Reporting Concerning Behavior
Dear Faculty Relations:I’m an experienced chair, but I’ve never understood when and how to report concerning behavior from faculty, staff, students, or non-affiliates. Should I be doing this? And if so, how do I do it? —Teach Me
Dear Teach Me: Thank you for sharing your concerns with me! It is important to always share concerns about violent behavior, threats, harm, or other concerning behaviors promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Maybe you’ve noticed that a staff member just hasn’t seemed themselves, you’re hearing that a student is disrupting a colleague’s class, or you’re worried about a faculty member’s outburst in the hallway.Ìý
First, it’s not your job or responsibility to diagnose problematic behavior or to figure out how to respond. This is the job of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). BIT identifies, assesses, and addresses these behaviors from anyone on campus, keeping our campus safe and secure.ÌýÌý
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ is lucky to have a team of people who represent the whole university. Our people have knowledge of policies and experience in their roles so they can address these behaviors quickly and effectively. This team works together on a wide range of issues, including matters related to federal mandates, campus safety, and policies that impact faculty, staff, students, and even guests. With this team in place, we can quickly direct concerns to the right office for resolution. The cross-representation ensures clear communication and coordination, addressing individual concerns while providing support to those affected.Ìý
So, should you share your concern—even if it seems minor? The short answer is yes, please always share your concerns. You may observe a shift in a staff member's demeanor, while someone else on campus might have overheard them make a threat. We want to create a culture where sharing concerns is encouraged and where sharing makes our community stronger and more resilient.Ìý
How do I share a concern? ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ has several processes for sharing concerns and requesting support, including reporting options through CUPD, the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Don't Ignore It website, and anonymously through . Additionally, our team is always happy to consult and talk through the concern to ensure it’s getting to the right place.Ìý
Written by Montelleo Hobley Jr., Director of Threat Assessment and Members of the Behavioral Intervention Team.
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Mandatory Reporting â¶Ä¯Ìý
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