Assessment & Care Team
Assessment & Care Team (ACT)
Middle Georgia State University has in place appropriate crisis and emergency response procedures. However, in an era of increasing concern regarding the prevention of campus violence, the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia has directed that each institution develop a plan and select a committee to address potential behavioral concerns. In response, the University has established an Assessment & Care Team (ACT). The Team will serve as an additional measure for campus safety by actively addressing behavioral concerns that have the potential to negatively impact the safety and/or wellbeing of the campus environment. The Team is a complement to, not a replacement for, the University's existing crisis and emergency response procedures. It will operate in cooperation with existing campus and community resources while exercising due diligence to protect the campus community and the individual.
It is critical to understand that even with the best intentions, situations may arise that are unforeseen by any member of the campus community.
What is Behavior of Concern?
Behaviors of concern could be defined as those that the reasonable person would consider to be: disturbing, bizarre, out-of-the-ordinary, out-of-character, inappropriate, disruptive and that may potentially impede the individual's ability or the ability of others to function successfully or safely.
Behavior of Concern includes but is not limited to:
- Suicidal or self-injurious thoughts, words, or actions
- Unusual anxiety, depression, paranoia, elation
- Unusual desire for isolation,
- Dramatic change in appearance, behavior, circumstances
- Use of drugs and/ or alcohol
- Difficulty managing anger
- Lack of civility, respect for others
- Acting out and/or disruptive behavior
- Behavioral violations of the Student Code of Conduct
- Verbal or written indications of violent fantasy, intentions, past
- Participation in gang-related activity on campus
- Recent contact with law enforcement
- Mental health history related to dangerous behavior
- Unusual interest in police, military, terrorist activities and materials, previous incidents of violence
- Fascination with weaponry
What to Report and How to Report
It is the responsibility of every member of the University community to provide a proper response to a situation in which an individual or group of individuals is exhibiting behaviors that are considered to be:
- a life threatening emergency;
- a non-life threatening emergency; or
- behavior of concern.
- A Life Threatening Emergency - should immediately be reported to law enforcement and/or medical personnel by dialing “911.” Also call the appropriate campus police station. Police officers will escort medical personnel to the location.
For the safety of the campus community, consider any threat, explicit or implied, a statement of intent.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency - should be reported to the appropriate campus police station and the dispatcher advised of the situation.
Police Department (Campus Police)
Cochran Campus: (478) 934-3002
Eastman Campus: (478) 374-6403
Dublin Campus: (478) 274-7751
Macon Campus: (478) 471-2414
Warner Robins Campus: (478) 731-9901
Behavior of Concern - should be reported to the Assessment & Care Team by contacting the Office of Student Affairs (478-757-7383) or by contacting (phone/e-mail) a Team member. Any behavioral concerns that have the potential to negatively impact the safety and/or well- being of the campus environment should be reported. A current list of all ACT members can be found online
Faculty and/or staff members may be called to serve on the team based on specific circumstances, not limited to field of study, campus location, or knowledge of the individual being assessed.