ART established on-campus

The Assessment Response Team opens doors to students in need

By: Maelyn Mocniak

Posted: 1/29/09

Assessment Response Team (ART) is a new and beneficial addition to Tarleton State University. Based off of the shootings at Virginia Tech, the team plans to help with the safety and mental health of students.

In this case, ART is considered a "task force" to help guide the university with the new ways of dealing with risk regarding students. The team is opening their arms so that any student in need has a place to turn to.

"The idea came from after Virginia Tech," Tarleton Graduate Assistant for Student Life Margie Holder said. "The main goal is to prevent problems before they happen…to get the kids help before the situation worsens."

ART is a new development of procedures that is being used at other universities such as, Texas A&M University, University of South Carolina, Virginia Tech University, University of Texas at Arlington and Regent University. Some of these universities use the name, Behavior Intervention Team or BIT. Many universities, along with Tarleton, have set out to find a way to help out with reshaping safety in our community.

"We want to help our community…by communication and collaboration," Holder said.

The team consists of Chair Rusty Jergins who is the Assistant Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Director of Risk Management Safety Kent Styron, Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Career Development Dr. Gilbert Hinga, Director of Human Resources Angie Brown, Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts and Faculty Representative Dean Minix, Manager of Telecommunications Jamie Trusner, Assistant Vice President of Physical Facilities Joe Standridge, Chief of Police Justin Williams, Director of Public Information Nancy Pricer and Director of Student Success Brenda Faulkner. This information, along with their telephone numbers can be found on the ART website, www.tarleton.edu/ARTeam.

"We tried to get somebody from all over campus," Holder said. "Dr. Hinga is highly involved."

ART plans to stop violence within the campus before it occurs. Holder said that whenever the team meets, they will make evaluations on reports, once a report is made, they will continue to keep their eyes out so that they do not look over any possible risks. The team will be responsible for assessing the whole situation of new reports or continual reports. Certain evaluations will consist of deciphering between whether or not the person is deemed as harmful to themselves or others, whether or not they need help and who would be the best person to set out to help them.

Although the team has researched and laid out the basics of their mission, they are still working on the specifics.

"We're ironing out the details," Holder said.

Students are able to send reports online, even anonymously. Holder did stress that if anyone reporting thinks that it is an emergency to call 911 before contacting ART.

According to the team's website, possible behaviors to look out for are those such as self-injurious, those abusing drugs and/or alcohol, suicidal attempts and self abuse actions. Signs also listed are those who are disruptive to the university or community like aggression, stalking, bullying, property destruction or sexual harassment. Another characteristic to look for is unusual or concerning behavior, depression, irritability or hopelessness.

If any student witnesses these signs in their peers, the team asks that they report to them about it. They can go online to the ART website and click on "File a Report." This process lets the members of the team know what to look for or what problems they need to deal with.

"Everyone is going to be eyes and ears on the campus," Holder said.

Students will be able to look out for each other and have the Assessment Response Team to oversee.

"I guess you could call it [ART] a hub… a home base type of thing," Holder said.