Student Behavioral Threat Assessment and Intervention Team (BIT)

Administrative Procedure 4.602

This procedure became effective on August 24, 2026.

The Behavioral Threat Assessment and Intervention Team, known as the BIT at Elgin Community College (ECC), is guided by the National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA) threat assessment and the Desinger, Randazzo & Savage Threat Assessment and Management Process protocols to ensure the well-being and safety of the campus community. 

The BIT consists of a cross-functional team of college personnel with expertise in law enforcement, threat assessment, tactical response, college operations, student services, judicial affairs, and psychological practice. A collaborative approach to threat assessment is employed. Depending on the situation, personnel with specialized expertise not currently represented on the BIT may be called upon to assist as ad hoc members or consultants. Members of the campus community who have specific concerns about a student may also be consulted or notified, as appropriate. The team includes the Associate Vice President of Student Services and Development, Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Student Success, Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, Associate Dean of Recruitment, Outreach, and Global Engagement, and Wellness Professionals.

The role of the BIT is:

  • To assess situations using an established protocol in which students are reported to be displaying threatening or disruptive behaviors that potentially impede their own or others’ ability to function successfully or safely at ECC
  • To intervene those threats
  • To assist students in distress

This work is achieved through early intervention, support, warning/notification, and coordinated response efforts designed to prevent situations of concern from escalating into more serious safety risks.

A “threat” is defined as any conduct - verbal, non-verbal, physical, electronic, or written - that presents a clear and present danger to self and/or others. In immediate and serious threatening situations, the President or their designee and the Elgin Community College Police Department reserve the right to waive the referral to the BIT and act immediately in the best interest of campus safety.

Procedure

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to report observations of potentially threatening behavior involving an ECC student or occurring on the ECC campus. Reports may be made at any time by contacting any member of the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Intervention Team via phone, or by submitting a BIT report using the online reporting tool. If the campus is closed, a report should be filed with the complainant’s local police department or contact 911.

Upon receiving an initial report, the Dean of Students (or Designee) will immediately conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the BIT needs to be convened or if the report should be referred to Wellness Services, or another appropriate department. A preliminary investigation may include contacting faculty, staff and/or students related to the case, as well as meeting with the referred student. To ensure the well-being and safety of the campus community in the interim, the referred student may be immediately removed from campus while the investigation proceeds.

The Dean of Students will always convene the BIT whenever a student is issued an interim suspension from campus for behavioral reasons. The BIT will meet and complete the threat assessment within five (5) college business days if the student has been removed from campus. If a student is placed on interim suspension, requirements to return to campus will be outlined in a letter to the student.

The BIT has full investigatory authority when reviewing the alleged concern(s) in order to properly evaluate the student’s behavior.

The BIT has the authority to:

  • Interview the student, witnesses, the complainant, and any individual who may provide information relevant to a proper assessment.
  • Inspect all student records.
  • Request medical records or an evaluation from a community agency that conducts relevant evaluations or from other qualified medical professionals.
  • Notify a designated person, identified by a student who has completed and submitted a Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Form, that a qualified examiner, as defined by the Illinois Student Optional Disclosure of Private Mental Health Act, has made a determination that the student poses a clear and imminent danger to themself or others.
  • Disclose confidential, personally identifiable information about a student without their consent, to any individuals the College reasonably determines needs the information for public health and safety reasons, subject to and consistent with the conditions and limitations set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its regulations.

Once the BIT has met and finalized its decision, the BIT will prepare a recommendation report. The report may include, but is not limited to:

  • A description of the allegation(s) and any applicable code of conduct violation(s)
  • Actions taken by the BIT to investigate the behavior.
  • An assessment of the level of threat posed by the student to the health, safety, and welfare of themself or others.
  • An action plan for the student.

The Dean of Students or their designee will communicate with the student to explain the BIT’s decision. The student will receive a written letter detailing the investigation, findings, and decisions. A hard copy of the BIT report will be maintained in a secured location by the Dean of Students’ office, as appropriate under FERPA, when it impacts the student’s safety and/or the campus community. Affected parties will be informed of the BIT’s decision, and reports will be provided as soon as information becomes available.

NOTE: If a Code of Conduct violation has also occurred, the investigation may move to the Student Disciplinary Committee after the assessment has been completed and interventions have been identified, and will serve as the student’s due process. Faculty, staff and administrators displaying threatening behaviors will be referred to Human Resources.

This policy was last reviewed on 05/08/2026.

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