Tackling difficult student behavior

What’s Up With This Student, and How Do I Help?! Presented by the NCTC Counseling and Testing

Office and the NCTC Campus Police

Maintaining an effective and Safe Learning EnvironmentStudent StressTypes of Problematic BehaviorDistress (Mild or Moderate Behavior)Disturbance (Elevated Behavior)Dysregulation (Severe or Extreme Behavior)

• Maintaining an Effective and Safe Learning Environment• Types of Concerning Behavior• Appropriate Interventions Based on Behaviors• How to Communicate with a Student in Distress• Confidentiality and FERPA • Types of Reporting • On-Campus Resources

Agenda

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive approach in helping our students succeed.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed. Early Alert

Behavior InterventionTeam (BIT)

Judicial Affairs

OSD (Office for Students with Disabilities)

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

Academic: Early Alert

The Early Alert program was established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize this service if students are struggling in a course (missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, potentially in need of accommodations, etc.).

Instructors may refer students to this program by clicking the “Early Alert Reporting” button on your course roster on MyNCTC and completing the necessary information. Staff can send an Early Alert via counseling@nctc.edu.

A Counseling and Testing Advisor will notify the student via NCTC e-mail address to discuss possible strategies for completing the course(s) successfully.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

NCTC CARES Team (BIT)

The NCTC Cares Team (Behavioral Intervention Team/BIT) addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm.

Faculty, staff and students can report concerning behavior which could impact the NCTC Community by visiting: http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/CARES.aspx .and clicking “Complete a CARES Team Reporting/Referral Form”.

Immediate action will be taken to assist the individual. This is why accurate personal e-mail and phone numbers, as well as activating the NCTC student e-mail account, are so important!

For immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another individual), please call 911 immediately. Campus police are notified when 911 is contacted from a college line.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

Project REV

Project REV is a federally funded program that provides resources for victims of the following crimes (both women AND men): dating or domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Together with Denton County Friends of the Family and Abigail’s Arms, Project REV offers a wide range of services,

which include but are not limited to: •Academic Advocacy •Counseling Services •Referrals and Resources •Assistance with Protective Orders •Shelter Services •Presentations and Training •Awareness-Raising and Education

Please encourage students to contact the Counseling & Testing Department for assistance with Project REV-related issues.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

Judicial AffairsNorth Central Texas College has established standards of conduct to foster a safe environment which promotes learning, development and student success. Students and college student groups are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect for the rights and property of others and upholds the integrity of the college community.

The standards of conduct are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct located in the Student Handbook.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to report any violations to the Student Code of Conduct by visiting: http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/CARES.aspx and clicking “Complete a CARES Team Reporting/Referral Form”.

An investigation will take place immediately and appropriate hearing and sanctions will be implemented.

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

North Central Texas College has established standards of conduct to foster a safe environment which promotes learning, development and student success. Students and college student groups are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect for the rights and property of others and upholds the integrity of the college community.

The standards of conduct are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct located in the Student Handbook at www.nctc.edu

No exceptions to student violation of the Student Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

Students with Disabilities

• Must follow the policies and procedures in the Student Code of Conduct

• Show them respect• Listen carefully

It is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment to meet with the student to discuss the issue in private. If the student has self disclosed that he/she is a student with disabilities please contact:

Office for Students with Disabilities:Gainesville, Bowie & GrahamYvonne Sandmann ysandmann@nctc.edu Corinth & Flower MoundK. Wayne Smith kwsmith@nctc.edu

If the student poses an immediate threat call 911 from a campus phone.

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may: •lack social skills •display unusual language •avoid eye contact •have low stress tolerance

People with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as: •responding inappropriately in conversations •misreading nonverbal interactions •difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age

If the student has special accommodations, faculty or staff may consult with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).

Important to note…

• Distress (Mild or Moderate Behavior)• Disturbance (Elevated Behavior)• Dysregulation (Severe or Extreme

Behavior)

Types of Problematic Behavior

• Dramatic drop in grades• Comments or jokes about killing

themselves or someone else• Excessively seeking out a faculty or staff

member• Fragmented and disjointed writing• Rambling and incoherent emails• Emotional outbursts• Extended conversations out loud while alone

Distress (Mild or Moderate Behavior)

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

Disruptive Behavior

Examples of Disrespectful Behavior (may be a result of feeling

distressed):• Too Much Chit Chatting• “Spacing out” or Sleeping in Class• Monopolizing Discussions• Inappropriate E-mails to Faculty or Staff• Name Calling

Should be Addressed in the Syllabus• Repeated Tardiness• Cell Phone Disruptions• Leaving Class Frequently

It is good practice to point out the disruptive behavior as soon as possible (may have to be right after class) and address what student needs to do differently/moreappropriately before the next class meeting.

• Talk to the student in a quiet, private area when both of you have time and are not rushed

• Give the student your undivided attention• Be direct and non-judgmental• Listen sensitively• Refer (Early Alert or CARES Team)• Follow up

NOTE: If you don’t feel comfortable talking with the student, contact a member of the CARES Team or fill out a Referral Form

Interventions for a Distressed Student (Mild or Moderate Behavior)

• Interrupts or interferes with daily functions of the educational process.

