Behavior Concerns Advice Line
512-232-5050
Are you worried about a student in your class, bothered that your roommate has been acting differently, or concerned about the behavior of a co-worker? Do you have concerns but are not sure who to call for help? If so, call the Behavior Concerns Advice line at 512-232-5050.
To learn more about the Behavior Concerns Advice Line, read answers to the following frequently asked questions:
- What is the behavior concerns advice line?
- Why should I call the behavior concerns advice line?
- What are behavior concerns?
- How do I contact the behavior concerns advice line?
- Is it possible to remain anonymous?
- Will my conversation be confidential?
What is the Behavior Concerns Advice Line?
The Behavior Concerns Advice Line is a phone-in service that provides The University of Texas at Austin’s faculty, students and staff an opportunity to discuss their concerns about another individual’s behavior. This service is a partnership among the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).
Trained staff members will assist the caller in exploring available options and strategies. They will also provide appropriate guidance and resource referrals to address the particular situation. Depending on the situation, callers may be referred to resources including but not limited to the Office of the Dean of Students/Student Emergency Services, Counseling and Mental Health Center, and the Employee Assistance Program. If callers choose to remain anonymous, they may do so. Cases that present an immediate threat to self, others, or property should be considered an emergency and should be directed to The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) by calling 911.
Why should I call the Behavior Concerns Advice Line?
An important way for the university community to feel connected is to create opportunities for caring and concern. The Behavior Concerns Advice Line provides a central resource to anyone who is concerned about an individual and may not be sure about how best to help them. By calling the advice line, campus and community support networks may be accessed, optimizing the chance that individuals will receive needed assistance. Call the Behavior Concerns Advice Line if you are concerned about someone and want to help.
What are behavior concerns?
Examples of situations in which faculty, students or staff may need advice include, but are not limited to:
- A faculty member may come across an essay containing comments that suggest a student is experiencing serious emotional issues.
- A student may be concerned that she has not seen or heard from her roommate in over a week during a busy time in the semester.
- A staff member may be unsure of the appropriate protocol after hearing rumors about potentially volatile comments made by another employee.
- Students may notice that their teaching assistant’s behavior is unpredictable — sometimes the TA does not show up for class, is perhaps not making much sense during lectures, or the TA seems to have stopped caring about his appearance. Students in the class are concerned about the TA and they don’t want him to lose his job.
- A student may appear to be distressed in class and her behavior is somewhat out of the ordinary.
- A student in a study group may not be acting like himself.
- A staff member notices that a co-worker has been yelling at people and seems angry all the time.
How do I contact the Behavior Concerns Advice Line?
Dialing 512-232-5050 will connect you to trained staff members 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year. Cases that present an immediate threat to self, others, or property should be considered an emergency and should be directed to the The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) by calling 911.
Is it possible to remain anonymous?
If callers choose to remain anonymous, they may do so. The university will, to the extent possible, respect the wishes of callers concerning their anonymity, but there may be situations where the identity of the caller will need to be disclosed or will become apparent because of the actions taken to address the situation.
Will my conversation be confidential?
The university will, to the extent permitted by law, maintain the confidentiality of the conversation except as needed to make referrals or follow up on the subject discussed. In some instances however, the university may be required to release information in response to a court order, subpoena, or open records request.
Office of the Dean of Students | Counseling and Mental Health Center | Employee Assistance Program | University of Texas Police Department
