I. POLICY STATEMENT

It is the University of Colorado Boulder's ("CU-Boulder") policy to establish proactive and collaborative mechanisms for identifying, reporting, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with student behaviors of concern and to have a behavior review and intervention team, in compliance with the University of Colorado's Administrative Policy Statement 7008: Student Behaviors of Concern ("APS").  The title of CU-Boulder's team is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students ("Dean of Students"). As of the date of this policy, CU-Boulder's team is called the Students of Concern Team ("SOCT" or the "Team"). 
 

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set forth how the campus handles student behaviors of concern in compliance with the APS.

III. POLICY AND PROCEDURE

  1. Structure and Case Management
    Under the Dean of Students' leadership, the Division of Student Affairs' Dean of Students office ("DOSO"), which includes  ")Student Support and Case Management, serves as an  accessible and coordinated resource for members of the campus community to communicate concerns about student behavior. 

    Student Support and Case Management serves as the primary resource for managing student issues within the Dean of Students Office, particularly when related to crisis intervention and coordination with other CU-Boulder departments and facilitates communication to and from the SOCT. The key functions of Student support and Case Management are to: triage the referrals and reported information as it comes in; investigate as necessary to gather available information; prioritize cases; and determine the appropriate response, including but not limited to whether the reported information should be reviewed by the SOCT or whether a case manager can provide the needed assistance. Once a student intervention has been initiated and support structures are in place, the case manager may provide further follow up with a student, as needed.

  2. Goals
    The goals of  Student Support and Case Management and SOCT are to: (1) prevent crisis before it occurs through the provision of outreach and educational programming, consultation, appropriate assessment, and referrals; (2) ensure that students whose behavior is of concern are contacted through follow-up processes and have access to the appropriate services so that they have the opportunity to improve their welfare and success; (3) create a unified reporting and tracking system that will allow the SOCT to observe patterns of behavior that may elicit assessment and to provide a documented response to distressed students.
     
  3. Membership 
    The SOCT is comprised of representatives from the DOSO, Residence Life, Office of Student Conduct, Disability Services, CU Boulder Police Department ("UCPD"), and Student Support and Case Management. Consultants may include mental health professionals and legal counsel. Additional consultants are included if their participation will assist the team. Additional consultants may include, Athletics, International Student and Scholar Services, Veterans Services, Academic Advisors, and others from the campus community.
     
  4. Team Meetings 
    The SOCT meets weekly in regular (non-emergency) sessions and may meet ad hoc “as needed.” The Dean of Students, or designee, chairs the SOCT meetings.

    When an urgent situation arises, the Team, or a subset of the Team, may meet to plan an immediate response to a potentially escalating situation.
     

  5. Mechanisms of Reporting
    The DOSO serves as the clearinghouse through which any member of the campus community can report distressing student behaviors.  Student information is FERPA protected and disclosed only in the event of an emergency, or health/safety risk, and/or an educational need to know basis within the institution. 

    Campus staff, faculty and students may refer a student to SOCT by submitting a report through our online Referal form that goes directly to Student Support and Case Management, via phone, or by email.

    Student Support and Case Management Direct Line:  303.492.7348
    Dean of Students Office:  303.492.8476
    Email:  SSCM@colorado.edu
    Online Referral form

    In case of emergency, reporters must contact UCPD or 911. Student Support and Case Management and the SOCT play a secondary role in emergency situations and should be contacted only after making contact with emergency response personnel.
     

  6. Concerning Behaviors
    The following are examples of the types of behaviors the DOSO, Student Support and Case Management, and/or the Team may address. This is not an exhaustive list but provides examples of concerning behaviors or situations:
    • Unusual or abrupt changes in behaviors or patterns
    • Resistance to change or reasonable limits
    • Extreme reaction to a loss or traumatic event
    • Displays paranoia or distrust
    • Online postings to social media sites that indicate a threat to self or others
    • Preoccupation with weapons, violent events or persons who have engaged in violent acts
    • Uncharacteristically decreased performance in work or academics
    • References to harming others or planning a violent or destructive event
    • Evidence of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts/plans
    • Inappropriate responses such as prolonged irritability, angry outburst, or intense reactions
    • Strained interpersonal relations, isolating behaviors, or low self-esteem
    • Significant change in life circumstances such as loss of job or relationship
    • Perceived rejection or injustice
       
  7. Potential Student Support and Case Management and/or SOCT Actions
    The following are examples of authorized actions that will be considered:
    • No action
    • Contact the student via phone or email to extend concern and informally inquire as to the students well-being
    • Consult with faculty and staff familiar with the student
    • Meet with the student(s) involved to discuss:
    • student needs
    • campus services
    • university expectations
    • Refer the student to various programs or services on campus including, but not limited to:  counseling services, financial aid services, disability support services, medical services, victim assistance, and academic support services.
    • Recommend a UCPD welfare check or other police response
    • Notify the parents, guardians, or emergency contact 
    • Initiate the action necessary to place the student on a custodial hold or M-1
    • Summary suspension
    • Refer the student to the Office of Student Conduct for possible disciplinary action
    • Refer allegations of harassment and/or discrimination to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance or the Office of Student Conduct in accordance with university policy
    • Refer allegations of criminal behavior to UCPD or other police department with appropriate jurisdiction
       
  8. Record Retention
    All case management and SOCT records pertaining to students will be stored in the DOSO.  Records will be retained for two years following the student's last date of enrollment.  

 

IV. RELATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES, FORMS, GUIDELINES, AND OTHER RESOURCES

Administrative Policy Statement: Student Behaviors of Concern (APS #7008)

Effective Date:

October 23, 2013

Last reviewed/updated date:

May 21, 2015

Approved by:

Philip DiStefano, Chancellor

Owner:

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs