General Services
Safety & Security
Psychological Emergency
Table of Contents
01. Policy Statement ........................................................................................................................ 2
02. Reason for Policy ...................................................................................................................... 2
03. Signs of a Psychological Emergency ........................................................................................ 2
04. Procedure for Non- Residential Facilities .................................................................................. 2
05. Procedure for Residential Facilities ........................................................................................... 3
06. Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 3
07. Emergency Contacts ................................................................................................................. 4
08. Additional Resources ................................................................................................................. 4
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01. Policy Statement
The entire Pace community shares a responsibility to respond to a person in a psychological
emergency and to protect that individual and/or the community. Although the Counseling
Services’ primary responsibility is to the student population on campus, the Counseling staff is
also available to the faculty and for consultation, evaluation, and referral.
In addition, as it specifically pertains to residential students, it is important to point out the
following:
 A student is considered to be responsible for his/her behavior at all times and is subject
to University judicial, administrative or legal action.
 If there is significant doubt as to whether a student is capable of assuming responsibility
for his/her behavior, an emergency situation exists.
 Staff should take immediate action to insure the safety of both the individual student and
the campus community (i.e., if warranted notify Security, the Counseling Center and/or
request Security to contact the police).
02. Reason for Policy
Pace University is actively committed to preserving the health and safety of its students, staff, and
faculty.
03. Signs of a Psychological Emergency
If any of the following signs are exhibited, get help immediately!





Expression of suicidal thoughts
Expression of homicidal thoughts
Severe loss of emotional control
Gross impairment of thinking ability
Bizarre behavior
04. Procedure for Non- Residential Facilities
1. During Office Operational Hours:
o
o
o
2.
Initiate the procedures under the protocol “How to Handle Emotional Distress”.
Contact the Counseling Center and/or Health care Unit if needed.
Recommendations may include:
1. A Staff Psychologist may consult with the caller to determine appropriate
recommendations.
2. Security may be contacted to arrange appropriate emergency transportation.
After Hours and/or Weekends:
o
Initiate contact to the appropriate 24-hour community support service as outlined
below (see contacts) and follow their recommendations and suggestions and/or
contact Security for that campus, who will contact the psychologist on 24 hour beeper
duty from the Counseling Center. The psychologist on-call may provide
recommendations as outline above.
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3.
If the situation involves a faculty member, the Dean for Students, Security, the Director of
Counseling, and the Campus Director of Human Resources should be informed as to the
nature of the incident.
4.
If emergency transportation is needed, Security should be contacted for assistance.
05. Procedure for Residential Facilities
1. During Office Operational Hours:
o
Initiate the procedures under the protocol, “How to Handle Emotional Distress”.
2. Recommendations may include:
o
o
A Staff Psychologist may consult with the caller to determine appropriate
recommendations.
Security may be contacted to arrange appropriate emergency transportation
3. After Hours & on Weekends:
o
Contact Security and the Resident Life Staff member on duty. They will contact the
staff psychologist on call and the Dean for Students (who will contact any other
necessary office or staff).
o
The emergency contact person may make one of the recommendations
outlined above.
06. Responsibilities
Staff/Faculty Members:
At no time during an emergency situation should a staff member transport a student in a
personal vehicle, nor accompany the student in a cab. If the student must be removed
from the campus, the student should be transported either by Security, ambulance, a
family member, or police.
A staff member will accompany the student to the hospital for evaluation. The staff member could
be, but is not limited to, a member from Residential Life and/or the Counseling Center. Based on
student need, the staff person may remain with the student until a decision is made regarding
whether the student will be admitted to the hospital. The staff member will keep the Dean for
Students updated on the status of the emergency. The Dean will make the decision regarding
contacting the individual named on the person’s records to be notified in case of emergency.
The University representative must not sign the student into the hospital.
Students:
The student is responsible for any costs incurred for medical consulting, treatment or
transportation. The University representative must not sign the student into the hospital.
If the resident student is not admitted into the hospital, he/she will not be permitted to return to the
University residence halls until an evaluation is conducted. A professional who is unaffiliated with
the University will make this evaluation. The evaluation will be assessed by a psychologist from
the Counseling Center, who will consult with and/or provide recommendations to Residential Life
and the Dean for Students regarding whether the student will be permitted to return to the
University residence. The University reserves the right to require the student to undergo a second
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evaluation by a licensed mental health professional affiliated with the University (at University
expense) prior to a decision being made as to whether the student may return to residence or the
University.
07. Emergency Contacts
Counseling Center
 Westchester – (914) 773-3710
o Hours:
 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm
 Walk-in appointments – Monday through Friday between 1pm and
2:30pm
 New York – (212) 346-1526
o Hours:
 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm
 Evening hours by appointment
 Walk-in appointments – Monday through Friday between 1pm and
2:30pm
 White Plains – By appointment only.
After Counseling Center Business Hours, you can call:
Safety & Security
 New York Campus: (212) 346-1800
 Pleasantville Campus: (914)773-3400
 Briarcliff Campus: (914) 923-2700
 White Plains Campus: (914) 422-411
You can dial 777 from any Pace phone in the event of an emergency or press the security button
on your Pace phone.
Suicide Crisis Hotline
 New York - (212) 673-3000
 Westchester - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Rape Crisis Help Hotline
 (212) 577-7777
 (914) 345- 9111
08. Additional Resources
The policy and procedures set forth on the subject of the protocol, “How to Handle Emotional
Distress”, are also relevant here.
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