Concern Assessment and Response Education (CARE)

Fiscal Year 2022 

Your Name (Point of Contact):

Bruce Vandevender

Email (Point of Contact):

bvandeve@nmsu.edu

Official Board Name:

Conduct Assessment Response and Education (CARE)

New Official Board Name (if applicable):

Concern Assessment Response and Education (CARE)

Authorizing body or official:

BOR Policy

Type of Board:

Standing

Scope of Impact:

System

Board 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 Concern Assessment Response and Education (CARE) Committee and its subcommittee, the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), 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.

Board Authority:

The committee has the authority to assess the level of risk of a given situation and develop a plan of action. from the team each member holds responsibility to their given department and divison.

Current Chair / Term Ends:

Continuing positions are held by individuals within the Dean of Students Office/Department of Student Life. There are two primary contacts for CARE: 1: Bruce Vandevender, Director - Student Assistance Services 2: Will Waller, Senior Associate Dean of Students

Describe the process for selecting the chair :

The role of Chair is permanently assigned to the employment positions of Director - Student Assistance Services and Senior Associate Dean of Students

Incoming Chair / Term Begins (if applicable) :

Continuing positions are held by individuals within the Dean of Students Office/Department of Student Life. There are two primary contacts for CARE: 1: Bruce Vandevender, Director - Student Assistance Services 2: Will Waller, Senior Associate Dean of Students

How are the chair and members appointed?:

Other: CARE members are assigned by the respective departments represented on the committee

Are members subject to a term appointment (three years or less)?:

No

What university function/office is responsible for future appointments?:

Dean of Students, Department of Student Lfe

What university office/function provides administrative support to this board or committee?:

Dean of Students, Department of Student Life

How often will this board or committee meet?:

Meetings are held each week during the academic semesters and as needed during the summer term

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):

*92 students with a CARE case during the 2021-2022 academic year awarded a degree in May 2022

*6 of 28 students that were assigned a Level 2 (high risk) or Level 1 (extreme risk) are returning for the Fall 2022 semester with active cases

*13 members of the CARE TEAM have completed the Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) Suicide Prevention Certified Gatekeeper Training

*CARE TEAM members participated in a web-based conference for BIT/BAIT Teams as a Risk Management Tool

*CARE TEAM members participated in a web-based conference for Academic Freedom presented by Peter Lake - professor of law and director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University