Behavior Assessment & Care (BAC)

BAC Team Mission Statement

Consistent with the Moorpark College “students first” mission, the Behavior, Assessment, and Care (BAC) Team supports student success and well-being by:

• Assessing students whose behavioral patterns have raised concern; centralizing communication to gain a holistic understanding of the individual student;
• Balancing needs of the individual with the campus community; and
• Developing a collaborative outreach plan with campus and community resources, as necessary, to address identified risks.

The team also serves as a resource, providing referrals, consultation, and support to the campus community.

Time is of the essence when addressing a possible student crisis. All faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to report any student behavior they find concerning. When reporting, please be as detailed as possible. When ready to report, Complete this BIT/BICT/CARE Form and select submit. The BAC team will receive the report as soon as you hit that submit button. 

Violations of the Student Code of Conduct are adjudicated by the Dean of Student Conduct. The case then goes to the BAC team for further assistance and referrals.  

BAC has your Back!

The BAC team is regularly trained in the NABITA threat assessment tool and applies those assessment tools to gauge the level of concern when issues arise. They then put in place a plan of action to mitigate those concerns.

Meet your BAC team members!

Dean of Student Conduct
Elizabeth David, edavid@vcccd.edu
(805) 553-4848

Campus Police
Lieutenant Andrew Huisenga, ahuisenga@vcccd.edu
(805) 378-1455

Faculty Representative
Nils Slattum, nslattum@vcccd.edu
(805) 553-4889

Student Health Center Coordinator
Allison Case Barton, abarton@vcccd.edu
(805)553-4183

Access Coordinator or Designee
Matthew Cassaro, matt_cassaro@vcccd.edu
(805) 553-4748

Mental Health Therapist
Michelle Pereira, mpereira@vcccd.edu
(805) 553-4748

See something

Moorpark College faculty and staff are in a unique position to identify students who are in distress or causing distress. Students may feel alone, isolated and even hopeless when faced with any number of life challenges. These feelings can be disruptive, sometimes causing a decline in academic performance, poor coping and other serious consequences. Since you may be the first person to SEE SOMETHING of concern with a student, take notice of the concern and take the next step.

Say something

Students displaying concerning behavior in your presence are likely to be having difficulty elsewhere. Trust your instincts and SAY SOMETHING if a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed or threatened and then take the next step.

Do something

Sometimes students in distress cannot or will not turn to family or friends for assistance. DO SOMETHING! Your expression of concern may be what is needed to help save a students’ academic career or even their life.

Academic Indicators

• The sudden decline in the quality of work
• Bizarre content in writings or presentations
• You find yourself doing more personal rather than academic counseling during office hours.

Physical Indicators

• Marked changes in physical appearance including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight loss/gain.
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance
• Intoxication, hangover or smelling of alcohol or marijuana.
• Disoriented or “out of it.”

Safety Risk Indicators

• Unprovoked anger or hostility
• Implying or making a direct threat to harm self or others
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideations/violent behaviors- a “cry for help.”
• Communicating threats via emails, correspondence, texting, or phone calls.