical substance

Student displays anger or hostility towards others

Immediate Intervention in the Classroom or Program for Disruptive Students

1. Verbal request to stop the behavior

2. Verbal request to exit classroom or space

3. Walk student over to specific campus resource

4. Contact University Police Department A. Notification

B. Call for Service

C. Emergency Response

Possible Follow-Up Action Steps for Disruptive Students

Talk to the student about the behavior in a timely manner.

Respect and maintain the student’s privacy.

If necessary, ask the chair of your department, the Associate Dean, Dean, or a another faculty member to be present when you meet with the student.

Leave your office door open and alert another staff member to stand by.

Make appropriate referrals to support services on campus (academic, student affairs/services).

Provide written summation of meeting as part of follow-up process.

Follow-Up Action Steps Continued

Provide a deadline for behavioral change.

Provide written description of the consequences that will occur if the behavior continues.

Provide a copy to your dean/director, student, and the Dean of Students as part of DOS referral form.

Follow through on consequences.

Possible Consequences if Behavior Does Not Change

• Complete a Student Conduct/Concern form on the Dean of Students webpage.

• Drop student from course or remove student from program (per instruction/approval from your dean or director).

Resources & Emergency Numbers

Thank youSt. Edward’s University

Thank you.St. Edward’s University

Thank you.St. Edward’s University

Thank you.St. Edward’s University

Thank you.St. Edward’s University