Office of Student Affairs

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Behavioral Assessment and Intervention

Know When to Dial 911

  • There is an immediate need for intervention
  • There is an indication of an imminent threat
  • A direct act of violence has occurred

Stay Informed

SafeZone: Sign up for alerts and download the app for the most up-to-date emergency information.

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) oversees the Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Team (BAIT) in which is a resource designed to support the campus community by identifying and addressing concerning behaviors in students. If a student is experiencing a crisis, exhibiting unusual behavior, or engaging in actions that could be perceived as harmful to themselves or others, a BAIT referral can be made by completing the Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Form. BAIT members evaluate these reports to ensure appropriate support and intervention.

For employee-related concerns, reports should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 956.326.2365.

Recognizing Concerning Behaviors

Best Responsive Practices

Speaking with Students in Distress

Referring Students to Resources

Glossary of Terms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Recognize

Concerning the Behavior Matrix

This matrix outlines various behaviors and actions, detailing how they may be perceived by those evaluating concerning behavior. It highlights classroom, psychological, and physical contexts to indicate where and how these behaviors might manifest. The matrix categorizes behaviors into disruptive, distressing, and threatening, aiding in assessing their severity.

Disruptive

Classroom Behavior

  • Constant interruptions
  • Talking on the phone during class
  • Excessive noise
  • Unproductive arguing or debate
  • Untimely laughing, crying, or talking
  • Use of profanity or pejorative language
  • Harassment
  • Failure to respect other students' rights to express their viewpoints

Psychological Behavior

  • Failure to cooperate or follow rules
  • Rapid, confusing, or grandiose speech
  • Impulsive talking without consideration
  • Prolonged nonverbal behaviors (e.g., glaring or staring)
  • Refusal to speak or respond to questions
  • Entitled or disrespectful communication with professors or peers

Physical Behavior

  • Aggressiveness
  • Bizarre or strange behavior
  • Signs of intoxication or substance use
  • Bullying
  • Becoming belligerent when confronted
  • Offensive comments (racist, demeaning, lewd)

Distress

Classroom Behavior

  • Missed classes and assignments
  • Sudden academic decline
  • Disturbing content in writing assignments, projects, or discussions
  • Lack of response to communications or requests
  • Overt inattentiveness (e.g., "zoned out" or emotionally withdrawn)

Psychological Behavior

  • Mood changes
  • Disclosing distressing life situations
  • Concerns raised by other students
  • Irritability or frustration
  • Blaming others for mistakes
  • Social isolation
  • Frequent lateness or early departure
  • Lack of participation or drowsiness affecting teaching

Physical Behavior

  • Sudden change in physical appearance or personal hygiene
  • Disproportionate or unusual responses to events or discussions
  • Excessive fearfulness, panic, or anxiety
  • Comments about inability to sleep or eat
  • Signs of injury (cuts or bruising)

Threatening

Classroom Behavior

  • Safety concerns from students
  • Aggressive behavior towards others
  • Intentional damage or abuse
  • Sharing inappropriate content online
  • Serious threats of violence
  • Threat statements (e.g., "I am buying a gun and shooting all my enemies." or "I have a bomb in my bag.")

Psychological Behavior

  • Statements about suicide
  • Disturbing comments in person, via email, or telephone
  • Conversations with direct or implied threats about safety
  • Objectifying language that depersonalizes professors or students
  • Conversations designed to upset others, including descriptions of weapons, killing, or death

Physical Behavior

  • Self-injurious behavior
  • Unexplained aggressive behavior or disruptive outbursts
  • Verbal or written statements to whether direct or implied about suicide, homicide, sexual assault, self-harm, or domestic violence
  • Unprovoked anger, hostility, threats toward others or self
  • Stalking or harassing behavior

Respond

Best Practices and Courses of Action

Understanding how to respond to concerning behaviors is crucial, as not all require emergency action. Students need safe spaces to express themselves, but their distressing behaviors can cause fear in others. Psychological fear arises from perceived threats, even without physical danger. Balancing our own fear is key to effectively addressing these issues. The matrix below helps in understanding behavior and providing appropriate support.

