Protocol

The BIT developed a protocol to ensure that critical student behavior or mental health issues or incidents are addressed appropriately.

There are 3 BIT categories:

1. Self-Injurious behavior/ suicidal ideation or attempt.
2. Erratic behavior (including online activities) that disrupts the mission and/or normal proceedings of University students, faculty, or staff.
3. Involuntary transportation to the hospital for alcohol and drug use/abuse.
   

Once an incident occurs it is referred to the BIT Chairs and confirmed via incident report or email. The student(s) involved are contacted by letter and are instructed to undergo an assessment at the Counseling & Human Development Center (CHDC).

The type of assessment is dependent on the behavior. Students are, at a minimum, required to undergo a 4 session assessment by Counseling and Human Development Center Staff. Students involuntarily hospitalized for alcohol/drug abuse are required to undergo an assessment and an 8 session group with students who have been involved in similar incidents.

Students may appeal the initial assessment and/or group by meeting with the BIT Chair, who may allow for individual counseling or an assessment by an outside agency.

Students who fail to comply with the request for assessment and/or to complete the assessments/groups may be referred to the University’s student conduct system and may summarily removed from the University for ‘Failure to comply’.

Provision - Post assessment, any potential disciplinary sanction will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The University’s default position for involuntary hospitalization for alcohol will be an ‘FIO’ or For Information Only finding for the alcohol violation. An FIO finding indicates that the record of the alleged offense is for internal University of South Carolina Office of Student Judicial Programs records only, and will not be shared without consent to anyone outside the University of South Carolina system. Students who have violated the alcohol policy but bring another student who needs involuntary hospitalization to the staff or law enforcement attention may be given an ‘FIO’ finding for an alcohol violation as well.

Other members of BIT will be contacted as needed on a case-by-case basis. After the assessment, the BIT will make a determination that takes into consideration the student’s best interest as well as the best interest of the University community.

Possible outcomes include but are not limited to:

• 4 session assessment
  
• 8 week "Redefining Your Relationship with Substances" group
  
• Referral to a more appropriate campus resource
  
• Medical withdrawal from the University
  
• Referral to off-campus treatment
  
• Reduction in access to courses and/or facilities