What do I do if I know a student who may need to be referred to the BIT process?

1. If you feel there is an immediate threat, call USC Police at 911 or 777-4215.
2. To make a referral, go to http://www.sc.edu/BIT and use the Incident Report button in the center of the BIT homepage. You will be asked for basic information about the student, how to contact you (in case the BIT committee has follow-up questions) and for a description of the incident or behaviors that prompted the referral.
3. You are the Behavioral Intervention Team’s best resource because you are familiar to the student. If you are comfortable doing so, tell the student that you are concerned and ask if he/she is OK. In many cases students will indicate that he/she could use some help and you can refer them to the Counseling and Human Development Center (CHDC) at http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc.

Who can make a BIT referral?

Anyone who feels a student is a threat to themselves and/or the community can make a BIT referral; including students, parents, faculty and staff, and other community members.

What happens after I make the referral?

The team of members from the CHDC, Office of Student Judicial Programs (OSJP), University Housing, USC Police, and Student Health Services are able to take the information and make a decision about whether the student should be assessed by the CHDC. However reporting is the most critical step.

Refer to the Resources tab on the left-hand side of the BIT homepage to find contact information and explanations on how these departments can assist you.

What happens to the student in the BIT process?

If the team determines the student is appropriate for the BIT process, he/she will be contacted and instructed to undergo an assessment at the Counseling & Human Development Center (CHDC). The type of assessment is dependent on the behavior. Students are generally required to undergo a minimum of 4 sessions of assessment by CHDC staff. Students with involuntary hospitalizations due to substance use will complete an 8-week skills based group.

How do I know if it is a BIT issue or if it is more appropriately handled by other campus resources?

You do not have to make this determination; the BIT will do it for you. The most critical step is that you report it at http://www.sc.edu/BIT. If another campus resource is more appropriate, the BIT will refer the student and handle the transfer of information.

Typically, behaviors that pose a threat to safety or that cause a significant community disruption qualify as BIT, while students who experience other mental health issues are appropriate referrals to the CHDC at http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc.

NOTE: Never promise confidentiality to student(s) during initial referral.