Disruptive

Best Practices

  • Ask students to leave if disruption occurs
  • Speak with the student privately
  • Defuse the situation by expressing concern
  • Listen with care

Contact

  • Student Affairs | 956.326.2265 | studentaffairs@tamiu.edu
  • College / School's Dean's Office
  • University Police Department | 956.326.2911 (Emergency) | 956.326.2100 (Non-Emergency) | SafeZone

Distress

Best Practices

  • Speak with the student privately
  • Ask open-ended questions to help identify problems
  • Encourage students to meet with a counselor or physician
  • Refer the student to Student Counseling Services

Contact

Threatening

Best Practices

  • If the student is in the classroom and poses a danger, dismiss the class and contact UPD immediately
  • Speak calmly and defuse by asking questions if the student does not pose an immediate student threat
  • Refer the student to Student Counseling Services

Contact

BAIT Flow Chart

Is the student in immediate danger to themselves or others?

Yes

Contact UPD or call 911.

No
Does the student want help?

Yes

  • Refer the student to Student Counseling Services
  • Contact the Office of Student Affairs

No

  • Consult with others.
  • Refer the student to the BAIT page for resources.
  • Encourage students to contact resources.
  • Follow up with the student.
Not Sure
I am worried, and my interaction left me concerned that the student is distressed.
  • Consult with the Office of Student Affairs or Student Counseling Services.
  • File a BAIT form on Report It.
  • Refer the student to the BAIT page for resources.
  • Follow up with the student.
TAMIU BAIT Flow Chart
The BAIT flow chart above is by Student Engagement. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs if you have any questions.

Speaking with Students in Distress

Reaching out to students in distress may be daunting. Creating spaces that foster psychological safety encourages students to express themselves to receive effective support. Balancing your own fear involves managing your emotions to remain calm and supportive. Your composure and empathy reassure students and model healthy coping strategies. The following questions and tips can help to initiate conversations that guide students toward academic and personal success.

Start the Conversation

  • "Can you tell me what's going on?"
  • "How are you feeling right now?"
  • "Is there something specific that's bothering you?"

  • "What can I do to help you right now?"
  • "Would you like to take a break and talk about it?"
  • "Is there someone you'd like to talk to?"

  • "Can you help me understand how you're feeling?"
  • "When did you start feeling this way?"
  • "Has something like this happened before?"

  • "What do you think would help you feel better?"
  • "Would you like to go to a quieter place?"
  • "Do you need some time alone or someone to sit with you?"

  • "What do you think might help you calm down?"
  • "How do you usually handle situations like this?"
  • "What have you done in the past that helped in similar situations?"

  • "Are you feeling safe right now?"
  • "Is there anything that's making you feel unsafe?"

  • "What can we do together to make this better?"
  • "Who else do you think can help you?"

Tips for De-Escalation

Stay Calm: Your calm demeanor can help calm the student.

Active Listening: Show that you are listening by nodding and maintaining eye contact.

Empathy: Validate their feelings by acknowledging their emotions.

Respect Personal Space: Keep a comfortable distance to avoid making them feel cornered or threatened.

Positive Reinforcement: Encourage them by acknowledging any positive steps they take to calm down.

Bystander Intervention Training

The Office of Title IX provides the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training to faculty, staff, and students at TAMIU. To learn more about this opportunity or to request a training, please contact the office at 956.326.2858 or visit go.tamiu.edu/greendot.

Refer

Resource Contact Information

Unsure of who to contact or have a concern not listed below? Contact Student Affairs at 956.326.2265 or studentaffairs@tamiu.edu for guidance on any concerning behavior.

