CARES/BIT Team Referrals & Process

The purpose of the CARES/BIT Team Process is to receive and evaluate referrals from anyone in the campus community, or any other concerned party, regarding students of concern and/or students who might present a threat or danger of harm to self or others.  Note that while referrals to the CARES/BIT team may be made for concerning situations, they should only be made for non-emergency situations, as these reports are not monitored on a 24/7 basis.

For any situation that needs an immediate response, or a situation that involves a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first and then call Campus Security at (509) 475-7040.

Here is the general process of the CARES/BIT Team:

1. The team meets regularly throughout the year to evaluate referrals and ongoing cases.
2. Anyone from the campus community, including faculty, staff, students, administrators, or a concerned third-party such as a family member or friend, may submit a referral. The best way for employees to submit a referral is to use the “Student Conduct, Care & Behavior Report” form available on the employee portal landing page.
3. The CARES/BIT Team will evaluate the report and make a determination about the most appropriate response given the unique circumstances of the case. Potential responses could include, but are not limited to:
   • Seek more information from the reporter or other source(s);
   • Reach out to the student for a meeting or conversation;
   • Discuss possible referral resources (e.g. mental health, counseling, health, or disability resources);
   • Identify other campus or community resources that might be helpful;
   • File the report for future reference.
4. To the degree possible, given privacy and confidentiality considerations, the team will provide the reporter with an update.

For questions about the CARES/BIT Team process and referrals, please contact the Dean of Student Support Services in Building 17 at 509-533-3682.

Standards of Conduct for Student/Student Conduct Process

The Standards of Conduct for Students for the Community Colleges of Spokane – including Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) and Spokane Community College (SCC) – and procedures for our student conduct processes are outlined in Chapter 132Q-10 of the Washington Administrative Codes (WACs), available online at the following link:  Chapter 132Q-10 WAC:

Faculty and staff are encouraged to review and become familiar with our Standards of Conduct and the associated procedures.

The Dean of Student Support Services serves as the Student Conduct Officer for SFCC. The general process for handling student conduct complaints and referrals includes the following:

1. Anyone from the campus community, including faculty, staff, students, and administrators, may submit a referral about concerning student conduct. The best way for employees to submit a referral is to use the “Student Conduct, Care & Behavior Report” form available on the employee portal landing page.
2. Upon receipt, the Dean of Student Support Services will conduct an initial review of the complaint and may take one of several actions, as guided by the WACs and including but not limited to:
   • Seek more information from the reporter or other source(s);
   • Identify other campus or community resources that might be helpful;
   • Determine whether the matter will be pursued as a formal student conduct case; if yes, follow the procedures and provisions as outlined in the WACs, which include appropriate notice to the student of the complaint, specified disciplinary proceedings, rights and responsibilities of students in the process, disciplinary sanctions, student conduct board and administrative panel proceedings (if applicable to the case), and rights to appeal;
   • File the report for future reference.
3. The Student Conduct Officer also has the authority to implement other actions as appropriate to the case, including interim suspension and other restrictions.
4. To the degree possible, given privacy and confidentiality considerations, the Dean or designee will provide the reporter with an update.

For questions about the Standards of Conduct for Students, and student conduct referrals and procedures, please contact the Dean of Student Support Services in Building 17 at 509-533-3682.