Make a Referral

Although the terms ‘concerning’ and ‘worrisome’ are subjective, the following list of indicators provides some context when assessing whether a student may need additional support:

Academic Indicators

• Persistent unexplained absences.
• Deterioration in quality/quantity of work.
• Extreme disorganization or erratic performance.
• Written or artistic expressions of unusual violence, morbidity, social isolation, despair or confusion.
• Continual seeking of special permission (extensions, make-up work).
• Patterns of perfectionism.
• Disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations.

Emotional Indicators

• Direct statements indicating distress.
• Significant change in mood.
• Angry or hostile outbursts, yelling or aggressive comments.
• More withdrawn or more animated than usual.
• Appears over-anxious.
• Excessively demanding or dependent behavior.
• Fails to respond to outreach from staff/faculty.

Physical Indicators

• Deterioration in physical appearance or personal hygiene.
• Excessive fatigue, exhaustion.
• Erratic or disjointed thinking – skips around a lot; unable to stay focused on one topic; topics don’t align.
• Noticeable cuts, bruises, burns.
• Frequent or chronic illness.
• Disorganized speech, rapid or slurred speech; confusion.
• Substance abuse.

Other factors to consider

• Concern expressed by another student or teaching assistant.
• Student is experiencing substantial and prolonged financial or legal problems.
• A sixth sense or hunch that something is wrong.

Source: https://studentsofconcern.dasa.ncsu.edu/when-to-refer/

Syracuse University community members are strongly encouraged to report student behaviors that they feel are concerning or worrisome, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Early identification of a concern means being proactive, providing outreach and resources to students, and promoting a community of care for our campus.

1. Early intervention means rapid solutions: Often, a quick response to provide a distressed student with timely resources will ensure that the student remains successful academically.  Late intervention often involves missed classes, isolation from friends and family, possible withdrawals or late drops and an overall interruption in the student’s experience.
2. Connecting the Dots: Our office receives reports from all over campus. Our ability to connect your concerns with the concerns of others means we are able to provide a greater level of support for each student involved.
3. We Care, You Care: Making a referral shows that you care enough to get the student the help they need. It means you are not prepared to let a student fall through the cracks. It means our community takes care of its members.
4. It Might Be Required: Under certain circumstances, faculty and staff are obligated to report acts of violence and other threatening behaviors.

Source: studentsofconcern.dasa.ncsu.edu

Faculty, staff, students, parents, family members or any concerned person can refer a student to the Student Outreach and Support case managers.

• Allow the student to talk freely.
• Help student to clarify the problem.
• Identify what has worked in the past.
• Identify possible campus resources.
• Encourage student to seek support.
• Do not promise confidentiality.
• Take them seriously; ask directly about what is going on.
• Respect and accept student’s value system.

When helping a student in distress, trust your own insight and reactions. It is essential to know your limitations and when to seek further assistance by emailing case managers or calling 315.443.4357 (HELP).

Case managers review referrals throughout the day, Monday-Friday during business hours. Case managers will acknowledge that your referral is received within 24 hours on the next business day. Follow-up steps may include contacting you for additional information, outreach to the student directly and/or any other identified parties with relevant information. If you have questions or concerns and would like to speak with a case manager regarding your referral, contact us by emailing case managers or calling 315.443.4357 (HELP).

Yes, Student Outreach and Support provides various trainings to the Syracuse University campus community on topics spanning our services, supporting students in distress and procedural advisor training.

For more information or to request a training, please contact us by emailing case managers or calling 315.443.4357 (HELP).

The following on-campus resources can be of assistance to you and students.

• Barnes Center at The Arch
• BIPOC Student Success
• Disability Cultural Center
• Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs
• Hendricks Chapel 
• LGBTQ+ Resource Center
• New Student Programs
• Student Living
• STOP Bias and Hate

The following resources provide details about information-sharing regulations:

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)