Kansas State University Manhattan Campus Development and Implementation of C I R T Critical Incident Response Team Heather Reed Karen Low Office of Student Life
CIRT-What are its origins?
Changes in Campus Culture Violence Disruption Liability and Culture of Care
History of CIRT at K-State Grassroots, campus-wide effort Crisis Management Committee Piloted winter and spring 2009 Approved May 2009 KBOR response
CIRT-What is it?
Philosophy Supportive Non-adversarial Collaborative Multidisciplinary Developmental Solution focused
Purpose Assess and coordinate response to significant campus situations that require intervention Assist restoration to normal functioning Suggest future preventative measures
Types of Events Serious student situations and campus threats or emergencies that directly affect the well-being of students and the campus community
When is a Situation a CIRT? Seriously disruptive behavior Disruptive to the maintenance of the academic environment Destructive to university property Constitutes a threat to the well being of the student or others
Workplace Violence Policy for K-State Faculty and Staff Student situation on campus Campus Environmental Safety & Emergency Management Division of Human Resources Threat Management Committee Dean of Students, OSL, or KSU Police notified of a student crisis and alerts the CIRT Chair Emergency Management Committee(s) If student employee, CIRT chair part of the Threat Management Committee Seriously disruptive CIRT chair gathers incident info Not seriously disruptive CIRT chairperson is contacted to help address the human services issues and effect of the emergency or disaster Assembles a CIRT meeting Refers to Office of Student Life for disposition
Characteristics of a CIRT Crisis Uncertainty Urgency Swift action required Interruption of operations Threat to safety and well-being
CIRT Goals Coordinate the university s response to crises involving students Attend to the safety and security needs of members of the university community Offer education, guidance, and support to the university community Use crises as teachable moments
CIRT Members Director of Student Life (CIRT Chair) Pertinent Dean s Office Counseling Services Campus Police University Attorney Situation-Specific Response Personnel (SSRP)
Response Team Members Skilled specialists in their fields with a united purpose and a shared knowledge and competency base
CIRT Member Characteristics Strong communication skills Availability Knowledge of K-State policies and resources Commitment to student safety and success Team player attitude Trust Calm presence Incident experience
Confidentiality Knowledge Base FERPA HIPAA State and federal law Professional licensure law Professional ethics Involving parents Campus resources
University Policies Code of conduct Involuntary withdrawal Workplace violence Sexual violence University Handbook Policy and Procedure Manual Student catalogs
Response Team Units Roles and Responsibilities
Office of Student Life OSL Director is CIRT Chair and directs response Assesses situation Convenes CIRT Delegates tasks Notifies Dean of Students, who notifies central administration
OSL also Office of Student Life Helps coordinate the response Facilitates communication within CIRT and to necessary campus constituents Provides follow up Maintains documentation
Pertinent Dean s Office Responds to student issues within the college programs Provides information Supports faculty and departments Coordinates academic response
University Counseling Services Consults on potential mental health issues Coordinates mental health services for students when appropriate individual and group therapy trauma-debriefing for students Provides information and referrals CS CIRT member will not be the treating therapist of the involved student
K-State University Police Department Advises on law enforcement and campus safety issues Coordinates response to allegations of law violations on campus Provides safety planning Gathers background information
Office of University Attorney Provides legal guidance and advice Institutional legal matters Information on points of law Rights and responsibilities of all involved
Situation-Specific Personnel Athletics Alcohol and Other Drug Services Disabilities Support Services Greek Affairs Housing and Dining Human Resources Information Technology Services International Programs K-State Women s Center Lafene Health Center Media Relations Religious Activities Student Activities and Services Student s Advisor
How does it work?
Step 1 Information received of student crisis Dean of Students Office of Student Life Kansas State Police Department
Step 2 CIRT Chair notified, initiates action Gathers information Assesses situation Contacts the CIRT if incident warrants Selects and contacts situation-specific response personnel Notifies Dean of Students, who notifies central administration
Step 3 CIRT members meet Evaluate the incident Share and gather additional information Plan a response Implement plan
Communication Coordination Step 4 Family support
FERPA Facts FERPA allows for communication with parents when health or safety of their student is threatened 99.36 (a): An educational agency or institution may disclose personally identifiable information from an education record to appropriate parties, including parents of an eligible student, in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
We involve parents when... Responsibility for ethical care of student health and well-being requires it The parent might have information necessary to incident management A critical situation could be averted by involving them
Step 5 Post-event procedures Debriefing Assessment CIRT protocol revision Policy review
Implementation
Brainstorming Session How can we distinguish who needs to know what and how can we communicate that to them? How does each layer need to understand and use the CIRT? How best to communicate that information?
Three-Tiered Approach Tier 1: Who will be doing CIRT? Tier 2: Who needs to know how CIRT works so they can talk about it and use it? Tier 3: Who needs to be aware of CIRT?
Tier One Who will be doing CIRT? CIRT members Methods In-service training CIRT EAR
Tier Two Who needs to know how CIRT works so they can talk about it and use it? Deans and Academic Student Life offices Academic Department Heads Student Life offices Faculty and Advisors Methods Short presentations at their meetings Tier 3 materials
Tier Three Who needs to be aware of CIRT? Campus community: students, parents, alumni Methods University publications Student newspaper Brochure OSL website and links
Lessons Learned Get buy-in from the beginning Need for support staff Explore multiple ways to communicate Importance of documentation Involve university attorneys from the beginning Know your policies and the law Value diverse viewpoints
Questions?
Thank you!
Kansas State University Manhattan Campus Development and Implementation of C I R T Critical Incident Response Team Heather Reed Karen Low Office of Student Life