Concerning Behavior Report Form
The Behavioral Team (BIT) is a multi-unit campus team dedicated to promoting campus safety, student well-being, and early intervention. The BIT is chaired by the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and includes members from various campus departments that work together to identify appropriate support for students whose behavior is disruptive or concerning. The BIT's mission is to identify students who may be struggling, provide coordinated information gathering, outreach to the student in distress, and connect the student with resources to support their college success.
The BIT is not a disciplinary body, nor does it respond directly to emergencies or active crises. It operates from a lens of care, concern, and support while partnering with faculty, staff, and students to help students in distress before situations escalate. If a student exhibits behavior that you feel indicates immediate danger to the student or others, contact Campus Police at 940-397-4239 or dial 911 immediately.
The BIT exists to:
- Identify, assess, and address concerns involving students in distress
- Connect students with campus-based resources and support
- Provide consultation on students in distress to faculty, staff, and peers
- Coordinate communication between key campus offices
- Promote early intervention
Submit a referral for concerning student behavior when a student:
- Shows signs of academic, emotional, financial, physical, or interpersonal distress of an escalating nature
- Makes concerning statements or expresses thoughts of self-harm, or harm to others, verbally, or in writing
- Exhibits a change in behavior that is unusual, disruptive, erratic, or alarming
- Experiences a significant life crisis or event that impacts their well-being
- Appears unable to care for themselves
- Leaves you with a "gut feeling" that something is wrong
If you are unsure, submit a referral. The BIT is here to help assess the situation and information.
To submit a referral for concerning student behavior to the BIT, complete the Concerning Behavior Form. When making the referral, the form will ask for:
- Your name and contact information
- The student's name and identifying information
- Description of the incident or concerning student behavior
- Timeline of events or patterns
- Documents, emails, screenshots, or statements (if applicable)
After receiving your referral, a member of the BIT will:
- Review the information
- Contact the student (if appropriate)
- Coordinate supportive outreach and provide resource information
- Develop a plan for follow-up care (if appropriate)
- Reach out to you for any clarification or updates (if appropriate)
The student's name is shared with all BIT representatives for the team's weekly meeting. During the meeting, the referred student of concern is discussed and Team members share any relevant insights or updates based on their area of expertise. Risk is assessed using a best-practice rubric, an employee is assigned to follow up with the student, and a support plan may be developed.
Emergency and Crisis Situation
The BIT is not a crisis response body. If a student exhibits behavior that you feel indicates immediate danger to the student or others, contact Campus Police at 940-397-4239 or dial 911 immediately. Examples of emergencies include times when a student:
- Is expressing active thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Is in immediate physical danger
- Is expressing active thoughts of harm to others
- Is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency
- Shows severe disorientation or inability to function (e.g. drive a car)
- Possesses a weapon they are not legally permitted to have on their person
After contacting police, submit a BIT referral so the Team can coordinate follow-up care after the incident and initial triage. BIT referrals are reviewed during normal weekday business hours.
Non-campus emergency support resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
- National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
BIT Consultation
If you'd like to talk through how to approach a student, what language to use, what campus resources may be available to support a student, or how to frame your concerns before engaging in a challenging conversation, the Behavioral Intervention Team is available for private consultation.
Contact a member of BIT when you:
- Are unsure of how to begin a conversation with a student who appears distressed
- Want guidance on what supportive language sounds like
- Need help understanding what resources might fit a student's situation
- Want reassurance that your planned approach is appropriate
- Feel uneasy or uncertain about the student's potential reaction
- Simply want to walk though a scenario before acting
A BIT member can:
- Listen to your concerns
- Help identify key talking points
- Suggest supportive, non-judgmental phrasing
- Help you decide whether you should talk with the student directly or submit a BIT referral
- Clarify available campus resources
- Provide next-step recommendations based on the level of concern
BIT Members
Core members of the BIT are listed below and can be contacted for consultation.
Dail NeelyDirector of Student Rights and Responsibilities, BIT Chair
940-397-7500
dail.neely@msutexas.edu
Dr. Angie Reay
Executive Director of Student Wellness
940-397-4466
angie.reay@msutexas.edu
Steve Callarman
Chief of Police
940-397-4239
steven.callarman@msutexas.edu
DaNette Stalnaker
Professional Counselor
940-397-4618
danette.stalnaker@msutexas.edu
Kristi Schulte
Director of Residence Life and Housing
940-397-4217
kristi.schulte@msutexas.edu
Catherine Earley
Academic Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Social Work
940-397-4319
catherine.earley@msutexas.edu
Additional Student Referral Forms and Online Incident Reports
- Absence Letter Request: For students to notify faculty that they will be absent from class. Documentation is received by Student Rights and Responsibilities, who then notifies the faculty of record for each class.
- Academic Withdrawal Request: For students when they need to request a university withdrawal to drop all courses for the current semester. Triggers interventions aimed at persistence.
- Campus Incident Report: For alleged violations of University policy by a MSU student, including academic honesty. Also used for campus crisis or emergency situation follow-up reporting.
- Discrimination or Harassment Report: To report any alleged violations of MSU's Title VI Non-Discrimination Anti-Harassment Policy by an MSU Texas student or employee, including discrimination or harassment based on or related to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected categories, classes, or characteristics.
- General Student Complaint: For currently enrolled students who wish to report a compliant which does not fall under formal grievance policies.
- Sexual Misconduct: To report any alleged violation of MSU Texas's Sexual Misconduct Policy by an MSU student or employee, which you have experienced, witnessed, or been made aware.
- Student Alert: Complete this form when a student is struggling academically due to having never attended class, missed enough class to jeopardize completion of the course, displaying disruptive or otherwise inappropriate classroom behavior.