TOPICS
The University of Texas at El Paso cares about students’ success academically, professionally and emotionally. Because of our desire to have our students succeed, we have many departments and services that can assist students with their needs. However, sometimes students do not ask for help when they need to. In an effort to identify those students proactively, UTEP has established a network of professionals from across campus that are committed to a caring, confidential program of identification, intervention and response in order to provide our students the greatest chance of success.
This website will not only educate you on how the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT) works but will also provide you information and tips on how to deal with incidents you may encounter while also providing additional resources at UTEP and in our local community that may assist you as well.
In the event of an emergency or situation that elicits immediate intervention, please contact UTEP Police Department at 747-5611 or call 911. The BAT plays a secondary role to all urgent circumstances and should be contacted only after initial notifications are made. To contact the BAT directly you please contact the Office of Student Life at 747-5648 or stop by Union West 102.
| Chair, Behavior Assessment Team | Ryan C. Holmes, Assistant Dean of Students | Offices of Student Life Union West 102 rholmes@utep.edu 915-747-5648 |
Ongoing Departments of BAT:
| UTEP Police Department | Ray Rodriguez, Assistant Chief of Police |
| University Counseling Center | Dr. Sherri Terrel, Director, University Counseling Center |
| Provost Office | Dr. Harry Meeuwsen, Associate Provost |
| Division of Student Affairs | Catie McCorry-Andalis, Assistant Vice President for Student Life |
Additional Departments that may be invovled in the case depending on the nature of the situation include:
| Disabled Student Services | Dr. Bill Dethlefs, Director |
| EEOA | Sandy Vasquez, Director |
| Graduate School | Yvonne Lopez, Assistant Dean |
| International Programs | Carol Martin, Assistant Director |
| Residence Life | Dr. Charlie Gibbens, Director |
| Undergraduate Studies | Dr. Donna Ekal, Associate Provost |
When a student’s behavior goes beyond the normal classroom disturbances, and/or the student appears distressed, you can contact the BAT for assistance. We will evaluate the circumstances and determine the appropriate plan of action for the student.
To refer a student to the BAT
To refer a student to the BAT, you can contact the Chair of the Behavioral Assessment Team with the name of the student and a brief narrative of their behavior. If you are concerned about a student, but have not witnessed any distressing or disruptive behavior, please explain your concern in detail.
The BAT meets on a regular basis throughout the year, and will review your referral at the next meeting. If a situation requires immediate attention, an emergency BAT meeting can be called at the determination of a BAT chair. All the representatives will have the opportunity to investigate any other information available about the student through their appropriate discipline prior to the meeting. Be assured that the BAT exists to care for our students, and will handle your referral in a professional manner in an effort to best meet the needs of the UTEP community.
At one time or another everyone feels upset or distressed. However, there are three levels of student distress which, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the “normal” ones.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
What Can You Do To Help
Responses to Level 1 and 2 Behavior
Responses to Level 3 Behavior
Responding to Suicidal Concerns
When a student makes any reference to suicide, threat of suicide, or attempt at suicide, a judgment should be made by a mental health professional about the seriousness of a possible suicidal thought or behavior. Suicide attempts are first and foremost a medical emergency. If danger or suicidal behavior appears imminent: 1) Stay calm and 2) Contact Campus Police at 915-747-5611or dial 911.
To Save a Life Remember QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer)
Question the person about suicide
Persuade the person to get help
Refer for help
What is the BAT?
The Behavior Assessment Team (BAT) is a collaborative interdisciplinary committee of University officials that meets regularly to discuss students exhibiting behaviors indicative of high risk.
How can I refer a student to the BAT?
To refer a student to the BAT, you can contact the Chair of the Behavioral Assessment Team with the name of the student and a brief narrative of their behavior. If you are concerned about a student, but have not witnessed any distressing or disruptive behavior, please explain your concern in detail. For more information about referring a student to the BAT, click here.
What happens when a student is referred?
