Behavioral Intervention Team
When in Doubt — Report!
The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)
We are a multidisciplinary team trained in to identify, assess, and respond to individuals of concern. Our goal is to provide resources and support in order to help individuals to be successful in the university community and to keep the campus safe. The team's purpose is to provide intervention to individuals displaying at risk behaviors or experiencing difficult or concerning life circumstances.
Anything that causes you to worry about another person including but NOT limited to:
- Difficulty managing stressors
- Grief and Loss
- Unhealthy eating habits/concern for eating disorders
- Uncharacteristic changes in mood or behavior
- Risk or actual homelessness
- Food/basic needs insecurity
- Academic concerns
- Aggression
- Hostility
- Violence
- Depression
- Developmental Issue
- Suicidal ideation or attempt
- Hospitalization for mental health crisis
- Marked changes in personal appearance and hygiene
- Disengaged from their college experience or withdraw from social groups
- Stalking/Harassment
- Threats- Direct or Veiled
- Disruptive behavior
- Concerning social media posts
- Excessive demands of time and resources
- Substance misuse
- Sexual Assault/Inappropriate sexual behaviors
- Possession or suspected possession of weapons
C- counseling, connection, collaboration, crisis response
A- advocacy, assess needs, advising, assistance (support)
R- resources, retention focused, referrals, reporting, response, risk assessment, respect
E- education, evaluation, empowerment, equality
- Be aware of your surroundings and know the emergency exit routes.
- Stay calm when dealing with potentially dangerous or angry individuals.
- Don't raise your voice or get aggravated.
- Don't meet with angry or hostile individuals alone and don't close the door.
- Help the individuals to the best of your abilities; if you can't help them, contact someone who can.
- Don't talk at the students; talk to them and genuinely try to help them.
- Call Campus Police if there is possession or suspected possession of weapons or drug/alcohol use.
- Contact your supervisor/Campus Police when dealing with angry/hostile, bizarre, or concerning behaviors or threats.
- Utilize your resources; we will be happy to meet with you and a student if you would like a third party present.
- I will always put safety first
- I will practice safe behaviors in everything I do
- I will know and follow safety policies and procedures and be mindful of potentially dangerous situations
- I will identify, correct, and/or immediately report safety concerns
- I will provide appropriate resources for students, faculty, and staff to promote safety and awareness
FAQ’s:
Reports submitted through the report a concern link are routed to the appropriate office to be addressed. Staff review the information provided to determine next appropriate steps.
Not typically. The goal is to provide support and resources, however the conduct process is utilized when appropriate.
Anyone. We encourage members of the university community to be responsible members of the community and report issues that concern them or others.
All reports can be made through the report a concern page through the button above. Emergencies should be reported to University Police or 911.
You may report a concern about anyone.
No.
Yes. However, please provide as much detail as possible.
Meet the Members of BIT
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Dr. Sheila SelfStudent Affairs Assistant Vice President/Dean of StudentsDr. Self is a founding member and co-chair of NSU's Behavioral Intervention Team, which has been in place for over ten years. As the Dean of Students she oversees the areas of Student Conduct, Counseling Services, Disability Services, contracted health services, and several grants including TRiO grants and an opioid/stimulant grant from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2003, an LPC supervisor since 2005, and was formerly the Director of Counseling Services at NSU. She has an earned doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Higher Education Administration and completed her dissertation, Behavioral Intervention Teams: An Exploration of Team Member Perceptions at Oklahoma Regional Universities, focusing on this work. -
James Bell, M.S.Director of Public SafetyChief James Bell is a founding member of the Behavioral Intervention Team and has been active in violence prevention throughout his career. Within the police department he has made it a priority of the University Police to improve the prevention and response to domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2016 he was awarded the Oklahoma Excellence in Action Against Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Chief Bell received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Northeastern State University. Chief Bell is an instructor in several in-service police courses and is an adjunct instructor in the University’s Criminal Justice Department. He serves on the Cherokee County Child Abuse Task Force and the County Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence Team. Chief Bell was named a NSU Centurion in 2024. -
Joshua Rader, M.S.Director of Student Conduct and DevelopmentMr. Rader represents the Student Conduct and Development office where he works alongside many campus departments to resolve a variety of student issues. He has been a part of the BIT since joining NSU in 2011. Prior to working at NSU, he worked in Residence Life at a Division I and Division III school in Indiana. As a BIT member, he has received training in threat assessment, trauma informed response, victim advocacy, and other behavioral issues and responses. He holds a Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University and has worked in higher education for two decades. -
Charlotte Merrill, M.S., LPCDirector of Counseling ServicesCharlotte Merrill is the Director of Student Counseling Services and a former on-campus Crisis Counselor. She earned her BS in Art from Fort Lewis College and her MS in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Charlotte is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and Colorado. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in strengths-based and solution-focused modalities, with the integration of art therapy to support creative expression and healing. -
Darrin Priest, M.S.Assistant Director of Residence life LifeMr. Priest represents the Housing and Residence Life office and has been a member of the team since 2023. His role is to assist with issues related to residential students and/or to provide resources to students who may experience a concern related to their housing experience. He has completed additional training through the Association of College and University Housing Offices - International in student mental health concerns focusing on developmental issues and common pressures students may face during their college experience. Darrin has a Bachelors and Masters degree from Northeastern State University. -
Chloe Kellner, B.S.Student Success CoordinatorMs. Kellner is the Student Success Coordinator at NSU. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology in 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Natural Science. Prior to her current position, Ms. Kellner worked in the Office of International Programs at NSU for more than four years. In her current role she supports students by providing guidance on course selection, academic planning, goal setting, and navigating academic forgiveness policies, academic probation, and academic suspension. Ms. Kellner also facilitates communication with faculty through the Academic Early Alert system, ensuring students have the necessary resources to thrive academically through their college journey. Ms. Kellner has a passion for student success and is committed to fostering an environment where all students can access the support and tools they need to excel in their academic pursuits. -
Chelsea Hill, B.S.Student Advocate/Case ManagerMs. Hill is the Student Advocate and Case Manager for NSU. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and is an NSU Alumni. Ms. Hill is in her fourth year as an NSU employee and is a certified Victim Advocate with the state of Oklahoma. Her interests include teaching Trauma-Informed Yoga, Advocacy and spreading awareness for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Mental Health.