In my years working in higher education, I’ve witnessed first-hand the intensity of crises that can arise in residence life settings. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a mental health emergency, or an unexpected altercation, crises in campus housing can shake the foundation of a community. Managing the immediate aftermath of a crisis is only the first step; what comes after—debriefing and follow-up—is just as essential to the health and recovery of both staff and students.
My Journey in Higher Education and Crisis Management
My career in higher ed started as an RA in undergrad, and since then, I’ve held various roles that shaped my understanding of crisis management. After my time as an RA, I became a Residence Hall Manager, where I saw the complexities of managing a large community on a daily basis. Later, as a Case Manager, I worked closely with students experiencing personal crises, ensuring they received the appropriate support and care.
In my role as Director of our Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), I was tasked with overseeing crisis intervention strategies and collaborating with multiple campus departments to create action plans for students in distress. Now, as the Assistant Dean of Students, I oversee broader campus-wide crisis management and policy implementation. In each of these roles, I’ve faced a plethora of new and unexpected challenges, but one thing remained constant: crises can and do happen, often without warning.
While each campus and department has its own policies and protocols for responding to crises, I’ve noticed a common issue across many institutions—so much energy is spent preparing for and responding to crises that the essential work of debriefing and assessment often gets overlooked. It’s understandable; crises take a toll on everyone involved, and once it’s over, there’s a collective sense of relief. But moving forward without debriefing and learning from these experiences means missing a crucial opportunity for growth and improvement.
Why Debriefing Matters
Once the dust settles, it might seem tempting to move on, especially when students and staff appear ready to resume their normal routines. However, a proper debrief after a crisis is crucial for a number of reasons:
- Processing the Event: Both students and staff need space to process what happened. Whether it’s emotional trauma or simply confusion, debriefing allows individuals to make sense of the crisis. Without this, lingering feelings of anxiety or fear can persist, impacting well-being and performance long after the event.
- Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: In the heat of a crisis, even the best-prepared teams can struggle to follow procedures or communicate effectively. A debrief is an opportunity to assess what went well and, more importantly, where things broke down. Were emergency protocols followed correctly? Was communication clear and timely? By pinpointing both the successes and shortcomings, future incidents can be managed more smoothly.
- Ensuring Psychological Support: Crises can have lasting psychological impacts. During debriefing sessions, housing professionals can identify residents and staff who may need additional support, whether that’s counseling or extended time to recover. This is an essential step in promoting long-term mental wellness and resilience. I’d also like to point out that as staff, we often find ourselves moving from one crisis to the next, without giving ourselves the time or space to grieve and process. A colleague recently introduced me to the concept of “the forgotten grievers”—people like you and me, who are responsible for managing crises, yet before we realize it, we’ve moved on to the next one without addressing our own emotional needs. Please make sure you’re taking the time and space to address your own needs. As the saying goes; you can’t pour from an empty cup.
How to Conduct a Meaningful Debrief
Debriefing isn’t just a “check the box” activity—it needs to be done with care and intention to be effective. Here’s how Res Life professionals can approach the process:
- Create a Safe Space: Ensure that the debriefing environment is supportive and non-judgmental. Staff and students should feel free to express their thoughts, concerns, and emotions without fear of reprimand. In some cases, having an external facilitator or counselor lead the session can help participants feel more comfortable.
- Invite All Relevant Parties: While it might seem efficient to only involve the staff directly responsible for crisis management, inviting a broader range of voices—including residents who were affected—can give a more complete picture of how the crisis was perceived and managed. Often, students can provide insights into what went unnoticed or unaddressed during the event.
- Document and Learn: A thorough debrief should be documented, and any actionable insights should be reviewed carefully. It’s easy to let these notes fall to the wayside, but they are a goldmine for refining future crisis management plans. What can be improved? What needs to change? Using this data to update policies and procedures is a critical step toward continuous improvement.
Closing the Loop on Crisis Management
Crises are inevitable, but effective post-crisis management doesn’t end when the immediate threat is over. Debriefing and follow-up are essential components of crisis management that help foster a sense of closure, provide necessary support, and drive future preparedness. By creating a structured and compassionate debriefing process and implementing thoughtful follow-up actions, Res Life professionals can not only manage crises but also build stronger, more resilient communities in the long run.
I know it’s easy to forget, but remember our goal should always be to learn from these moments. Each crisis, no matter how challenging, presents an opportunity for growth—for individuals, for policies, and for the campus as a whole. Let’s ensure that after the storm, we come out stronger and more prepared for whatever the universe throws at us next.
