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Home :: Policies :: Behavioral Intervention Team ("BIT")

Behavioral Intervention Team ("BIT")

Responsible Department
Student Affairs
Effective Date
  1. .


    The purpose of this policy is to provide a mechanism by which to respond to student behavioral situations affecting the health and safety of the University of North Georgia’s (the “University”) community within Title II Guidelines at the University.

  2. .


    1. Behavioral Intervention Team (“BIT”): The multi-disciplinary group who meets regularly to coordinate the collection and individualized assessment of concerns raised by an enrolled student’s or students’ behavior. Behaviors discussed by the BIT team are those that may indicate distress, that cause a disturbance in the community, and/or that present a danger to the student or to others. The BIT recommends to the administration steps necessary to promote protection against threats to safety, health, and well-being of any member of the University community and to promote a safe campus environment. The BIT also considers and recommends the appropriate level of University intervention and reasonable accommodations to mitigate incidents or issues. Members of the group typically include representatives from the offices of Student Counseling, Residence Life (if applicable for specific campus), Student Health (if applicable for specific campus), Campus Police, Academic Affairs, Student Disability Services, Dean of Students Office, and other University officials as appropriate to the situation.

    2. BIT Chair: The person who serves as leader of the BIT. The Dean of Students for each campus serves in this role.

    3. Imminent Threat: The student intends to carry out harmful actions to self or others at the present moment or at a stated time in the future.

    4. Interim Suspension: An “Interim Suspension” means a suspension during the investigation or before the formal resolution process has concluded.

      An Interim Suspension should only occur in situations that present a serious and immediate danger or threat to persons or property and it is necessary to maintain safety. When considering the use of an Interim Suspension, the BIT should consider the existence of a significant risk to the health or safety of the campus community; the nature, duration and severity of the risk; the probability of potential injury; and whether less restrictive means can be used to mitigate the risk.

    5. Title II Guidelines: Regulations laid out in the second Title of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits state and local government entities from discriminating on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities provided by state and local government entities.

    6. University-Initiated Withdrawal: A withdrawal of a student from a class, classes or the University in a process commenced by the University.

    7. VPSA: the Vice President for Student Affairs.
  3. .


    To promote protection against threats to safety, health, and well-being for any member of the University community and a safe campus environment, the BIT Team should meet regularly and make recommendations to the administration for responding to student behavioral situations.

  4. .


    1. The BIT Meeting:

      1. BIT meetings will occur on a regular basis.

      2. Not all BIT members must be present to convene a meeting and make recommendations.

      3. Any BIT member has the right to convene meetings as needed based on reports of threats to the safety, health, and well-being of any member of the University community.

      4. BIT meetings may occur before or after an initial response by a University official, up to and including Interim Suspension of a student.

      5. Notes, minutes, and records pertaining to BIT meetings and proceedings will be kept by the BIT Chair on each campus. All records deemed confidential shall be treated as such and shall not lose such protection by virtue of being addressed within BIT meetings.

    2. Making Recommendations:

      1. The BIT considers multiple risk factors and makes recommendations to the VPSA, or their designee, regarding the specific individual assessment of the situation.

      2. The BIT may recommend safety plans with reasonable and tailored terms to seek to mitigate the specific behavioral risk to health and safety as long as the plan is based on individual assessment of the situation of concern. Reasonable accommodations and conditions should be protective not punitive. Safety plans will not require the cure of any specific condition or disability and cannot require that the condition or disability not reoccur. Rather, reduction or omission of the behavior of concern based on Student Code of Conduct and other University policies applicable to all students may be required to the point where safe participation in the University community is achieved.

      3. The BIT may recommend any of the following actions to the VPSA or designee, who approves them:

        1. Bar a student from campus, a portion of campus, and/or a specific building on campus for a specific period of time consistent with applicable University Police and administrative procedures.

        2. Issue an Interim Suspension.

        3. Initiate the process for a University-Initiated Withdrawal.

        4. Restrict student from attending class or any University sponsored program or event, including study abroad, temporarily until the student undergoes a mandatory psychological assessment by an outside licensed mental health clinical at the student’s own expense, is cleared by the BIT, and agrees to address any resulting treatment recommendations.

        5. Refer the student to the University Office of Student Conduct for appropriate sanction based on documented behavior.

        6. Continue to monitor the situation.

        7. Any intervention aimed at providing reasonable accommodations designed to ameliorate the risk to health and safety.

      4. In making recommendations, the BIT works to balance the individual needs of the student and the shared needs of the University community. Furthermore, the BIT works to promote equity and fairness and works to prevent disparate treatment of students based on any real or perceived difference or disability.

      5. Due process is provided to the student throughout the BIT process and adequate notice to the student is provided, including deadlines, procedures and right to appeal.


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