Director of Risk Assessment/Risk Assessment Case Manager: This position serves as an integral part of the university’s two-pronged initiative to address problematic behavioral issues among the university’s student and employee populations – not only identifying individuals that pose a risk of harm to themselves or others, but also identifying interventions and responses to those issues. The director of the department chairs the BAT, collects information regarding individuals with problematic behaviors and maintains such information as the central point of contact; to provide expertise from a risk and threat management perspective and to ensure that continued follow up with individuals or situations occurs until there are no longer immediate concerns regarding risk.

Violence Prevention and Threat Management (VPTM) Case Manager(s): This position provides direct threat assessment and threat management services in cases involving an employee, student or a non-affiliated individual. This position reports back to the team on interactions with individuals including but not limited to interviews, assessments, ongoing case monitoring and post-hospitalization interviews.

The role of University Police to the BAT is to:

1. Provide advice and assistance from a law enforcement perspective.
2. Advise the team what the police can and cannot do in any given situation.
3. When permissible, provide available information, including criminal history, history of police involvement and present information to assist with the threat assessment process.
4. Serve as a direct liaison with other law enforcement agencies.
5. Facilitate welfare checks on specific cases where there is concern for safety.
6. Assist in the coordination of safety planning with individuals and/or departments.

In situations involving students, the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) provides relevant information to the BAT on known history involving the student or students, including known collateral information, and provides expertise regarding the Code of Student Conduct. OSC is also able to provide information on educational history and administrative and/or disciplinary options.

This position works directly with students in providing them with referrals and resources to assist in addressing their specific needs from the care and support standpoint. They represent the CARES team on the BAT, assist in informing the BAT of additional resources that may be available and assist with the transition to CARES if necessary. This position will further report back to the BAT on interactions with students including but not limited to interviews, assessments, ongoing case monitoring and post-hospitalization, and any additional collateral data known.

The role of the University Housing representative on the BAT is to:

1. Provide context for those residents who live on campus and present threats.
2. Share information from University Housing staff on residents who present threats.
3. Advise the team on what University Housing staff can do to assist victims and perpetrators in any given situation.
4. May facilitate alternative housing arrangements/interim measures when indicated and reasonably feasible.

The role of the Counseling Center on the BAT is to:

1. Provide clinical expertise and knowledge regarding psychological dynamics in regard to particular cases.
2. Exchange information between Counseling Center staff and the BAT, with appropriate releases in place, on students that may be identified within the BAT to enhance standard of care.
3. Advise the BAT on risk factors involving individuals with particular mental health issues and make recommendations for follow up.
4. When outside assessment is indicated, assist with the referral process and interpretation of assessment reports.

In situations involving faculty, staff and non-affiliates, Employee Relations (ER) provides the BAT with relevant personnel data and information maintained by members of management and helps ensure that the team remains balanced and neutral in assessing all conclusions reached before recommending any personnel actions or referrals to supporting resources. ER contributes key skills to the team, including engaging appropriate management and administration; conducting or assisting with the investigatory process; developing communication strategies with affected or involved members of the workplace; and providing guidance to the organization to address and resolve incidents through the imposition of preventative measures, which may include disciplinary action.

The role of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO/Title IX) is to inform the BAT about discrimination, harassment, retaliation and retaliation-related issues and cases that may have additional concerns from a safety perspective. This position works collaboratively with team members on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault. VPTM partners with OEO to provide training for BAT team members to ensure each member understands how to avoid and mitigate discrimination on the basis of a protected class.

Academic Affairs serves as the primary contact in working with faculty and advisors. This position has access to and understanding of academic issues and regulations/policies or protocols as they relate to students and provides this expertise to the BAT as a consultant. This position assists the BAT by providing perspective on academic policies and guidelines and assists in the collection of collateral information related to academic risk factors. 

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is not a member of the BAT but provides legal advice and counsel to the BAT. OGC’s role is to advise and provide information regarding relevant university policies; regulations and rules; and state and federal laws and regulations in the course of investigations and response. Additionally, OGC provides legal counsel pertaining to issues that commonly arise during behavior assessment (e.g., records, right to privacy, compliance, discrimination law, due process, etc.) OGC is also available to discuss balancing risk and liability to the institution with respect to various situations. If necessary, OGC is able to work with University Police and management to obtain necessary court orders to protect the safety of employees and the community. OGC’s legal advice and counsel to the BAT is protected by the attorney-client privilege.