Submit Red Flag Concerns at KSU

Kennesaw State University seeks to foster a proactive climate of care that can only be achieved through cooperative input from the entire community. To that end, KSU has created a Behavioral Response Team (BRT) that takes a planned approach to identifying and assisting individuals who are distressed and/or exhibiting abnormal, threatening, or dangerous behavior. Through early identification, the team can connect individuals of concern with the resources they need to succeed and hopefully prevent crises. The BRT is a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to assess and manage concerns that have been brought to the attention of the team.

Below is the online “Red Flag” link that anyone can use to share information about a person of concern with the BRT. The more information that is provided the better chance the BRT will have to successfully assist that individual. Specifically, please try and describe in detail observed behaviors and statements that generated the concern. Such behaviors are often referred to as “red flags” because they may indicate a larger or growing issue with which that person may be struggling.

NOTE: If this is an emergency and there is an immediate threat call the KSU Police at 470-578-6666. Submissions through the referral form are not constantly monitored; therefore, the referral form is never to be used for emergency response.

How to Submit

Everyone is highly encouraged to refer any and all concerns you have about others (both students and non-students) to the BRT, and anyone can submit a referral (students, employees, parents, alumni, community members). The preferred method for non-emergency referral is the Red Flag/BRT online referral site. This is a secure method of referring. It has the added benefit of asking for specific information that is helpful for the BRT when following up on your concerns.

When in doubt, submit a REFERRAL! Many roles at the university legally require referring of concerns to university officials and submitting a BRT referral satisfies that requirement. It is always better to be cautious and help someone in need than fail to act and risk crisis.

RED FLAG REFERRAL

For extreme distress, and concerns for immediate safety, contact KSU Public Safety immediately at 470-578-6666.

Consultation

Faculty and staff are in constant contact with students; therefore, they are the most likely persons to encounter students who are distressed. Common concerns can be classified as mild (decreased attendance, difficulty interacting with others), moderate (unusual or demanding emails, emotional reactions that seem intense for the circumstances) or extreme (threats of harming self or others).

  • For mild to moderate concerns, attempt to talk with the student, preferably away from other students, and do not promise confidentiality. Express your concerns directly, be clear about classroom expectations, and ensure that the student is aware of campus resources. If warranted, encourage the student to make an appointment with the Counseling Center, Health Center, Women’s Resource and Interpersonal Violence Center, Veterans Resource Center, and/or other supportive offices on campus. Behavior that disrupts the learning and/or living environment is a violation of the KSU Code of Conduct and a referral should be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. For extreme distress and / or concerns for safety, KSU Public Safety should be contacted immediately at 470-578-6666.
  • Consultation is available if you have questions about how to address concerning behaviors. To request a consultation, please submit an email to brt@kennesaw.edu containing information about your concern and how to contact you. Again, for extreme distress and/or concerns for safety, KSU Public Safety should be contacted immediately at 470-578-6666.

Additional Information

For further information about how to identify and respond to students in distress, please view our Resources page.

Outreach

KSU strives to promote a culture of safety, support and care. The Behavioral Response Team (BRT) through the various offices of its members offers outreach to the KSU community in a variety of ways. The Team can provide education and training in the following areas:

  • The Role and Services of the BRT
  • Identifying and Working with Students in Distress
  • Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation
  • Response and Support for Those Impacted by Crisis

 For additional information, please submit a detailed email to brt@kennesaw.edu.

The Team

The Behavior Response Team (BRT) is a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to assess and manage concerns that have been brought to the attention of the team. The BRT process does not replace faculty classroom management, conduct processes, workplace safety protocols, and/or public safety responses to incidents. It provides an additional and coordinated resource to refer individuals exhibiting distress or concerning behaviors.

Notifying the team of individuals of concern (students, faculty, staff, or anyone who’s behavior might impact the well-being of the campus) in a timely manner is a simple yet important step that everyone can take to proactively help the BRT to provide assistance to individuals who might be in need.

Consulting BRT Members represent:

  • Human Resources
  • Legal Affairs

BRT Members represent the following Offices/Positions:

  • Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
  • Office of Student Advocacy
  • Director of Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Provost's Office
  • Public Safety
  • Residence Life
  • Student Conduct & Academic Integrity (SCAI)
  • Office of Institutional Equity 

The BRT reports to the Office of the Dean of Students. For more information about the BRT and/or its members, contact brt@kennesaw.edu.

For additional information please contact:

Behavioral Response Team
(470) 578-6367

Resources

General Resources

Guidebook for Faculty and Staff

For in-depth information about recognizing and responding to students in distress, please review the guidebook.

BRT Guide

To help faculty and staff assess what options to consider when confronted with a person in distress, please review this BRT Guide. When in doubt, always refer everything to the BRT Mental Health Resources

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The BRT is a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to assess and support individual needs and the shared needs of the campus community by initiating appropriate intervention based on the circumstances provided. 