• A student who verbally intimidates others. • A student who is excessively demanding of

faculty or staff. • Interrupting in class by:

Making hostile remarks out of turn. Aggressively taking over the lecture.

Disturbance (Elevated Behavior)

• Request that the student stop the disruptive behavior.• If the problem continues, ask the student to leave the area or

class. • Speak to the student privately. If you are uncomfortable meeting

with the student alone, request that the appropriate personnel meet with you.

• Remind student of the inappropriateness of the behavior. • Explain consequences if the behavior does not change. • Document the content of the meeting. • If the behavior continues, consult with a member of the CARES

Team regarding your next step.

NOTE: If you do not feel comfortable, contact the Campus Dean or Director, and Campus Police.

Interventions for Disturbance (Elevated Behavior)

• Direct threats to others or themselves. • Displaying a weapon or firearm. • Physically attacking someone. • Harassing or stalking faculty, a staff

member or another student. • Threatening communication (letters, emails,

text messages, etc.) to others.

Dysregulation (Severe or Extreme Behavior)

Call 911 from a campus phone if there is an immediate risk to self or others, and alert your Campus Dean or Director.

Red flag phrases “I promise” and “Can you keep a secret?”

Students cannot promise their own safety, and neither can you Secrets are usually information that needs to be reported E-mails, writing assignments, artwork, etc. can be an outlet for

secret feelings/distress

Interventions for Dysregulation (Severe or Extreme Behavior)

Show you care: Say, “I’m concerned about you. I notice ___________.”

Listen with respect. Individuals in distress want to be heard.• Get help • Explore options • Offer resources

Ask, “Who or what can help with this situation?”

Avoid being the only lifeline. Get assistance.

Ask, “How would you feel about talking to an advisor or counselor?” or

“Let’s walk over right now. I’ll go with you.”

How to Express Concern

Ask about threatening behavior directly.

Note: Talking about it does not put the idea in a students’

heads.

Say “I’m worried about you and I want you to be safe.”

Let them know that if they are thinking of harming themselves or

someone else, that it is not a secret to be kept.

A judgment should be made by a mental health professional

about the seriousness of a possible suicidal thought or behavior

How to Communicate with a Student Directly

North Central Texas College cares about our students' academic success, as well as their emotional and physical well-being. The NCTC CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive

approach in helping our students succeed.

• Reporting of everything…...

• Timely reporting leads to a successful intervention…….

• Reporting an incident leads to an investigation Please understand that all details of an investigation may not be shared

with the person reporting the incident.

• Refrain from talking about the particulars with your colleagues and friends

Report, Report, Report

Maintaining confidentiality is of the utmost importance.

The NCTC Official working the incident cannot discuss issues relating to the incident with other faculty and staff.

DO NOT Discuss an incident with anyone other than the NCTC Official who is working the incident.

Confidentiality

Protects the privacy of student education records.

FERPA does not prohibit a college employee from sharing what they personally observe.

FERPA permits school officials to disclose (without student consent) educational records, including personally identifiable information from those records, to protect the health or safety of students or other individuals.

Therefore, a college employee would not violate FERPA by contacting the CARES Team.

FERPA authorizes school officials to disclose educational records to other school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in those records.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Early Alert: Located in MyNCTC Course Roster or e-mail counseling@nctc.edu • Academic Concerns• Attendance Problems• OSD/Disability Issues

CARES Team Reporting/Referral Form http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/CARES.aspx or CARESTeam@nctc.edu • Behavioral Concerns• Mental Health Concerns• Personal Safety Concerns • Code of Conduct Violations

Types of Reporting

Non-emergency calls for Campus Police, call (940) 668-4270 (or just 4270 from campus phone): • Vehicle Assistance• Filing a Report• Criminal Activity• General Questions

Emergency calls, dial 911 from a campus phone:• Medical or fire emergencies• Immediate threats to safety or security

Quick, What’s the Number for 911?!

Resources for Faculty, Staff & Students

Academic, Behavioral, or Safety Concerns: • Early Alerts: MyNCTC Course Roster or counseling@nctc.edu• Behavioral or Mental Health Issues: Counseling and Testing

Office at any campus, or CARESTeam@nctc.edu • Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking: Counseling and Testing, Dean of Students, and/or Campus Police or CARESTeam@nctc.edu

Campus Police:• Chief of Police, James Fitch: 940.668.4271• Police Officer, Marc Stanwyck: 940.668.4270 • Emergency Management, Chris McLaughlin: 940.668.3309

Resources (cont’d.)

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD):• Gainesville, Bowie & Graham: Yvonne Sandmann

ysandmann@nctc.edu • Corinth & Flower Mound: K. Wayne Smith kwsmith@nctc.edu

Code of Conduct or Judicial Issues: • Rod Lipscomb rlipscomb@nctc.edu

Thank you for your Thank you for your participation today! participation today!

Please let us know if we can come visit with your students, staff, or

faculty to share information about personal safety and healthy

behaviors!