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Home >  Dean of Students >  CARE Team

CARE Team

The Campus Assessment Response and Education/Behavioral Intervention Team (CARE/BIT Team) is a campus-wide team of individuals who compassionately identify, consult, and coordinate responses to concerning or disruptive student behavior. 
 

How does the CARE Team work?

If you see or hear something from or about a student that concerns you about the student’s academic success, health, well-being, or safety, report the matter using the Student of Concern Form on the Incident Reporting page. A member of the team will review and respond to the information within 24 - 48 hours. The information shared is private, used solely to determine the best approach to address the student in distress and the concerning behavior.

Interventions and Privacy

The CARE Team determines effective strategies for addressing the concerning student behavior and identifies responsible parties to enact those strategies. The CARE Team prioritizes balancing students’ right to privacy with the university’s duty to respond to students showing concerning behaviors. The team works to connect students with the support and resources they need to be healthy, productive, and functioning members of the Neumann community.

What to Report

Examples of what to report include:

  • Behavior that creates a disruptive or hostile environment
  • Concerning behavior exhibited in class, in the residence halls, during advising, programming, etc.
  • Significant changes in appearance, mood, or social functioning
  • Communication of suicidal ideation or distress
  • Signs of deteriorating health, mental health, academic functioning, or basic needs (food and housing) insecurities

Behaviors that pose an imminent threat of harm to self or others must immediately be reported to Neumann University Public Safety at 610-558-5555. The Public Safety dispatcher will send help and contact the appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency. Public Safety is available seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day.

The Campus Assessment and Response Education (CARE) Team does not manage emergencies. If you are unsure if a situation is an emergency air on the side of caution and contact Public Safety or 911.

Who is the NU CARE Team?

Our team consists of Neumann University community members who meet weekly to review reports of students that demonstrate concerning behaviors, collect additional information on those students, and determine an appropriate response and intervention plan. Members of the team include administrators from Student Life, Student Success, Athletics, and Public Safety.

  • Dr. Ann Mitchell, Assistant Dean for Student Transitions, Access, and Leadership Development (Chair)
  • Dr. Katie Callahan. Dean for Student Success & Retention
  • Ms. Bonnie Yake, Associate Dean for Counseling Services
  • Ms. Gianna Machado, Director of Residence Life
  • Mr. Lee Strofe, Director of Campus Safety
  • Dr. Jennifer Labowitz, Director of Accessibility Services
  • Mr. Justin Gallashaw, Director of Community Standards
  • Mrs. Gina McLaughlin, Deputy Director of Athletics
  • Ms. Mallory Kravitz, Title IX Coordinator

 

 

Resources


 

 

How do I submit a referral to CARE team?

If this is an emergency, please call Campus Safety immediately at 610-558-5555.

While we recognize that each situation is unique, we encourage reporters to engage with the student of concern before completing the CARE referral form. By having conversations with students beforehand, reporters can gather more information about the situation, enabling the CARE team to provide better assistance. In many instances, reporters who directly spoke with the student of concern could offer resources promptly, avoiding delays in support.

After speaking with the student of concern, community members are encouraged to report the matter using the Student of Concern Form on the Incident Reporting page. The information in this form will be treated with utmost privacy and only shared with relevant parties. While anonymous reports are accepted, providing identifying details allows us to offer more comprehensive support to the student. Neumann University remains committed to fostering a campus environment where safety, health, and well-being are paramount.

What type of behaviors should be reported to the CARE team?

When community members encounter concerning behaviors, they should consider referring to the CARE team. While some behaviors may overlap with multiple departments and teams, the CARE tean typically assists with the following examples:

  • Exhibits “bizarre” behavior
  • Talks about suicide or homicide
  • Shows inappropriate anger or hostility
  • Appears overly emotional, depressed, aggressive, or suspicious
  • Comes to class under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Is the subject of complaints by other students
  • Appears to have distorted body image or disordered eating
  • Experiences difficulty due to illness or death in the family
Connecting with the CARE team ensures a coordinated and compassionate response to these situations, promoting safety, well-being, and academic success within our community.

What happens when I submit a CARE referral?

A CARE team member will review and determine the next steps once a CARE referral is received through the Student of Concern reporting form. If the reporter includes their information on the form, a CARE team member will reach out to acknowledge receipt of the information or to follow-up for additional information.

Please note that review of the information is only conducted during business hours when the university is open. If the situation is an emergency, please call Campus Safety immediately at 610-558-5555.