Introduction

Colleges and universities around the country are becoming more diligent and proactive in providing a safe environment for students, faculty and staff, and visitors to their campuses. State and federal legislation is being enacted and amended to allow local authorities and university employees the ability to communicate vital information concerning possible threats. Virginia lawmakers have gone as far as to require notification of parents “if a student receives mental-health treatment from a counselor or some other staff member on a campus” (Hermes, 2008). Changes in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will give administrators “appropriate flexibility and deference” with regard to the disclosure of educational records and information (Federal Register, 2008). Additionally, each technical college in Georgia has been directed by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to develop a plan and select a committee to address potential issues that could affect college safety and security. In response, Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) has established the Behavioral Intervention Team (TEAM) to serve as an additional measure for campus safety.

It should be understood that even with the best intentions, situations may arise that are unforeseen by any member of the college community. The team will operate in some instances with very limited information while exercising due diligence to protect the college, community, and the individual.

Mission Statement

The Behavior Intervention Team is committed to promoting safety via a proactive, coordinated, and planned approach to the identification, prevention, assessment, management, and reduction of interpersonal and behavioral threats to the safety and wellbeing of Coastal Pines Technical College students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Goals

  • Provide a safe physical environment for members of the college community,
  • Provide a safe emotional environment for the college community, and
  • Promote peace of mind for friends and family of the college community.

Overview

CPTC has established the Behavioral Intervention Team to assist in addressing situations where students, faculty, or staff are displaying behaviors that are disruptive, threatening, or concerning in nature that potentially impede their own or others’ ability to function successfully or safely. These procedures are designed to help identify persons whose behaviors potentially endanger their own or others’ health and safety or are disruptive to the educational or administrative processes of the college.

It is the responsibility of faculty, staff, and students to immediately report any situation that could possibly result in harm to anyone at the college. Any member of the campus community may become aware of a troubling person or situation that is causing serious anxiety, stress, or fear. However, behavioral assessment should not be confused with crises management. A crisis may be defined where a person may pose an active or immediate risk of violence to self or others.

CPTC employs security officers to perform safety and security functions on our campuses. Security Officers may be reached at one of the phone numbers below; contact 911 if you need emergency assistance.

CPTC has a security officer on campus during the hours students occupy the buildings. For non-emergency assistance:

  • Campus Police Chief (Ethan Johnson): 912-288-7810
  • Alma: 912-427-1890
  • Baxley: 912-427-1890
  • Camden: 912-427-1890
  • Golden Isles: 912-427-1890
  • Hazlehurst: 912-427-1890
  • Jesup: 912-427-1890
  • Waycross: 912-427-1890

The Behavioral Intervention Team will meet monthly and on an emergency, basis to review referrals brought forward by faculty, staff, and students concerning disruptive, inappropriate, and/or threatening behavior. For the safety of the campus community, any threat, explicit or implied, will be considered a statement of intent.

How Do I Report a Concern?

Individuals may submit a report about a person of concern in a few different ways: