A Jesuit Approach to Students of Concerns Committees: Overcoming Challenges, Improving

Student Care, Enhancing Community Safety

JASPA Summer InstituteJuly 21, 2010

David deBoer, Ph.D.Diane Asaro, M.S.N.Jane Neufeld. M. Ed.

Jeremy Inabinet, M.Ed.

Our Goals for Today

Summarize the formation, scope and functioning of our group

Provide perspectives from: Wellness Center Director, Dean of Students/Chair, Chief Student Conduct Administrator, and Behavioral Consultant

Identify distinctly Jesuit influences of our work

Promote Group Discussion/Sharing of Lessons Learned

Establishing Buy in and Administrative Authority

Diane Asaro

“Our Way of Proceeding”“Jesuits and others involved in Ignatian endeavors often refer to “our way of proceeding”. This is a hard to define collection of attitudes, customs and values that gives Ignatian work its characteristic flavor.”

Fleming, David SJ. (2008). What is Ignatian Spiritualty?. Loyola Press, Chicago.

Establishing Buy in and Administrative Authority

Selection and strength of concepts Approach Transparency Community Ongoing faculty/staff education Evaluation

Establishing Buy-in and Administrative Authority

2007

Oct./First Proposal for CLEWS

March 2008• Cabinet • Student Affairs

Committee/BOT• Faculty Council• 1st BCT planning

(members)• USGA Senate

April 2008• Faculty UPC• Council of

Deans • Staff Council

meeting• UCC

Simultaneously• Discussion with

Academics/discuss withdrawal and re-entry

• Plan fac/staff training• InternationalPrograms• UMC/ITS/HR

Final sign off by President—Summer ‘08

BCT rollout in

Fall 2008

Inclusion in development

Challenges/Lessons Learned

Responding to concernsWho decides if it is a mental health

issue?Confidentiality of BCT and Wellness

Center recordsImpact on current reporting structures

The Role of the Committee Chair

Jane Neufeld

Membership of BCT Chair – Dean of Students Wellness Center (Medical and Mental Health) Residence Life Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Services for Students with Disabilities Campus Safety Ministry Academic Advising Associate Provost Legal Counsel (as non-member consultant)

Scope of Our Mission

Personal Safety of Self or Others Behavior indicates acute personal

distress Pattern of disruptive, disturbed or

disturbing behavior Alcohol, drug violations or associated

hospital transports

Operational Procedures Standing meeting, Mondays at 11:00

am Reports come to us:

› BCT mailbox› BCT hotline

Records and proceedings confidential Database

Challenges/Lessons Learned Academics - key Every situation is unique Put holds on accounts Database Panic button in office/windows on

doors Cura Personalis

BCT’s Effect on Role as Dean of Students

How time is spent/dedicated Life/job goes on, could be full time job Confidential situations Title of DOS Fewer interactions with students (i.e.

fewer students consume more time)

Role of a Student Conduct Administrator

Jeremy Inabinet

Role of a Student Conduct Officer Provide history of any previous

behavioral/conduct concerns Maintain overall database of

comprehensive records Address issues of non-compliance Educate university constituents on

interface of BCT and Student Conduct

Challenges/Lessons Learned Letting behavioral issues be treated as

non-conduct issues Validating issues as non-conduct issues Adjudicating cases that result in “Failure

to Comply” Instituted Policy Changes

Role of a Mental Health Consultant

David deBoer

Role of a Mental Health Consultant

Provide psychological perspective to behavioral issues that emerge

Provide linkage to needed care for students of concern

Conduct medical clearance interviews and mandated assessments

Educate university constituents on interface of BCT and Wellness services

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Protecting patient boundaries and confidentiality while providing needed consultation

Protecting the Wellness Center’s reputation among students as a safe space

Assisting mental health staff in maintaining a flexible and collaborative sensibility around an interdepartmental threat assessment approach

Importance of transparency Accurately conveying the limits of what

counselors can and cannot assess and predict

A Uniquely Jesuit challenge

Discerning the meanings and mandate of Cura Personalis for the range of issues presented to Students of Concerns Teams

Questions for Discussion