Behavioral Intervention Team

Ornate door

¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) cares for students, faculty and/or staff who may be in distress. 

The BIT organizes resources and implements a coordinated response with the goal of providing assistance to the individual while mitigating risk to keep the university community healthy and safe.

When to Make a Report

Do you know someone who is:

  • Experiencing a decline in work or academic performance?
  • Demonstrating disruptive or disturbing behavior?
  • Showing dramatic changes in appearance, behavior or weight?
  • Having problems at home, with classes or work?
  • Making disturbing comments in conversation, email, letters, social media postings or papers?
  • Sad, anxious or experiencing dramatic mood shifts?
  • Abusing alcohol or drugs?
  • Isolating themselves socially?
  • Acting paranoid or suspicious?
  • Frequently angry or easily frustrated?
  • Struggling with health problems?

These behaviors, especially when more than one is present, may be signs that a student, faculty member or staff member is in distress. 

There are many resources available at ¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ to help:

  • Student Concerns — For more information, consult the Dean of Students Office at 512-448-8408
  • Staff and Faculty Concerns — Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 512-448-8540
  • Immediate Concerns — If this is an emergency and requires immediate attention, please contact the University Police Department at 512-448-8444

Red Folder Campaign

¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ launched the Red Folder Campaign to serve as a reference guide and tool to help faculty and staff support students in distress. Distribution of the folders is often accompanied by a brief training from a team of staff members who consult on student welfare. Contact the Dean of Students Office to schedule training and/or receive hard copies of the Red Folder publication.

Your confidential report to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) can make a difference.

Make a Report

To report information regarding a student at ¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ, complete the .

To make a report about a faculty or staff member, complete the .

When making a report, it’s important to provide as much information as possible so the BIT can properly respond and intervene. Please include the following:

  • The student, faculty or staff member’s name and SEU ID number (if known).
  • Brief factual description of the incident or behavior.
  • Direct quotes whenever possible.
  • Where and when the incident or behavior occurred.
  • Names and contact information of witnesses.
  • Your name, position and complete contact information.
  • All emails or other information you have*.

*Be sure to always save voice recordings, text messages and/or emails so you can pass them along to the BIT.

Behavioral Intervention Team Members

Lisa L. Kirkpatrick, PhD (Chair)

Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration

Steven Pinkenburg

Dean of Students

Ellisha Isom

Director of Residential Education

Molly Wang

Director of Counseling Services

Homer Huerta

Commander of the University Police Department

Connie Rey Rodriguez

Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Welfare

Kendall Swanson

Director of Academic Counseling and Support

Alethia Ostfeld

Director of Student Disability Services

Melissa Esqueda, PhD

Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion