Fiscal Year 2021
Point of Contact: Bruce Vandevender bvandeve@nmsu.edu
Authorizing Body or Offical: BOR Policy
Type of Board: Standing
Scope of Impact: System
Purpose:
1. To heighten awareness and mutual concern for the welfare of all within the New Mexico
State University
(NMSU) system, which includes all campuses and work sites, and to encourage the reporting of
observed
behaviors of concern occurring in the classroom, on campus, in NMSU Housing, in the workplace, or at
any other university location or sponsored event.
2. To facilitate communication and coordination among university officials charged with maintaining a
safe
and secure environment for university students, employees, and others, specifically with a focus on the
avoidance of critical incidents caused by individual or group misconduct, through early detection and
reporting, risk assessment and responsive action.
3. To formally recognize and authorize the Conduct Assessment Response and Education (CARE)
Committee and its subcommittee, the Behavioral Intervention Team, and to clarify their respective roles
and responsibilities relative to the process by which the behavior of concern will be assessed for risk and
determination of appropriate precautionary and/or follow up action.
Authority:
The committee has the authority to assess the level
of risk of a given situations and develop a plan of action. From the team each member holds
responsibility to their given department and division.
Chair:
Continuing positions are held by individuals within the
Dean of Students Office.
There are two primary contacts for CARE:
a. Will Waller, Senior Associate Dean of Students; Dept. of Student Life - wwaller@nmsu.edu
b. Bruce Vandevender, Director of Student
Members:
Aisha Gutierrez - Office of Institutional Equity
Amadeo Ledesma - VP Student Services Dona Ana
Ann Coombes Goodman - Dean of Students
Annamarie Delovato - Office of Institutional Equity
Anne Ricksecker - VP Student Services Alamogordo
Aaron Salas - Disability Access Services
Ashlerose Francia - Office of Institutional Equity
Brandon Montoya - Employee Relations
Bruce Vandevender - Student Assistance Services
Donna Ottaviano - Employee Relations
Jeff Harris - Counseling Center
Jesse Haas - Student Accessibility Office Dona Ana
Johnny Carrillo - NMSU Fire
Juanita Garcia - VP Student Services Carlsbad
Judi Voelz - Aggie Health and Wellness Center
Laura Castille - Office of Institutional Equity
Lisa Warren - General Counsel
Louis Huber - NMSU Fire
Mariah Ortiz - General Counsel
Maura Gonsior - Employee Relations
Michelle Bernstein - Housing and Residential Life
Monica de Herrera-Pardo - Student Accessibility Office Dona Ana
Nelson McGuire - NMSU Fire
Nicki Halopka - Dean of Students Office
Ophelia Watkins - Housing and Residential Life
Patrick Clingman - VP Student Services Grants
Rebecca Robles - Student Accessibility Services Dona Ana
Rosa Sandoval - Housing and Residential Life
Will Waller - Dean of Students Office
How are the chair and members appointed? Other: CARE members are assigned by the respective departments represented on the committee
What university function/office is responsible for future appointments? Dean of Students, Department of Student Life
What university office/function provides administrative support to this board or committee? Dean of Students, Department of Student Life
Are there any requirements for the number of meetings to be held? Yes
In the past fiscal year, what accomplishments have been made (if applicable)?
*CARE team assessed approximately 160 individual cases for the FY20/21. On
campus incidents were down in numbers from previous years due to the COVID-19 campus restrictions.
*Action plans were developed for anyone assigned a risk level of 3 or higher (Risk levels range 1 - 5; with
1 being the most severe/concerning)
*A majority of the cases reported identified mental health/stress as a factor related to COVID-19
campus restrictions.
*Top 3 reporting months: February 2021 (31 cases); March 2021 (26 cases); September 2020 (21 cases)