Frequently Asked Questions

No.

You are not expected to assess risk, diagnose a condition or determine whether a situation is serious enough to report. Simply share what you have observed, including behavior, statement, change or circumstance that caused concern. The Dean of Students Office will review the information and determine the appropriate next step.

Yes. 

Students may use the Report a Concern form to request support for their own circumstances, including personal, academic, health, family or well-being challenges.

Anyone may submit a concern, including:

• Students
• Faculty members
• Staff members
• Parents and family members
• Friends and roommates
• Coaches, advisors, and student organization leaders 
• Community members 
• University partners

You do not need to be affiliated with a particular office or know which University team should respond before reaching out.

Yes. Anonymous reports are accepted, but providing your name and contact information may help staff clarify details, gather additional information and respond more effectively.

Our ability to follow up may be limited if we cannot contact you. 

Not necessarily. The University does not routinely identify the person who submitted the concern to the student.

However, in some situations your identity may become apparent based on the circumstances or may need to be shared when required by law or University policy.

You may receive confirmation that the concern was reviewed or be contacted for additional information.

Because of student privacy requirements, the University may not always be able to share detailed information about outreach, services, assessment or actions involving a student.

This does not mean the report was ignored. Information is reviewed and shared with appropriate University officials based on legitimate educational, operational, clinical-consultative or safety-related needs.

No. Reports are reviewed individually and routed to the office or team best equipped to respond based on their nature, urgency and available information.

Many concerns are addressed through Student Support Services, the Student CARE Team, Resident Life, the Counseling Center, an academic unit or another University office without BETA involvement.

BETA is one possible response pathway when information suggests a need for behavioral threat assessment or risk management.

No. The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) is only involved when the circumstances warrant it. If there is an immediate threat to safety or a crime in progress, call 911 or UMPD immediately. 

No. A report may lead to supportive outreach, resource referrals, case management, safety assessment or another appropriate response. Submitting a concern does not mean a student has violated University policy or will face disciplinary action.

The University's response depends on the available information, individual circumstances, applicable policies and the authority of the offices involved.

If you feel comfortable and there is no immediate safety concern, you may choose to speak with the student. 

However, you are not expected to investigate the situation, confront the students or decide whether the concern is serious enough to report. If the situation appears urgent or dangerous, contact 911 or UMPD immediately rather than attempting to manage the concern yourself.

If new information becomes available, submit an update through the Report a Concern process or contact the Dean of Students Office.

If the concern becomes urgent or life-threatening, call 911 or UMPD immediately.

No. You do not need to determine which team should receive your report. 

The Dean of Students Office will review the information and determine the appropriate office, team or response.

The Student CARE Team typically coordinates support for students experiencing significant academic, medical, mental health, housing, well-being or functional concerns that require sustained coordination and collaboration among multiple University offices.

BETA reviews concerns that may indicate a potential safety risk of harm to an individual or the University community, such as:

• Threats toward another person
• Weapon-related concerns
• An identified target
• Escalating aggression or violence
• Threatening communications
• Fixation or targeted grievances
• Other behavior suggesting potential harm to an individual or the University community

Yes.

If new information suggests increasing risk or the need for structured behavioral threat assessment, a concern may move from CARE to BETA. 

A BETA review may also transition back to CARE or individual case management when the safety concern has stabilized but the student continues to need coordinated support.

Do not wait for the Dean of Students Office to review an online report.

For an immediate or life-threatening emergency: Call 911

For an immediate campus safety concern: Call UMPD at 301-405-3333

For urgent mental health support when the Counseling Center is closed: Call 301-314-7651