Indigenous Behavioural Intervention Team
The St Lawrence College Behavioural Intervention Team is a group of campus professionals who collaborate on and respond to reports of concerning or disruptive behaviours on campus. The BIT is responsible for coordinating information, strategies, support and resources in order to assist individuals who may be in distress or are exhibiting behaviours of concern. The BIT encourages student health and well-being, and a safe campus environment overall.
The BIT is the central point for reporting concerning behaviour on campus. The team meets weekly to:
- Review reports of concerning or disruptive behaviour received from faculty, staff, administration, and students,
- Assess risk to individuals and the campus community using a coordinated approach and standardized evidence-based risk assessment tools, and
- Coordinate appropriate interventions to support individual wellbeing and community safety.
The BIT team is a multidisciplinary group of professionals trained in threat assessment and behavioural intervention strategies. The team consists of:
- Associate Director, Safety and Security
- Associate Director, Workplace Relations
- Academic Administration
- Manager, Risk, Contract, and Insurance
- Associate Director, Student Wellness & Accessibility
- Manager, Student Rights and Responsibilities
Trust your instincts. If you notice concerning, disturbing or disruptive behaviour from a St. Lawrence College community member, let the BIT know, so that they can assess the situation and ensure appropriate supports are in place.
Please note: the BIT is not an emergency resource. If you believe that a member of the SLC community poses a risk of imminent harm to themselves or someone else, call 911 and/or Campus Security as appropriate. Then, submit a BIT report to let the team know a referral was made.
You should submit a BIT report if you are concerned about the behaviour of someone within the SLC community. Some examples of behaviours of concern that might lead to a BIT report are listed below:
- Significant and frequent disruptive behaviour beyond the scope of normal classroom management,
- Verbal or physical aggression, threats to self or others,
- Self-harming behaviours,
- A significant change in appearance, mood and/or social functioning,
- Actions that potentially impact the safety of themselves or others in the community,
- Repeated intoxication in inappropriate circumstances (i.e. in class),
- Disturbing or out-of-context references to violence,
- Expression of suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness,
- Disproportionate emotional response to topics or events, or
- Repeated absences or failure to submit assignments, unresponsive to outreach.
After you submit a report, you will receive a confirmation that the report was received. You may also be contacted by a member of the BIT for more information, or with recommendations from the team regarding steps you can take.
Not sure whether you should submit a BIT report? Submit one anyway!
Contact the team for issues that can't be easily defined as a student conduct violation (which is reported to Student Rights & Responsibilities staff – SRRO@sl.on.ca) or an emergency situation (which should be reported to the Police), or a perceived or present threat or imminent danger (which should be reported to Safety & Security).
The team operates prior to a student issue becoming a conduct issue and/or emergency situation. Note that counselling requires the student's participation. However, the team reviews the situation and determines which strategies to use and which college resources will be used to support the person of concern.
Concerned about someone?
Submitting a concern to BIT helps prevent escalation of potentially harmful situations, and gets people connected to needed supports as soon as possible.
You don’t need to determine the level of risk – just share your concerns. Reporting is an act of care.
Always submit a BIT report if you are concerned about a community member’s behaviour or wellbeing. When in doubt, report anyway!
Please note: the BIT is not an emergency resource. If you believe that a member of the SLC community poses a risk of imminent harm to themselves or someone else, call 911 and/or Campus Security as appropriate. Then, submit a BIT report to let the team know a referral was made.
In the absence of an emergency, please submit a BIT report by clicking the "Submit a Report" button at the top of the page.
CHALLENGING SITUATIONS AND HOW TO RESPOND
"Someone is putting themselves or others at immediate risk of harm."
E.g., violence or behaviours causing/risking bodily harm, immediate plan to die by suicide and access to means, serious injury or medical event.
- Call 911 and/or Campus Security, 5555.
- Submit a BIT Report.
“Someone appears to be experiencing a significant mental health crisis.”
E.g., direct or indirect reference to wanting to die, expressed feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, unusually rapid or incoherent speech, significant agitation, disconnect from reality.
- During business hours, call Student Wellness & Accessibility for consultation and appointment availability: 5504.
After-hours and on weekends, call Campus Security: ext. 5555 or the Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988.
“I am concerned about someone’s wellbeing, but it’s not a crisis situation.”
e.g., notable changes in mood or appearance, emotional outbursts, frequent crying, bizarre content in academic work, repeated class absences, disclosed family or financial challenges.
- Submit a BIT Report or consult with the SRRO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone within the campus community who feels that an individual is exhibiting behaviours of concern can submit a BIT report.
There is no harm in submitting a report, and the BIT is not a disciplinary body. The BIT is a team of trained professionals who can assess risk and provide any appropriate interventions and supports. By sharing your concerns, you are showing that you care, and ensuring that SLC community members who might be in distress are getting the assistance they need.
The only people with access to the information you provide are members of the BIT and, in certain instances, college administration. The BIT only shares information on a strict need-to-know basis.
The BIT will try their best to address the situation as discreetly as possible. There is no guarantee that the individual will not be able to find out about your report. However, the team’s main intention is to provide the necessary support for the individual and their efforts will be focused on doing that, rather than discussing how the information was provided.
BIT reports can be submitted anonymously. However, anyone reporting is strongly encouraged to include their name and contact details, in case further information is needed to assist with follow up.
If you are worried about your own behaviour or wellbeing, there are many resources and supports available at the College and in the community. BIT welcomes self-referrals.
In an emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest hospital emergency room.
Many crisis resources are available 24/7. Please see this page for a list of supports near you.
You may wish to connect with Student Wellness & Accessibility for counselling or mental health support: swa@sl.on.ca.
Student shows evidence of a dangerous action or evidence of an emergency situation to self and/or others.
Call 911
Student seems to present a threat to self/others and/or an imminent threat or danger is perceived.
Call Campus Security: x5555 and/or 911
Perceived student conduct violations.
Submit a Code of Conduct complaint via email to SRRO@sl.on.ca
Person in crisis situation needing care; e.g., expressing suicidal thoughts, emotional breakdown, family/work stressors, alcoholism, etc.
Contact Student Wellness and Accessibility x5504
Click here for a full list of Wellness resources
Student behaviors that do not pose an immediate threat but are a concern and could escalate if not addressed.
Click the Link.
For questions about BIT:
Student Rights & Responsibilities Office
SRRO@sl.on.ca
Phone: 613-544-5400, ext. 5532
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am-4pm