The BIT/CARE Team works to assist students who may pose a risk for harm to themselves or others. The BIT/CARE Team members are certified in conducting risk assessments when there is concern that a student is in distress or may pose a risk to the community. After the initial evaluation is competed, the assessment results will be used to develop a voluntary intervention plan to meet your specific on- or off-campus needs (often determined in conjunction with institutional officials from student code of conduct, Title IX office, and/or BIT/CARE team. Our services are offered to students to make the process easier and less expensive than off-campus alternatives. In some circumstances, our department may need to refer an individual to an off-campus provider. This could happen if the situation is deemed beyond our scope of practice, or our department is unable to devote the necessary resources in a timely manner.
The Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA-35) is a 35-item inventory that is used to assist BIT/CARE team members and/or clinical staff in conducting a thorough and research-based violence risk assessment. The SIVRA-35 is designed to assess the risk and protective factors related to an individual’s potential for engaging in violence and/or risky behaviors.
The assessment results will be used to develop an intervention plan with the BIT/CARE team and/or other relevant offices. The intervention plan will identify voluntary opportunities for you to access support and resources and/or engage in behavioral change. Additionally, the assessment results may be provided to the student conduct office and/or Title IX office. Although the assessment results will not be used to determine if the student has violated an institutional policy, they may be used as part of the criteria in determining the need for any emergency removal, interim suspension, interim protective measures, educational sanctions, and/or similar outcomes.
Risk assessments are available to students referred by the student code of conduct offices, Title IX office, and/or BIT/CARE team. There is no cost to students.
All students are scheduled for an initial assessment meeting with an assessor. The purpose of the assessment meeting is to explain the risk assessment process, and then to gather information about the current incident(s), the student’s concerns, background information, and pressures that may impact current problems.
The assessment meeting may last from 30-90 minutes with follow-up assessment meetings scheduled as needed. Follow-up meetings are often scheduled to complete the risk assessment, gather additional information, and to clarify information provided during the first interview.
We are committed to providing the best possible risk assessment to our students. The person conducting the risk assessment is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which means that what is said during the meeting(s) remains private and is only shared with designated university officials that have a “legitimate educational interest.” This means knowing the information is necessary for them to fulfill their job responsibilities. The assessor may disclose to external entities if a health and safety emergency exists. You are encouraged to ask any questions about the risk assessment process during the meeting(s) and/or as you review this document.
Records and individual documents are maintained electronically and in accordance with the institution’s records retention policy. They are password-protected and not accessible by unauthorized individuals Records will be maintained for at least seven (7) years after the date of the last contact with our department.
Email communication with the person conducting the risk assessment would be used for scheduling appointments only Because email is not a secure form of communication and our staff does not maintain 24-hour access to email, it will not be used to discuss ongoing assessment-related topics.
