UTSA, TAMUSA Behavioral Intervention Teams host annual coalition
UTSA and Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA) recently partnered to host the annual San Antonio Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Coalition, which provides a forum for in-depth discussion on advancing campus safety.
The event brought together experts, administrators and BITs from San Antonio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Denton, Del Rio and San Marcos. Attendees engaged in comprehensive training and discussions on best practices, case studies, lessons learned and the latest research. Presentations and messaging focused on preventing targeted violence and emphasizing the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in safeguarding campus communities.
UTSA Police Chief Stephane Schoenborn spoke at the event and highlighted the importance of behavioral threat assessment on school campuses. “Behavioral threat assessment is not just about identifying risks—it's about preventing them before they materialize,” said Chief Schoenborn. “UTSA’s Behavioral Intervention Team is our first line of defense in identifying and addressing concerning behaviors. They play a critical role in not only keeping our campuses safe, but also in providing the support and resources needed to succeed.”
Threat assessment professionals from across the country presented on management strategies for school behavioral threat assessment. Presentations covered topics including autism and threat assessment, improving the effectiveness of reporting, and operationalizing threat assessment in schools, as well as exploring a case study about a campus’s successful efforts to identify and prevent an individual from committing a mass attack.
Attendees also heard from FBI Special Agent Thomas Sweat, who provided tips on spotting signs of targeted violence and how to properly report it. Additionally, UTSA Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students LT Robinson led a conversation on UTSA’s recent management of protocols for expressive activity on campus related to potential threats of violence.
The annual San Antonio BIT Coalition demonstrates UTSA, TAMUSA and other regional institutions’ collective dedication to campus safety. By aligning our BIT efforts with cutting-edge research and collective expertise, UTSA is reinforcing its commitment to a proactive, unified approach to student safety and wellbeing. These efforts will strengthen the protective measures in place across our campuses and promote a shared commitment to creating safe environments where all students can thrive.
