Office of Student Assistance and Support

Behavior Intervention Team

The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) is an interdisciplinary campus team that supports student success, health and wellbeing. BIT is chaired by the Director of the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) and includes members from various campus units that work together to identify appropriate interventions and supports for students whose behavior is disruptive or concerning. These will support the identified student and assist the affected university community members.  

BIT receives referrals and addresses concerns including disruptive or concerning behaviors, difficulty accessing resources, academic distress, self-harm, and personal, emotional, and/or psychological difficulties. Referrals can be made by any member of BIT but are most often generated by the OSAS, which receives and assesses all campus Student of Concern referrals. BIT meets weekly to review cases, discuss interventions, and ensure continuity of care for students on BIT agenda. 

Referral and consultation process

The Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) serves as the entry point for most concerns that might be referred to the Behavior Intervention Team. OSAS staff will determine if a BIT referral is warranted based on the circumstances.

Refer a student

Concerns about a student’s well-being or a student who may need additional support. Referrals are routed to the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS).

Refer a Student of Concern

Consult

The Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) is the starting place for most student concerns. You can consult with staff about your concerns and determine next steps.

Consult with OSAS

Emergency and after hours

For all emergency or mental health crisis situations, no matter what time they occur, you should first reach out to one of these resources.

Team responsibilities

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BIT will engage in its work while maintaining compliance with all university rules and regulations, state and federal statutes, as follows:

  • Review referrals, gather additional information, make decisions, and document information about students of concern from campus partners. 
  • Perform an initial assessment of the behaviors of concern; facilitate specific and appropriate strategies to manage potentially harmful or disruptive behavior. 
  • Collaborate with campus partners to assist with the response to the student. 
  • Implement strategies and monitor progress of the student of concern and parties responsible for implementing the intervention. Follow up as needed. 
  • Refer cases to the Threat Intervention Team as appropriate for assessment and management. 
  • Document all intervention strategies with supporting rationale. 
  • Make recommendations for university policy and procedural issues. 
  • Maintain confidentiality according to FERPA as well as HIPAA when applicable. 

Threshold standards for referring to BIT

The following factors will be used to determine if a student is referred to BIT: 

  • The student demonstrates concerning behavior. 
  • The student’s behavior creates a disruption to the campus community. 
  • Earlier efforts by university staff have not addressed the presenting concerns. 
  • The student’s behavior has prompted concern or involvement from multiple touch points across campus and/or in the community

Potential interventions

  • Meeting with the student
  • Case management with an OSAS Care Coordinator
  • Mental health referral
  • Exploring a voluntary withdrawal
  • Law enforcement community caretaker response
  • Requesting welfare checks and/or contacting emergency contact when deemed appropriate
  • Referral to campus support resources or community services

BIT does not have disciplinary authority and does not determine interim actions, sanctions, or other disciplinary actions (e.g., suspensions, holds on accounts, or access restrictions). Students are not required to comply with interventions suggested by the team. 

Responding to crisis or emergency situations

Mental health crisis

Call crisis services for active mental health crises:

Emergencies

Call 911 or UWPD non-emergency at 608-264-2677

  • Student is threatening the safety of self or others 
  • Student is acting in a frightening or threatening manner 
  • Student is not leaving a classroom after being asked to leave 

BIT does not respond to emergencies or active crises.

BIT team members

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Core team members

Core team members participate in all BIT meetings and are often involved directly in interventions and case consults. 

  • Associate Dean of Students, Director of the Office of Student Assistance and Support (Chair) 
  • Assistant Dean of Students, Director of the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards 
  • Assistant Director of Clinical Services, University Health Services – Mental Health Services 
  • Crisis Specialist, University Health Services – Mental Health Services 
  • Care Coordinators, Office of Student Assistance and Support 
  • Access Consultant(s), McBurney Disability Resource Center 
  • Assistant Director and Associate Director for Advising, International Student Services 
  • Detective Sergeant, UW-Madison Police Department 
  • Community Police Officer, UW-Madison Police Department 
  • Assistant Director of Resident Support Services, University Apartments 
  • Assistant Director of Residence Life, Student Conduct & Assistance 
  • Conduct and Assistance Coordinator, Residence Life 
  • Assistant Dean, College of Letters and Science – Student Academic Affairs 

Auxiliary team offices

Representatives from the auxiliary team may attend BIT meetings when a student of concern is affiliated with their unit or when they are directly involved in the intervention. 

  • Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program 
  • Athletics 
  • Graduate School 
  • Office of Legal Affairs 

Campus guidance for supporting students