4:14 p.m., March 8, 2010----The new University of Delaware Student Behavior Consultation Team fields concerns about student behavior. Members of the University community who are worried about a student's mental health or the safety of campus are encouraged to contact the team, which includes a number of campus units.

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Together, the Student Behavior Consultation Team (SBCT) works to develop individualized support plans for students to ensure their health, well-being and successful academic experiences, while also promoting overall campus safety. In the wake of the events at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University, many schools around the country have formed similar threat assessment teams.

“The SBCT offers a coordinated approach to helping students who are experiencing distress and are of concern to the University,” said Dawn Thompson, dean of students and associate vice president for student life.

Representatives from the Center for Counseling and Student Development, Campus and Public Safety, Dean of Students Office, Office of Student Conduct, and Residence Life meet weekly to promote campus safety through an active process of threat assessment and behavioral intervention. Faculty and staff are encouraged to inform the SBCT about anyone who has engaged in threatening behaviors or done something that raised serious concern about their well-being, stability, or potential for violence or suicide.

“Faculty and staff in particular are very observant of student behavior. They can tell when a student's behavior changes or the student is not doing well. It's important they know they have a resource and can reach out,” said Charles Beale, director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development.

Contact the SBCT by calling the Dean of Students Office at (302) 831-8939 or by sending an email to [sbct-contact@udel.edu].

For more information, visit the SBCT Web site. The site also provides a downloadable guide for faculty and staff on recognizing and helping students in distress.

All campus community members are reminded in an emergency to call Public Safety at (302) 831-2222 or to dial 911.