When Egos Collide: Managing partnerships between Campus Police Departments, Residence Life Professionals, and Counseling Centers

Who We Are Private, Faith-Based 4-year Institution 4,800 Undergraduate Students Approximately 2200 Residential Students Average 24 ACT, relatively expensive institution The Counseling Center, ACU Police Department, and Department of Residence Life Education and Housing reside within the Division of Student Affairs.

The Counseling Center Our mission is to facilitate personal growth through a holistic approach that enhances emotional and relational well-being, through guidance, education, and wise counsel to the ACU community while promoting a spirit of respect and integrity in partnership with the mission of Abilene Christian University 6 Full-Time counselors, 1 admin., and 5 clinical students We average about 4000 scheduled appointment a year and see an average of 425 students a year. Depression and Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Issues, Eating Disorders, Relational Issues, Addictions, Suicide

ACU Police Department ACUPD is a full service, fully functional campus law enforcement agency providing 24/7/365 professional police services to the ACU campus, community, and ACU area residents. ACUPD officers are all fully licensed, certified and commissioned State of Texas Peace Officers under applicable Texas statutes. A total of 26 employees, including: Chief of Police, Administrative Lieutenant, 2 Shift Supervisory Sergeants, 1 Criminal Investigator, 11 Patrol Officers. ACUPD responds to an average of 5,000 calls for service each year. Calls range from routine service oriented calls such as building access issues, motorist assists (jump-starts, vehicle unlocks), and also include traditional police calls dealing with a broad range of criminal offenses ranging from theft, burglary, credit card fraud, assault, sexual assault, automobile accidents, etc.

Residence Life Education & Housing The mission of RLEH is to support ACU’s mission by offering intentional, Christ-centered living and learning communities that provide opportunities for student learning, student success, and authentic relationships in excellent residential facilities. Approximately 2200 residential students 10 Full-Time Residence Life employees Bachelors minimum, most hold Masters Degrees in psychology, education, organizational conflict resolution, HR, etc. Majority under the age of 30 Tasked with community development, incident response, student success, clean facilities, etc. The mission of RLEH is to support ACU’s mission by offering intentional, Christ-centered living and learning communities that provide opportunities for student learning, student success, and authentic relationships in excellent residential facilities. Approximately 2200 residential students 10 Full-Time Residence Life employees Bachelors minimum, most hold Masters Degrees in psychology, education, organizational conflict resolution, HR, etc. Majority under the age of 30 Tasked with community development, incident response, student success, clean facilities, etc.

M e d i c a t e d S e x u a l l y A b u s e d Only Child E n t i t l e d Religious Identity V a l e d i c t o r i a n S e x u a l I d e n t i t y A t h l e t e I n s e c u r e M e n t a l H e a l t h Self-Harm Academically Underprepared G e n i u s F i n a n c i a l l y S t r u g g l i n g Family Pressures B i g D r e a m s Scared Hopeful Excited 1st Gen. Their Life Before College M e n t a l H e a l t h A b u s e C y c l e s Roommates S p i r i t u a l I d e n t i t y Addiction F a m i l y S u p p o r t T i m e M a n a g e m e n t I n s e c u r e O v e r w h e l m e d Self-Harm Academic Challenges D i v e r s i t y B r o k e Relationship Cycles B i g D r e a m s Scared Excited Sexual Identity Their Life In College And They All Live Here

Who is in charge here?

✦ We represent three distinctive professional departments, all requiring different professional qualifications, different (and at times competing) missions, years of experience, etc. ✦ We are tasked with the well-being of the campus, often times responding to campus during and after hours, including on-site crisis intervention. ✦ Culture of Communication & Connection

Campus Partnerships ✦ Group Discussion: ✦ Exploring Campus Partnerships

The Naked Worshiper ✦ Case Study #1 ✦ How we handled this situation on our campus ✦ What are barriers on your campus that would have made this challenging?

Psychosis on the way out...and then back in... ✦ Case Study #2 ✦ How we handled this situation on our campus ✦ What are barriers on your campus that would have made this challenging?

Managing the Ego Collision ✦R✦Recognition that this conflict is inevitable: Not a confrontation free-environment ✦M✦Managing through collegiality and relationships ✦H✦Hall Adoption Program ✦T✦The Simple Power of the Meal ✦B✦Balancing the care of community (i.e. family, faith- components, reputation and mission ) with the legal/duty of care responsibilities towards the student / individual rights ✦S✦SOC / SOS ✦R✦Residence Life Educational Programming ✦A✦ACU PD + Abilene PD partnerships.

Take Away’s ✦C✦Culture of Being Pro-active ✦P✦Processes for Response ✦C✦Culture of Communication ✦D✦Don’t forget the Hugs and Kisses ✦C✦Culture of Positive validation / personal and professional respect ✦I✦Importance of the Post-Event Debrief ✦T✦Tendency to group organizational structures financially as opposed to programatically ✦A✦Ability to balance self-deprecation vs. professional standing (Willingness to be collegial and professional ~MASH Unit)

Questions ✦ Group Discussion ✦ Questions ✦ Institutional Specific Scenarios