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Student C.A.R.E. (Campus Awareness & Risk Evaluation) Team

The Student CARE Team receives and responds to reports of concerning student behavior and works to ensure a proper response to students whose behavior may be disruptive or harmful to themselves or others. In cases deemed appropriate for CARE involvement, the team will assign members to meet with the student, determine a course of action, and provide a report to the Dean of Student Affairs.

When concerns arise, CARE will gather information and address the situation in a manner that takes into consideration the student's actions, the student's needs, and the potential impact on the campus community.

CARE is comprised of faculty from each of the colleges and a representative from Student Affairs. The team chairperson is appointed by the Dean of Student Affairs. Representatives from Student Counseling and University Police serve as consultants to the team.

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CARE case involvement:

  1. Appropriate: Concerning behaviors (as listed below) are the primary focus of the team.
  2. Inappropriate: Dangerous behaviors that violate the Student Code of Conduct or are of imminent threat to the student or the campus community are beyond the scope of the team. Disciplinary matters must be addressed through proper administrative channels.

Definitions:

  1. Concerning behavior (including but not limited to):
    • Bizarre thoughts or behavior
    • Withdrawal or isolation from others
    • Deteriorating personal hygiene
    • Frequent displays of anger
    • Behavior that can be reasonably interpreted as threatening
    • Harassment or intimidation
    • Erratic behavior that disrupts the normal proceedings of students, staff or faculty
    • Excessive use of substances
    • Verbal or written expression of suicidal thoughts
    • Behavior that results in concerns about personal safety
    • Posting of disturbing material on social media
    • Unacceptable use of profanity or pejorative language
    • Disordered eating
    • Failure to respect the rights of others
    • Behavior that has resulted in involuntary medical care for mental health or substance abuse issues
  2. Dangerous Behaviors (beyond the scope of CARE)
    • Physical violence
    • Explicit threat of violence toward any person or part of the Upstate campus community
    • Highly disruptive behavior including hostile, aggressive, bullying, intimidating and/or violent behaviors
    • Suicidal actions or self-injury
    • Threat to self or self-harm
    • Stalking
    • Destruction of property
    • Possession of weapons
    • Sexual assault

Matters not appropriate for CARE intervention:

  1. High Risk Behavior - all circumstances of clear and imminent danger that may result in physical harm (to self or others) or damage of property. University Police (464-4000) should be notified immediately and Dean of Student Affairs (464-4816) informed without delay.
  2. Suicide Risk
    1. Referral to Student Counseling is indicated for concerns about student self-harm. (464-3120, Ext. 8)
    2. University Police should be contacted immediately for threatened suicide or suicide in progress (464-4000) and the Dean of Student Affairs informed without delay.
  3. Disruptive Behavior
    1. Faculty or staff who observe or learn about highly disruptive behavior in class or elsewhere should contact the Dean of Student Affairs without delay.
    2. University Police (464-4000) should be called in a situation of escalating concern.

Procedure:

  1. CARE meets at least quarterly, but shall meet as frequently as necessary to address active cases or referrals.
  2. Reports of concerning student behavior may be submitted by any member of the Upstate campus community to the CARE chair, Dean of Student Affairs, or any member of the team via an email or in person.
  3. The report is reviewed by the chair and two team members are assigned to meet with the student, preferably within 48 hours from the day the report is received.
  4. Assigned team members meet with the student to discuss the concerning behavior, contributing factors and to assess the student’s perspective on how and why the situation has developed and how it might be resolved. Some cases may require additional investigational steps including further observation of the student, interviews with individuals who have a personal connection to the student, consultation with Student Counseling, and/or guidance from University Counsel. The Dean of Student Affairs will be informed at each stage of the process.
  5. The entire team may be convened to consider the most appropriate course of action. A written report including their collective opinion concerning the behavior of the student and recommendations for resolution/disposition of the case will be presented to the Dean at the conclusion of the investigation. Matters of greater urgency shall require an expedited report to the Dean of Student Affairs for action.
  6. A record of each case will be maintained by the chair and the Dean of Student Affairs.

CARE Membership:


  1. Julie R. White, Student Affairs
  2. Tammy Austin-Ketch, College of Nursing
  3. Karen Klingman, College of Nursing
  4. Mark Schmitt, College of Graduate Studies
  5. Katherine Beissner, College of Health Professions
  6. Leann Lesperance, Undergraduate Medical Education Office and Binghamton Clinical Campus
  7. Erika Taylor, University Police Department
  8. Jarrod Bagatell, Employee/Student Health
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