Hannah Hoffert, MS
Mental Health Coordinator and BIT Director
Thatcher Hall, Office 1109
hannah.hoffert@dakotacollege.edu
(701) 228-5636
DCB BIT Purpose and Goal
The purpose of the Behavior Intervention Team is to assist students who might be struggling academically and/or emotionally. The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT) has been mandated by the State Board of Higher Education.
The goal is to help students, of concern, successfully cope with their difficulties so they can regain normal productivity. The Team’s role in this initiative is to work with the campus community to identify students who might be struggling, gather as much information as possible about their circumstances, and refer them to a helping resource.
DCB Behavior Intervention Team promotes the well-being of each individual student, especially when they begin to struggle mentally, emotionally, and academically. To enhance the safety of students, faculty, and staff at DCB.
If immediate assistance is needed, please contact 911 at your discretion.
988 is a 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The team needs your help in identifying members of the campus community who might require early intervention and support that prevents a behavioral concern from rising to the level of a threat or crisis. If you have a concern about a member of our community, please report it to a member of the team.
Team Members
Hannah Hoffert, MS
Mental Health Coordinator and BIT Director,
Office: Thatcher Hall, Room 1109
Telephone: 701-228-5636
Email: hannah.hoffert@dakotacollege.edu
Laura Halvorson
Director of Student Services & Title IX Coordinator
Office: Thatcher Hall
Telephone: 701-228-5680
Email: laura.halvorson@dakotacollege.edu
Michelle Cauley
Natural Resources Instructor
Office: Molberg, Room 22
Telephone: 701-228-5636
Email: michelle.cauley@dakotacollege.edu
Corey Gorder, MS, LPCC
Associate Dean of Student Success and Licensed Practicing Clinical Counselor
Office Location: Thatcher Hall
Telephone: 701-228-5451
Email: corey.gorder@dakotacollege.edu
Paige Baade
Assistant Dean for Nursing and Health Professionals
Office: Old Main
Telephone: 701-228-5444
Email: paige.baade@dakotacollege.edu
Danielle Clemenson
Registrar
Office: Nelson Science Center
Telephone: 701-228-5470
Email: danielle.clemenson@dakotacollege.edu
Roles and Responsibilities
What concerning behaviors should BIT members watch for?
(Reported from NDSU’s website – student life/BIT)
- Changes in academic performance in the classroom
- Significant drop in examination scores
- Change in pattern of interaction
- Changes in physical appearance
- Problems concerning & remembering things or making decisions
- Repeated request for special consideration
- New or regularly occurring behavior which pushes the limits and may interfere with class management or be disruptive to other students, faculty or staff
- Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses
- Persistent sadness or unexplained crying
- High levels of irritability or inappropriate excitement
- Highly disturbed behavior
- Outbursts of anger
- Inability to communicate clearly
- Irrational conversation or speech that seems disconnected
- Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that are not there, beliefs or actions at odds with reality)
- Suspiciousness, irrational feelings of persecution
- Statements related to death or dying or feelings of hopelessness
- Threats of harming self or harming others
How will I know when an intervention might be required?
You were asked to serve on the Team because of the work you do on campus and the care and concern for student that it entails. You are well placed to become aware of behavior issues that “bubble up” from our campus and community that need attention. As a Team, your collective proximity or closeness to student life and to colleagues affords you the opportunity to be in-the-know. When you are made aware of a possible behavior issue – either directly or indirectly – bring it to the Team to determine an action plan. You will need to distinguish between an emergency and a circumstance that requires intervention. An emergency requires immediate action from Student, Business, or Risk Management Affairs personnel and emergency management is not a responsibility of the Team.
Discipline Issues vs Other Student Behavior Issues
Straight forward violations of the Campus Student Conduct Code are handled by the DCB Student Affairs Office and are not the responsibility of the Behavior Intervention Team. In simple terms, the BIT’s responsibility is to be proactive in helping provide a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and faculty.
Referrals
The BIT may assist the student / individual with possible referrals, such as the Campus Nurse, Title IX Coordinator, Associate Dean, etc.
How to Refer
Please see form above to submit an individual of concern, or please reach out to a member of the BIT listed above.