SEE SOMETHING
VC faculty and staff are in a unique position to demonstrate compassion for VC students in distress.
Many students may feel alone, isolated and even hopeless when faced with academic and life challenges. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may lead to difficulties coping and other serious consequences.
You may be the person to SEE SOMETHING distressing in your students since you have frequent and prolonged contact with them. Ventura College requests that you act with compassion when assisting students.
SAY SOMETHING
Students exhibiting troubling behaviors in your presence are likely having difficulties in various settings including the classroom, with family, work environments and even in social settings.
Trust your instincts and SAY SOMETHING if a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed or threatened!
DO SOMETHING
Sometimes students cannot or will not turn to family and friends. DO SOMETHING! Your expression of concern may be a critical factor in saving a student’s academic career or even their life.
The purpose of this folder is to help you recognize symptoms of student distress and identify appropriate referrals to outside or campus resources.
ACADEMIC INDICATORS
- Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
- Repeated absences
- Disturbing content in writing or presentations (e.g. violence, death)
- Continuous classroom disruptions
- You find yourself doing more personal counseling during your office hours.
SAFETY RISK INDICATORS
- Unprovoked anger or hostility
- Making implied or direct threats to harm self or others
- Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage worthless ness, isolation, despair acting out, suicidal ideations/ violent behaviors.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INDICATORS
- Self-disclosure of personal distress that could include family problems, financial difficulties, depression, grief or thoughts of suicide
- Excessive tearfulness, panic reactions, irritability or unusual apathy
- Verbal abuse (e.g. taunting, badgering, intimidation)
- Expressions of concern about the student by his/her peers.
PHYSICAL INDICATORS
- Marked changes in physical appearance including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight loos/ gain
- Excessive fatigue/ sleep disturbance
- Intoxication, hangovers or smelling of alcohol
- Disoriented or “out of it"
ASSISTING STUDENTS IN DISTRESS
If you are concerned for your own or others safety due to a student’s disruptive and/or threatening behavior, call 911 or Campus Police at 805-289-6486.
REPORT INCIDENT TO:
Campus Police Department: 805-289-6486
IF A STUDENT IS CAUSING A DISRUPTION BUT DOES NOT POSE A THREAT:
- Ensure your safety in the environment
- Use a calm, non-confrontational approach to defuse/de-escalate the situation
- Set limits by explaining how the behavior is inappropriate
- If the disruptive behaviors persists, notify the student that disciplinary action may be taken. Ask the student to leave and inform them that they are not to return to class until they have met with the VP of Student Affairs.
- Immediately fill out a BICT referral
- If you believe it is a SAFETY RISK, contact Campus Police at 805-289-6486
BICT RESOURCES & TIPS:
BE PROACTIVE: Engage students early on, pay attention to signs of distress, and set limits on disruptive behavior.
BE DIRECT: Don’t be afraid to ask students directly if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, feeling confused or having thoughts of harming themselves or others. Contact Campus police if you still feel they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs- 805 289-6486.
LISTEN SENSITIVELY AND CAREFULLY: Use a non-confrontational approach and a calm voice. Avoid threatening, humiliating and intimidating responses.
SAFETY FIRST: The welfare of the campus community is the top priority when a student displays threatening or potentially violent behavior. Do not hesitate to call for help.
FOLLOW THROUGH: Direct the student to the physical location of the identified resource- walk them to the Health Center- 805 289-6346 Bldg: CRC 108.
CONSULTATION AND DOCUMENTATION: Always document your interactions with distressed students- file a BICT report and report what happened to your Department Chair/and or Dean.
VENTURA COLLEGE CAMPUS RESOURCES:
| Ventura College Campus Police | 805 289-6486 or 911 |
| Student Health Center | 805-289-6436 |
| Behavioral Intervention Caring Team: | Dr. Marnie Melendez 805-552-4152 Mary Jones, Student Health Center 805-289-6346 |
| Student Conduct: | Dr. Marnie Melendez 805-553-4152 |
| Title IX Coordinator: | Dr. Jesus Vega 805-289-6507 |
To file a BICT report please go to: Ventura College Website, Departments, Student Services, BICT referral
SEE SOMETHING. SAY SOMETHING. DO SOMETHING.
NEED TO MAKE A REPORT
