Behavioral Assessment (BAT)
Phoenix College is concerned about the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing an environment where individuals are free to work, learn and teach, and unencumbered by threats of intimidation or harm. To this end, the college has established the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT). BAT is responsible for assessing reports of troubling behavior on the part of students, and implementing interventions that are in the best interest of the College and the individual.
Mission Statement: BAT provides proactive assistance to students who are exhibiting concerning behaviors, both to support students and assist faculty/staff.
Purpose: Phoenix College is committed to the care, welfare, and safety of all of its students, faculty, and staff, and we are dedicated to providing an environment where individuals are free to work, learn, and teach, unencumbered by concerning, alarming, and/or distressed behaviors. BAT is not meant to take the place of standard classroom management techniques utilized by faculty. Implementation of this team does not alter any existing discipline policies. Rather, BAT centralizes the reporting of concerning student behavior and encourages early intervention. The Behavioral Assessment Team is a cross-functional assessment group that will respond to students when appropriate.
The BAT has been created to:
- Act in a proactive manner to assist students,
- Maintain confidentiality and handle all matters discreetly,
- Provide consultation and support to faculty and staff,
- Connect students with needed resources
- Recommend interventions or sanctions.
Ethics of BAT
The ethics of BAT are to provide confidential, respectful, proactive support, while offering resources and balancing the educational needs of students within the overall mission of Phoenix College.
Goals of BAT
- Review information from faculty, staff, students, and/or community members; conduct investigation to determine appropriate response.
- Intervene early. Provide support and response to students displaying varying levels of disruptive, disturbed, or distressed behaviors.
- Centralize collection and assessment of concerning student behaviors. ‘Connect the dots' of disparate problematic actions involving one student that may be known to various faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Coordinate follow-up. Ensure that services, support, and resources are deployed effectively.
- Utilize a formalized protocol of instructions for communication, coordination, and intervention.
- Balance FERPA, HIPAA, and counselor privilege with the college’s need-to-know and emergency communication needs.
- Coordinate actions: psychological assessment, adjudication of conduct issues, disability services, hospitalization, and/or medical leave/withdrawal, as needed.
As a result of growing national trends concerning mental health issues on college campuses, Phoenix College created the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT). BAT has been charged with maintaining a healthy and safe environment for the college community.
BAT is not meant to take the place of standard classroom management techniques utilized by faculty. Implementation of this team does not alter any existing discipline policies. Rather, BAT centralizes the reporting of concerning student behavior and encourages early intervention.
BAT will utilize a database where real-time incident information will be submitted by college employees, students, or other concerned individuals. Incident reports will be reviewed daily (Monday-Friday) during periods of normal operation. The team may follow up with the individual initiating the report, or others, to gather additional information. In some cases, an interview will be arranged with the student of concern to determine appropriate actions. Incident reports should be completed when someone observes incidents of concerning, aberrant, dangerous, or threatening behavior.
Questions should be directed to BAT Co-Chairs Debbie Webster or Andrea M Johnson.
Team Members-
- Dr. Debbie Webster- (Co-Chair) Psychology Department Faculty/Chair 602-285-7794
- Andrea M Johnson- (Co-Chair) Manager of Conduct and Community Standards 602-285-7567
- Dr. Roberto Villegas-Gold Counseling Department Faculty/Chair 602-285-7392
- Dr. Heather Kruse Vice President Student Affairs 602-285-7228
- Cindy Ramos, Dean Student Affairs 602-285-7404
- Wilbert Nelson Dean of Arts and Sciences- Academic Affairs 602-285-7174
- Kristine Kincaid Athletic Director- Student Affairs 602-285-7862
- Matt Verithian Police Commander/College Police- Administrative Services 602-285-7254