Behavioral Assessment Team Policy (Threat Assessment)

A multidisciplinary team who provides a coordinated and planned approach to the identification, assessment, management, and, where possible, reduction and/or prevention of concerning behaviors. BAT reviews and discusses individuals who have displayed concerning behaviors that may pose a risk to themselves or others, or could significantly disrupt the campus environment. The BAT shall be composed of representatives from the UNCG Police Department (Co-Chair); Dean of Students Office (Co-Chair); Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Counseling Center; Housing and Residence Life; Office of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel; Provost’s Office; Human Resources; and other University officials as needed. Members of the BAT will engage in training initiatives related to threat assessment and crisis management.  

The Dean of Students Office Care Team assists any student who may be experiencing transition, academic or personal difficulty, and any crisis or emergency situation.  The Care Team frequently meets to discuss and manage concerning behaviors that may be disruptive to the University community.  The team’s goal is to create a network of support for students that emphasizes early intervention and connects students with appropriate resources or individuals that may help address their needs.  

Behavior or conduct that poses or may pose a risk of potential harm to oneself or others 

The act of identifying and evaluating risk factors to help prevent escalation. 

The process of developing and implementing plans to alleviate the threat of violence posed by an individual.

As part of an institution-wide commitment to safety and security, the University has established the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT), which specifically serves as the coordinating hub of a network of existing resources focused on violence prevention and early intervention for the university community in accordance with existing University policies. The BAT will convene to evaluate and address specific cases initiated under this policy. In doing so, the BAT will implement the University’s policies and procedures for the mitigation of threats and acts of violence within the university community, including, but not limited to, the University’s fact-based assessment, intervention, and action protocols. The BAT will collaborate with local and state law enforcement agencies, mental health agencies, and any other agencies or individuals necessary to expedite the assessment and intervention of an individual’s or organization’s/group’s behavior that may present a threat to the safety of the university community.  

The BAT meets weekly or as needed based on the occurrence of, or threats of, concerning behavior by or affecting any university community member or university organization/group. Specific responsibilities of the BAT shall include: 

1. Creating and maintaining the University’s Behavioral Assessment Team Policy;
2. Developing and implementing violence prevention protocols in accordance with the Violence in the Workplace Policy Statement;
3. Providing education and guidance regarding recognition and reporting of concerning behaviors;
4. Collaborating with campus partners in the education and prevention of violence on campus;
5. Facilitating timely communication among different University divisions, departments, and/or units about individual behavioral concerns;
6. Investigating or gathering additional information about individuals of concern, including individuals outside of the University Community;
7. Assessing all information necessary for the University to devise an appropriate response;
8. Managing interventions, threat management plans, and other case management strategies that connect individuals of concern with needed resources;
9. Recommending support strategies for reintegrating an individual into the University Community once initial actions are complete and the threat has been eliminated;
10. Providing a repository for information about behavioral concerns across different University divisions, departments and/or units in order to identify persons in distress or in need of resources as early as possible;
11. Assisting with the education of the University Community about the types of behavior or concerns that they should report; 
12. Developing policy and program recommendations based on an evaluation of data on individual behavior dealt with by the BAT; and
13. Maintaining a collaborative working relationship and referring cases when appropriate to the CARE team. 

The behavioral assessment process shall utilize a fact-based approach and rely primarily on an appraisal of behaviors as the basis for determining whether there is a need for intervention. In this approach, all aspects of the person(s) of concern must be considered, and sharing information is critical. The more information available about the person(s) and the concerning behaviors, the more accurate the threat assessment will be. 

All University departments and offices are expected to cooperate fully with members of the BAT. After referring an individual to Human Resources (staff), the Provost’s Office (faculty) or the Dean of Students Office (students) for assessment by the BAT, the referring University department or office should contact and continue to consult with Human Resources, the Provost’s Office, the Dean of Students Office (as appropriate) and/or the BAT before taking any action toward the individual (e.g., disciplinary action), as such action may trigger or escalate the individual’s behavior. For purposes of accessing student records, members of the BAT are University officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).