Students of Concern Team

The Students of Concern Team seeks to proactively identify, assess, and offer a coordinated institutional response to situations with the potential to negatively impact the health, safety, and success of the University at Buffalo community members.

On this page:

Coordinated Response

The Students of Concern Team is the established behavioral intervention and care team of the University at Buffalo, a central body to assist in addressing situations in which students are displaying behaviors that are concerning, disruptive, or threatening in nature and that potentially impede their own or others’ ability to function successfully or safely. The team meets regularly to discuss referral cases and coordinate individualized responses to support students who are identified as struggling. Team members assess referred students for their potential risk to the campus and community, make decisions based on the best interests of both the student and the University, and then put individuals in touch with appropriate support services.

A behavioral intervention team (BIT) is a small cross-campus team of school officials that meets regularly to review concerning information about at-risk student community members and develop intervention plans to assist them. A BIT collaborates, collects information, identifies risks, and intervenes when appropriate to protect people from harming themselves or others. Behavioral intervention teams use a proactive approach that balances the needs of the student who may be in crisis and the overall safety of the campus community.

National Behavioral intervention Team Association (NABITA)

How to Refer a Student

It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to immediately refer any situation that could possibly result in harm to anyone at the University. While any member of the campus community may become aware of a person or concern or situation causing anxiety, stress, or fear, it must be noted that a referral to the Students of Concern Team not be confused with crisis management. 

Emergency Referrals

  • Call University Police at 716-645-2222 or pick up any blue light emergency phone
  • Crisis Services of Erie County is an off-campus resource that is also available 24/7; you can call them at 716-834-3131

A situation may be an emergency if:

  • You are concerned for your safety or for the safety of others
  • You believe a student is considering suicide and requires immediate intervention

Non-Emergency Referrals

Submit a Student of Concern referral to a team managed by the Dean of Students Office online.

Membership

The Students of Concern Team is chaired by the Dean of Students Office and is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of administrators from Student Life and other units at UB.

Dean of Students Office

  • Colleen Connolly, MS Counseling, Director for Student Support and Resources
  • Benjamin Fabian, MS College Student Personnel Administration, Associate Director for Student Support and Resources
  • Katie DeStefano, MEd School Counseling, Student Support Coordinator
  • Elise Lang, MSW, Student Support Coordinator

Campus Living

  • Chris Bragdon, MA College Student Personnel, Associate Director for Residential Life

Counseling Services

  • Kathryn Benfanti, LMHC, Clinical Case Manager and Counselor

Student Conduct

  • Elizabeth Lidano, MSEd College Student Development, Director of Student Conduct

Student Health Services

  • Mary Stock, MD, Senior Physician

University Police

  • Carl Lundin, Deputy Chief of Police

Need additional assistance?

Campus-wide student support

University at Buffalo
315 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: (716) 645-2982; Fax: (716) 645-2260

On-campus emergencies and crime prevention, 24/7

Bissell Hall, North Campus

Phone: (716) 645-2227; Emergencies: (716) 645-2222