The WNC Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) aims to foster a safe campus environment by providing resources to support students, faculty and staff. BIT helps meet the needs of distressed, distressing and or disruptive students through a network of campus and community resources.

Student Support

Sources of Student Distress

  • Academic Difficulty
  • Alcohol or drug problems
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Family/domestic partner problems
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Crying

Distressed Student Signs and Symptoms

Student behavior may indicate a need for additional support.

  • Appearing troubled or confused
  • Arriving late or missing class excessively
  • Crying
  • Lack of motivation/concentration
  • Leaving class early
  • Missing assignments/deadlines
  • Sleeping in class
  • E-mails of excuses
  • Outbursts or shouting/frustration
  • Complacency, withdrawing from engagement

Distressing/Disruptive Students

Student behaviors may be distracting and have a negative impact on the educational experience for other students.

  • Cell phone use or sounds
  • Challenging authority
  • Demanding special treatment
  • Displaying dangerous conduct
  • Dominating discussions
  • Eating/drinking in class
  • Verbal/physical threats to others
  • Making offensive remarks
  • Prolonged chattering
  • Shuffling paper in backpacks and notepads
  • Talking out of turn

Faculty/Staff Support

BIT has procedures in place to ensure open communication between campus departments when a behavioral threat has been identified.

  • Initial threat assessment
  • Consultation toward resolution of an immediate problem
  • Clarification of faculty/staff responsibility in distressed student situations
  • Resource and referral information
  • Strategies and resources for classroom management
  • Campus communication and reporting as necessary
  • Tips for student intervention
  • Student conduct assistance

Prevention and Intervention Tips

Tips for Prevention

  • Establish clear expectations for classroom behavior
  • Identify specific academic guidelines and grading criteria
  • Set up means for routine communication, such as email
  • Get to know your students

Tips for Possible Intervention

  • Address the student directly/privately about your observations or concerns
  • Address behavior, not character
  • If emotional distress is evident, consider calling or walking student to Counseling Services
  • Consider non-counseling referrals, such as Academic Skills Center or Veteran Resource Center
  • Consult a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team for information & support with the student present

Your expression of concern may provide students the motivation they need to seek needed help or services.


Request assistance from BIT by contacting:

Counseling Services 775-445-3267
Disability Support Services 775-445-4459
University Police Services 775-230-1952
Fallon Campus 775-423-7565 Ext. 2240