Once the BAT receives a referral, information is provided to the members of the BAT for further discussion. During the meeting, we discuss the incident or concern that was reported, and each member is asked for additional information that may have been collected through their area of expertise. The BAT then creates a plan for the student and designates a contact person that will handle the situation. At each BAT meeting, updates are given regarding previously mentioned students. Counseling Services and Disability Services are available to the BAT for consultation, but are unable to share confidential information about student health and mental health in accordance with federal and state law. Information about a student that is already a client of counseling Services or Disabled Student Services cannot be shared at the BAT without written authorization by the student or in an emergency situation where someone’s health, welfare or safety are at risk. Click here for more information about referring a student to the BAT.
The UTEP Police Department
3118 Sun Bowl Drive
911 emergency
(915) 747-5611
www.utep.edu/police
The University of Texas at El Paso’s Police Department is engaged in a partnership with all university faculty and staff to fulfill the University’s vision to provide quality higher education for a diverse student population and to promote the ideals of excellence and access. The Police Department is committed to this partnership, these ideals and the specific charges of ensuring a safe and welcoming campus environment for students, staff, faculty and the public. If your own or any student’s immediate safety is at risk, this is a crisis situation. Contact 911 or the UTEP Police at 747-5611 for immediately.
Office of Student Life
Union West 102
(915) 747-5648
sa.utep.edu/studentlife
The Office of Student Life works closely with campus and community partners to provide a number of services to assist students and, in some cases, their families and friends during an emergency or crisis situation. These services may include assistance with academic issues, outreach and advocacy for students, and coordination with other relevant UTEP offices such as the UTEP Police Department, Environmental Health and Safety, the Student Health Center, University Counseling Center and Women’s Resource Center. Although our office does not provide counseling services, we can assist students with the following:
Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT)
Office of Student Life
Union West 102
(915) 747-5648
The purpose of the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT) at The University of Texas at El Paso is to identify students in distress, involve critical stakeholders and create an effective plan of action to assist the student so he/she can achieve his/her academic and professional goals. Distressed behavior includes but is not limited to excessive class absences, declining academic performance, poor emotional control, mood swings, changes in sleeping or eating habits, excessive concern about physical or mental health, persistent depression or anxiety, suicidal intent or participating in risky activities. In addition, BAT provides consultation, counseling and resources to members of the university community to address behavioral concerns of students.
The University Counseling Center
Union West 202
(915) 747-5302
sa.utep.edu/counsel
UCC offers confidential counseling services in English or in Spanish. The UCC provides group and individual counseling for currently enrolled UTEP students and consultation services for faculty and staff. The Center offers educational workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics. They strive to help make a student’s educational experience at UTEP a healthy and successful one. Appointments can be made by visiting the University Counseling Center at 202 Union West, Monday through Thursday during regular business hours. Students can “walk in” (without an appointment) to complete paperwork and can usually be seen by a counselor within an hour. The Center is open on Fridays for crisis counseling and scheduled appointments only.
Environmental Health and Safety Department
3120 Sun Bowl Drive
El Paso, Texas 79968-0648
eh&s@utep.edu
UTEP EH&S offers a wide variety of training programs to help the university community understand general campus safety issues, and recognize the specific hazards within their work or environment.
Disabled Student Services Office
Union East 106
(915) 747-5148
sa.utep.edu/dsso
The staff of DSSO welcome the opportunity to provide needed accommodation to students who believe or suspect a disability and need assistance in their pursuit of higher education including the opportunity to participate and benefit from all University sponsored programs, social activities and events. DSSO ensures that reasonable accommodations and services are afforded to students with disabilities such that they have equal opportunities to achieve their academic and professional goals. DSSO Staff serve as liaisons between students and faculty, administrators, and outside agencies so as to provide the best support for students with physical, learning and psychological disabilities.
Student Health Center
Union East 100
(915) 747-5624
chs.utep.edu/health/
The Student Health Center offers confidential health services for all students providing a valid University of Texas at El Paso student ID card. Highly qualified nurse practitioners, doctors and registered dietician staff the Center and offer a wide range of services. Office visits are $5 and dietician visits are free of charge as is HIV testing every 2nd Wednesday from 10:00am-12:00pm.
