CARE Team

The University of North Texas cares about our students' success, not only academically, but emotionally and physically. Because of our commitment, we provide literally hundreds of departments and services across campus that respond to our students' unique needs. But sometimes, students do not ask for help when they need it. So in an effort to identify those students proactively, UNT has created a network of professionals from across campus that are committed to a caring, confidential program of identification, intervention, and response in order to provide our students with the greatest chance of success and our community with the greatest level of protection.

UNT believes it is important to foster an environment that encourages students to maintain a standard of responsibility for self-care which includes the ability to respond adequately to one's emotional, physical, and educational needs. Some students who are distressed engage in behaviors that compromise their own welfare, as well as the welfare of the university community.

The presence of demonstrated distress, disruptive or dangerous student behavior can be a predictor of future harm to self, others, and the larger UNT community. While we acknowledge that no one can predict with any degree of confidence whether a student will eventually progress to acts that are harmful to themselves or others, there are behaviors indicative of higher risk. These behaviors may require further assessment by appropriate professionals to promote the safety of the student and the UNT community.

What is the CARE Team?

The CARE Team is a collaborative interdisciplinary committee of University officials that meets regularly to discuss students exhibiting behaviors indicative of high risk.

Mission

The mission of the CARE Team is to:

  • Assist in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the students and members of the UNT community.
  • Support student success.
  • Provide a comprehensive response to students whose behavior is disruptive to themselves or the environment.

CARE Representative for Each Department

Department Phone Number CARE Representative
(if applicable)
Student Affairs—Dean of Students (Chair) (940) 565-2648 Dr. Maureen McGuinness
Counseling and Testing Services (940) 565-2741 Dr. Tamara Knapp-Grosz
Dean of Students Office (940) 565-2648  Renee McNamara
Housing & Residence Life (940) 565-2610 Tomas Sanchez
Human Resources (940) 565-2281 Kate van Saaze
Provost's Office   Dr. Mike McPherson
UNT Police (940) 565-3000 Det. Shawn Keohen

 

Referring a Student to the CARE Team

To refer a student to the CARE Team, please submit a referral through report.unt.edu and include a brief narrative of their behavior. If you are concerned about a student but have not witnessed any distressing or disruptive behavior, please explain your concern in detail. After submitting a report, a UNT staff member will reach out to the student within the next business day. A crisis or emergency involving a UNT student should be reported to the UNT Police Department by calling 911 or (940) 565-3003.

The CARE Team meets regularly throughout the year and will review your referral at the next meeting. If a situation requires immediate attention, an emergency CARE Team meeting can be called at the determination of a CARE Team chair. All the representatives will have the opportunity to investigate any other information available about the student through their appropriate discipline prior to the meeting. Be assured that the CARE Team exists to care for our students, and will handle your referral in a professional manner in an effort to best meet the needs of the UNT community and our students.