    BRT Members represent the following Offices/Positions:

    • Office of the Dean of Students 
    • Counseling and Psychological Services 
    • KSU Police  
    • Residence Life 
    • Student Conduct & Academic Integrity (SCAI) 
    • Legal Affairs 

    Consulting BRT Members represent: 

    • Office of Institutional Equity  
    • Student Disability Services 
    • Student Health Services 
    • Advising 
    • Academic Affairs
  • For mild to moderate concerns, attempt to talk with the student, preferably away from other students, and do not promise confidentiality. Express your concerns directly, be clear about classroom expectations, and ensure that the student is aware of campus resources. If warranted, encourage the student to make an appointment with the Counseling Center, Health Center, Women’s Resource and Interpersonal Violence Center, Veterans Resource Center, and/or other supportive offices on campus. Behavior that disrupts the learning and/or living environment is a violation of the KSU Code of Conduct and a referral should be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. For extreme distress and / or concerns for safety, KSU Public Safety should be contacted immediately at 470-578-6666. 

  • When in doubt, REFER! Many roles at the university legally require referring concerns to university officials, and submitting a BRT referral satisfies that requirement. It is always better to be cautious and help someone in need than fail to act and risk a crisis. 
     
    Consultation is available if you have questions about how to address concerning behaviors. To request a consultation, please submit an email to brt@kennesaw.edu containing information about your concern and how to contact you. Again, for extreme distress and/or concerns for safety, KSU Public Safety should be contacted immediately at 470-578-6666. 

    • Thoughts/statements about suicide or other self-injurious behaviors
    • Behaviors that are threatening or have the potential to harm others
    • Behaviors that appear abnormal and/or disruptive for that particular environment
    • Writings, emails, online posts, texts, etc. that communicate dangerous intentions to self or others
    • Noticeable and dramatic changes in routine behaviors, patterns, and/or appearance (such as suddenly missing classes, significant grade decline, declining personal hygiene)
    • Attending class or other activities under the influence of drugs or alcohol
    • Paranoia and blaming others for personal problems
    • Extreme lack of emotional response, unusually distant or despondent
    • Excessive emotional displays given the circumstances
    • Excessively disruptive in class or other activities 
  • The BRT collects and assesses information in response to a concern that may be harmful to the individual or campus community. Through the multifaceted team, any necessary actions can be taken in response to all types of incidents.  
  • After submitting a referral, a member of the BRT will follow up with you to address any additional questions or concerns as needed. The BRT will review the case and determine the most appropriate response on a case-by-case basis given the totality of information available to the BRT at the time. Responses can vary from supportive outreach to the individual to make the person aware of resources or making a referral to an appropriate university office for further action. Any action taken by the BRT is done collaboratively and under the auspices of the appropriate office or professionals with the underlying intention of creating a culture of safety, support, and care. 
  • All records pertaining to The BRT are kept electronically through a secured system and shall be subject to all state and federal laws applicable including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Georgia Open Records laws.  All records deemed confidential (e.g. protected health/mental health information) shall be treated as such and shall not lose such protection by virtue of being addressed within BRT meetings.
  • When contacting The BRT about an individual whom you believe has the potential to harm themselves or others, please provide as much information as possible.  The more information we have, the better we can assess and determine the best course of action for the individual and/or the campus community. This can include date/time/location details, all electronic communications that may have occurred with the individual, etc.

  • The BRT encourages those who have an existing connection with a student of concern share KSU campus resources in the moment an interaction or communication with the student occurs. Some of the resources that can be provided to students of concern include:

    • WellBeing@KSU is an initiative specifically designed to increase mental and emotional support to KSU students. This link will direct you to the KSU Counseling and Psychological Services website, which contains information for the expanded reach of university services, including 24/7 mental health support.     
    • National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides statewide services for students and others who are seeking support external to KSU.   
    • Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides a national network of resources and support for persons contemplating self-harm.  
    • Academic Advising Resources are provided by each major and through Academic Affairs to help students to navigate concerns regarding your course load.    
    • The Registrar provides information on course registration, add-drop, and other administrative functions pertaining to your enrollment.     
    • Student Disability Services privately works with registered students with documented needs for additional support and their faculty to arrange learning accommodations.    
    • KSU CARE Services provides food, temporary housing, and other supportive services to students in need.   
    • Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery works with all students to provide education and support with recovery and wellness in a collegiate community. The Center connects students with the community and provides the tools and resources to build a solid foundation.  
    • Student Health Services Kennesaw State University's Student Health Services' staff of board-certified physicians and advanced practice providers deliver comprehensive primary care services and COVID-19 testing year-round between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.  
    • Office of Institutional Equity/ Title IX – responsible for ensuring the KSU campus community complies with all applicable laws and policies regarding Title IX and discrimination  
    • Office of Victim Services – in collaboration with KSU Public Safety, they ensure that individual members of the KSU community who are victims of crimes are provided with the necessary rights and services through the justice system and receive education and trauma support.
  • Mental Health Training