Assessing and Responding to Disturbed and Disturbing Students: Understanding the Role of Administrative Teams in Institutions of Higher Education

Abstract

Behavioral and mental health issues challenge institutions of higher education with difficult decisions around response. Interests of the individual and safety of the community must be constantly considered and balanced. A primary way institutions of higher education are responding to these challenges is through the formation of campus assessment teams. This article will address the legal and ethical issues relevant to these teams, and different models for structuring them. Reviewed are potential team names, models, missions, review procedures, documentation, dispositions, group dynamics, and messages to campus. The article concludes with recommendations about the threat assessment process and key concepts relevant to these teams.