{"id":577,"date":"2025-05-21T14:23:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T19:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/deanofstudents\/?page_id=577"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:47:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:47:48","slug":"behavior-intervention-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/deanofstudents\/behavior-intervention-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Behavior Intervention Team (BIT)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 51ÁÔÆæ Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) intervenes when there are behaviors that threaten the health or safety of others.\u202f\u202fBIT gathers information regarding threats to others<\/strong> or the campus community, assesses those threats, and identifies and implements interventions to mitigate and\/or manage the threat(s) if threats are identified.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BIT is not an emergency response team. Behaviors that require immediate attention are handled by 51ÁÔÆæ Police.\u202fIf there is an emergency or if you need immediate assistance, call 9-911 from a campus phone and 414-229-9911 from a cell phone. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Threat assessment does not replace other classroom management responsibilities, supervisory workplace duties, or disciplinary processes, it supplements those efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you notice behavior that is threatening and\/or dangerous, or similar behavior, submit a\u202freport<\/strong><\/a>. If you are uncertain about whether the behavior is concerning, we still encourage you to\u202freport it<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reporting information goes to University officials, which is permitted under FERPA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

51ÁÔÆæ has also established a Student Support Team (SST)<\/a> to assist in matters where students may be experiencing considerable emotional distress, including potential for self-harm or harm to others, and to connect to appropriate resources.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIT Membership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The BIT is chaired by the Dean of Students and the Chief of Police for the 51ÁÔÆæ Police Department.  The other BIT members, or their designees, are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Legal Counsel\u202f <\/td><\/tr>
Director of University Housing\u202f <\/td><\/tr>
Director of University Counseling Services\u202f <\/td><\/tr>
Campus Health Officer\u202f <\/td><\/tr>
Associate Dean of Students \u2013 Conduct\u202f <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If the matter involves an individual with an affiliation to another University office and\/or group, BIT may invite other staff members assist with a case on an as needed basis.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIT members are trained annually and do on-going training and tabletop exercises.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Threat Assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The BIT uses the National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NaBITA) Risk Rubric for assessing threats.  The NaBITA Risk Rubric includes a D-Scale for evaluating Life Stress and Emotional Health and an E-Scale for evaluating Hostility and Violence to Others.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When BIT is evaluating a case, the NaBITA Risk Rubric is used as an initial assessment to determine next steps for gathering information, assessment of risk, and\/or intervention.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For incidents that include extremist and\/or terrorist violence, the BIT team uses the Extremist Risk Intervention Scale (ERIS).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is no threat made or present, potential interventions could include a meeting with the reporter and the individual, a meeting with the Dean of Students staff member (for students), student conduct (UWS Chapter 17) or Human Resources response, referral to resources, and\/or conflict management, mediation, or problem solving.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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