What is the BIRT?
The Behavioral Intervention Resource Team (BIRT) reviews reports of incidents or observations to provide a systematic response to students or employees whose behavior on campus may be disruptive or harmful to themselves or the campus community. Using a case management approach, the BIRT reviews and assesses reports of incidents or experiences that may be described as distressed, disruptive, or in need of some form of response or regulation. The team recommends appropriate intervention strategies to connect the student or employee with campus and/or community resources, or for referral to other potential outcomes. The ultimate concern of the team is to address the well-being and safety of the campus community and to connect persons with resources for behavioral assistance.
Team Members and Meetings
Members of the BIRT include representation from Campus Security, the faculty, and the Student Development division, specifically, with personnel from counseling/mental health services, accessibility services, and Veterans’ services. The team will have scheduled meetings during the fall, spring, and summer terms and will convene either in person or virtually to review reports that are submitted to assess information and identify intervention strategies that address the person(s) who are reported as having behavior that is ‘concerning.’
Team Members
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Carolyn Salanger, Vice President for Student Development; Chair | salangerc@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2128 |
| Mr. Will Voris, Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs | vorisw8896@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2319 |
| Ms. Sheila Regan, Vice President for Academic Affairs | regans@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2137 |
| Ms. Anne Marie Ross, Associate Professor of Psychology | rossa@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2379 |
| Ms. Heather Simons, Counselor | simonsh9085@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2308 |
| Mr. Chris Smoot, Director of Campus Security | smootb2473@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2299 |
| Ms. Deborah Wodhanil, Accessibility Counselor | wodhanild1605@rockinghamcc.edu | 336-342-4261, ext 2243 |
Examples of Reportable Behaviors
The Behavioral Intervention Resource Team provides proactive assistance to students or employees who are reported as having behaviors of concern, with the aim of providing support to those individuals as well as assistance to the college’s faculty and staff.
In general, there are three categories of behaviors that may warrant a report to the Behavioral Intervention Resource Team:
- Self-injurious behavior (suicidal ideation/attempt, cutting behavior, dangerous alcohol/substance abuse consumption);
- Disruptive behavior that violates campus community safety (such as disruptions of the normal activities of a classroom setting, homicidal threats, stalking, assault, cyber bullying, carrying weapons) – call Campus Security immediately at 336-342-4261, extension 2299;
- Unusual behaviors (such as noticeably changes in personality, depressive symptoms, shifts in mood, unexplained irritability and/or lethargy, expressions of hopelessness).
Examples of specific types of behaviors that should be reported are listed below. Persons submitting a report should use their judgment as to what merits a report, erring on the side of over-reporting if in doubt. (For example, a certain single incident may seem minor, but other when other similar incidents occur close to each other, this may indicate a pattern not visible to the witness of a single incident.) Examples of reportable behaviors:
- Extreme rudeness or insubordination by students to college employees, or similar treatment by employees to students or other employees;
- Classroom disruption (outside of minor classroom management issues);
- Threatening words or actions;
- Violations of the Student Code of Conduct that pertain to disruptions of campus life, college operations, or threatening behavior toward other persons;
- Drunkenness or inebriation in the classroom or in the workplace;
- Threatening words or actions communicated to others;
- Writings that convey clear intentions to harm self or others;
- Observed self-injurious behavior, such as cutting or burning;
- Suicidal tendencies, including threats (“I am going to kill myself”), gestures (fully erasing one’s computer hard drive), ideation (“I’ve always thought about killing myself by jumping off a cliff”), or actual attempt;
- Acts motivated by hatred or discrimination;
- Stalking;
- Hazing;
- Extreme lack of responsiveness;
- Harassment;
- Known “accidental” overdoses;
- Alarming references to guns, ammunition, bombs, or weapons;
- Alarming infatuation with fire or firearms.
How to Report a Concern
Persons who notice behaviors that fall within the categories described above are strongly encouraged to report the behavior to the Behavioral Intervention Resource Team. Each report will be reviewed by the team for appropriate action. There are two ways an individual can be referred to the team:
- Complete the online Concern Form.
- Make a report directly through email or phone message to a member of the Behavioral Intervention Resource Team.