Resources for Student Concerns

  • Student Affairs | 956.326.2265 | studentaffairs@tamiu.edu
    • Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Team | Report It
  • University Police Department | 956.326.2911 (Emergency) | 956.326.2100 (Non-Emergency) | SafeZone

On and Off - Campus Resources

Additional Resources

Report It: TAMIU's proactive reporting system allowing community members to submit concerns about potential issues. These reports are reviewed by a team of professionals who promptly follow up with students to share resources and support that may help them through any challenge or concern they are experiencing. The following are Report It processes:

  • Case Management: A collaborative process between a staff member and student to achieve goals by identifying concerns, assessing obstacles, setting goals, and monitoring needs and services.
  • Behavioral Assessment & Intervention Team: A university committee providing high-level care for students in crisis, creating strategies to support student well-being and success, involving academic advisors, case managers, and other campus stakeholders. Additionally, they are charged with assessing circumstances, enhancing communication, and initiating appropriate responses to specific behavior problems that may involve threats to the safety and security of the university community.

Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA): A federal law protecting the privacy of student education records, outlining parents' and students' rights regarding disclosure and annual notifications. It is not a violation of FERPA to inform University Police, the Director of Student Affairs, or other consultative offices listed when reporting an incident of a student in distress.

Mandated Reporting:

  • Title IX Incidents at Colleges / Universities: Employees must report any information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking involving a person enrolled or employed at the time of the incident.
  • Child Abuse or Neglect: If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24-hour toll-free abuse hotline at 1-800-525-5400 or dial 911 for emergencies.
  • Abuse of Adults with Disabilities or Seniors: Anyone suspecting abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an adult with disabilities or a senior aged 65 or older can report it by calling 1.800.252.5400 or visiting of txabusehotline.org.

Glossary of Terms

Crisis: A time of intense difficulty or challenge, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed, confused, or unable to cope.

Imminence: The quality of being ready to occur, impending, or dangerously near.

Psychological Fear: Intense fear or anxiety felt internally when perceiving an imminent threat, triggering physiological responses even without physical danger.

Psychological Safety: The belief that one can express themselves without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status, or career. It's about creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable being themselves, sharing their thoughts, and making mistakes without fear of judgment or retribution.

Registered Disability: A student formally registered with Student Disability Services, having requested, and been granted academic adjustments based on supporting documentation.

Targeted Violence: Any premeditated act of violence directed at specific individuals, groups, or locations, violating U.S. or State criminal laws.

True Threat: When a speaker communicates a serious expression of intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals.

Welfare Check: A police request to check on someone who may be a danger to themselves or others, a child at immediate risk, or a criminal situation of immediate concern.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Early intervention can prevent crises, connect individuals with support, and maintain a safe, healthy community environment. Even small concerns can help identify patterns before they escalate.

No. The goal is not punishment but support and risk reduction. Reporting allows the team to connect individuals with resources before a crisis develops.

Reports are handled discreetly. The team maintains confidentiality to the fullest extent possible under university policy and applicable privacy laws (such as FERPA). Your identity will not be shared unless absolutely necessary to ensure safety or comply with legal requirements.

The team complies with applicable privacy laws such as FERPA, HIPAA, or employment confidentiality rules. Information is shared only with those who need to know to protect safety and provide support.

Once a report is received:

  1. BAIT reviews and discusses the information.
  2. Additional context or documentation may be gathered.
  3. The team assesses the level of concern or risk.
  4. A coordinated response or support plan is developed — such as outreach, referral to counseling, or other interventions.
  5. BAIT continues to monitor the situation, as appropriate.

Outcomes vary depending on the concern, and may include:

  • Wellness checks or counseling referrals
  • Academic or housing support
  • Behavioral agreements or interventions
  • Crisis management and safety planning
  • Coordination with campus or local law enforcement
  • Ongoing monitoring and support

The focus is support and prevention, not punishment unless in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

If you believe someone poses an immediate danger to themselves or others, call 911 (or campus / emergency security) immediately. Then, after the situation is safe, submit a report to BAIT for follow-up.

Contact Us

Office of Student Affairs

5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, TX 78041

 

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Office of Student Affairs
Student Center (STC) 226
5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, Texas 78041
Email: studentaffairs@tamiu.edu
Phone: 956.326.2265

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - Closed

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