NCHERM established the CUBIT (College & University Behavioral Intervention Team) Model as a direct response to the wave of campus violence and shootings that began in 2007.  CUBIT is the answer to a very specific question, asked by the NCHERM team in the wake of these incidents:  What is the best way to prevent what happened on those campuses from happening on other campuses? 

While some campuses have looked to sirens, cameras, and text messaging, these are inherently reactive tools.  While these tools are necessary, so is an equally compelling emphasis on prevention.  CUBIT is a proactive, prevention-based model that gives campuses the best chance of getting out ahead of violence.

We subscribe to the premise that targeted violence can be prevented. The research shows that violent campus actors almost always give clues or some type of forewarning prior to their acts.  We needed a model that would allow campuses to centralize reporting, coordinate threat assessment and orchestrate intervention.  While some campuses had elements of what was needed, CUBIT was needed to synthesize those elements into a cohesive model. 

We incorporated in the CUBIT Model not only the great practices already in place on some campuses, but also the findings of the Virginia Tech internal investigation, Governor's Panel Report and Report to the President, as well as the Illinois and North Carolina Task Forces, and the research done by the FBI, Department of Education and the Secret Service.

The CUBIT Model is built around eight core team functions:

• Centralize reporting
• Triage reports
• Assess threat/risk
• Assess available resources
• Perform or empower interventions
• Coordinate follow-up
• Assess long-term success/outcomes
• Educate the community

Since the CUBIT Model was introduced to the higher education community in December of 2007, over 400 campuses have implemented some version of it.  Additionally, CUBIT has been adopted by five state systems including the eight colleges and universities of Wyoming, the eight campuses of Mississippi, the nineteen community colleges of Maryland, the thirteen campuses of the University System of Georgia, and the seventeen colleges of CUNY. 

Contact Kate Halligan, NCHERM Director of Client Relations (kate@ncherm.org), for details on how the NCHERM experts can help you implement CUBIT on your campus.  We offer a comprehensive CUBIT menu of options to suit your campus needs, whether you have had a team in place for years, are just starting your efforts, or are somewhere in between. 

Our 12 CUBIT-related consulting services include:

1. Team Setup and Formation Training and Consultation
2. Team Best Practices Training and Implementation
3. Advanced Team Techniques and Strategies
4. Threat Assessment Training for Behavioral Intervention Teams
5. Training for Faculty/Staff on Managing Disruptive Incidents
6. Training for Faculty/Staff on What to Report, to Whom, When and How
7. Online Training for Faculty/Staff -- Campus Safety 101
8. Classroom Management Training
9. Online Reporting and Team Recordkeeping Database Software
10. The NCHERM Behavioral Mental Health Consultation Team
11. Year-long NCHERM Team Support and Consultation Retainers
12. NaBITA -- Membership to the National Behavioral Intervention Team Assoc.

Click on any of the items above to learn more about how NCHERM can assist you.

TESTIMONIALS

Here's what your colleagues think of the NCHERM CUBIT model and our Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Institutes:

“I wholeheartedly recommend the work of Mr. Brett Sokolow of the NationalCenter for Higher Education Risk Management.  I have been in student affairs administration for over 30 years and have extensive experience with student behavioral issues, conduct issues, and crisis response.  There is currently great intensity of focus on these issues on college campuses around the country in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech and the Northern Illinois tragedies.  Brett Sokolow and the work of the NationalCenter for Higher Education Risk Management are truly a “breath of fresh air.”  Brett’s no-nonsense and well informed approach is exactly what is needed on our campuses today.  The College and University Behavioral Intervention Team (CUBIT) model that Brett has developed is excellent and is adaptable to any campus environment.  As a trainer, Brett is engaging, knowledgeable, patient, and very effective.  Brett is committed and passionate about promoting the best practices for the health and safety of our students and our campuses. He recently spent two days on our campus training our team in the CUBIT model.  Every person involved in the training was not only impressed with Brett and his presentation style, but were also highly complimentary of the CUBIT model and how well prepared they felt to begin implementation of the concepts they learned.  I sincerely applaud the excellent work of the NationalCenter for Higher Education Risk Management.” 

~ Bill Kibler, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs, Mississippi State University

“The NCHERM Threat Assessment Institute provided a valuable opportunity to examine models of best practice, federal laws, and innovative ideas in prevention, identification, and early intervention.  What made it so worthwhile for me was how approachable and engaging each presenter was, not just during the sessions, but throughout the entire conference.”

~ Anne Lawing
Sr. Asst. VP for Student and Academic Services, University of New Hampshire

“I found the course to provide a wealth of information and to be a valuable tool to any professional interested in threat assessment or risk management.   The presenters were knowledgeable, interesting, and approachable.   I came back to my institution with useful information and strategies that I was able to pass on to my colleagues. I was also impressed with the willingness of the speakers to answer questions afterwards and to be a future contact.” 

~ Mary Dietrich
Culinary Institute of America 

“The institute provides an invaluable learning experience that focuses on resolving difficult college and university issues through a clearer understanding of behavior analysis and threat assessment.”

~ Steve Rittereiser
Asst. VP Business Auxiliaries and Public Safety, Central Washington University

“The value of what I received far exceeds the cost of the seminar.” 

~ Lisa Blankenship
Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Texas, Pan American

"I don’t know where we would be as a group without this tool.  I know we would not have consistency in our way of evaluating each student!

You may use that [as a testimonial].  It is the least I can do for all the help that you all have offered.  You can paraphrase that as well!!!"

~ Yvette Sweeney

Dean of Student Development, St. Charles Community College

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