What is a Student of Concern?
Common Signs of Distress
Academic Indicators
- Missed assignments/repeated absences
- Disturbing content in projects, communication (i.e. emails)
- Disorganization/erratic performance
- Sudden requests for extensions on projects or assignments
- Consistently seeking personal rather than professional advice from faculty and staff
- Talking incessantly during lectures
- Doesn’t respond to repeated requests for meetings, follow-ups or other forms of contact
- Deterioration of work quality
Behavioral/Physical Indicators
- Deteriorating hygiene
- Visibly intoxicated/increased substance use/abuse
- Excessive fatigue
- Signs of injury
- Unprovoked anger/hostility
- Sudden changes in physical appearance (i.e. noticeable changes to weight)
- Communicating threats
- Strange or bizarre behavior; losing touch with reality
- Discrimination or harassment
Psychological Indicators
- Disclosing personal distress (i.e. financial or legal difficulties)
- Unusual or disproportionate emotional responses
- Verbal abuse
- Excessive tearfulness, panic attacks
- Lack of empathy
- Loss of touch with reality
- Homicidal/suicidal ideation
- Verbal abuse like taunting, badgering or intimidation toward staff, faculty, friends, or faculty
Basic Needs Indicators
- Direct knowledge student has experienced trauma or loss
- Hospitalization
- Lack of access to dependable transportation
- Lack of access to clothing
- Lack of access to food
- Lack of access to safe housing
- Childcare needs (i.e. schooling, daycare)
