Identifying Students Who Need Help

What to do if you encounter a student who needs assistance or displays troubling behavior...

Tips for Faculty & Staff: Possible Emergencies

• We recommend that you report behavioral concerns about students to one of the key contacts listed on this page as soon as possible.
• Call Public Safety at 314-968-7430 for assistance in non-emergencies. Public Safety is available 24/7 and can contact other staff as needed. Call Public Safety at 314-968-6911 immediately if you are ever feeling unsafe.
• Be Prepared! Consult the Classroom Disruption Policy within the Student Code of Conduct on the Webster web site.
  

Tips for Faculty & Staff: Prevention

• Phrase feedback positively whenever possible.
• Understand that some students lack basic "life skills" and are playing "catch up."
• Refer students to the Academic Resource Center for time management and study skills.
• Check in with your students regularly and create a climate where it is safe for students to come to you if they are getting overwhelmed.
• Encourage use of office hours and help sessions.
• Consult with a counselor or one of the other key contacts as needed.
• Model, and expect students to utilize, good stress management skills.
• Encourage student involvement in campus events and campus clubs.

Reference: Cyprian, Dr. A., LeGrand, K., McGee, S., Shaffer, S. Identifying the High Risk Student, Auburn University-Montgomery PowerPoint presentation, Retrieved May 28, 2007 from the ACCA-L LISTSERV.UGA.EDU

The Warning Signs of Student Distress and Troubled or Inappropriate Behavior

Take a close look at the student's appearance, behavior, and friends for the following signs:

Behavior:

• Loss of interest in previously important activities
• Caring less about personal performance
• Recent drop in grades, missed classes, poor attendance, repeated tardiness
• Talking/writing about suicide or violence toward others
• Unruliness and disrespect of University authorities
• Changes in sleep patterns; too much or too little
• Abrupt changes or wide variations in mood; angry and hostile, overactive and excitable or withdrawn and passive
• Increasing secrecy about actions, friend possessions
• Hidden evidence of drug use such as bottles, pipes, and/or pills of unknown origin, etc.
• Obvious withdrawal from family, friends or interests
• Stealing, lying
• Excessively watching violent movies on TV or computers and/or reading violent materials
• Giving away possessions
• Coming to class intoxicated
• Decreased concentration
• Increased disorganization

• Friends who are, in your judgment, �bad influences�

• Smell of alcohol on breath
• Unusually frequent use of breath mints
• Bloodshot or watery eyes
• Dilated or constricted pupils
• Runny nose or frequent coughing

How to Talk to Students About Your Concerns (non-emergency)

Privacy: Talk in private when you and the student have time and are not preoccupied.

Honesty: Be frank about your concerns, sharing what you observe without judging.

Limits: Be clear about the limits of your ability to help. It is not your role or responsibility to counsel students, but you can help them get the support they need.

Timing: If a student is receptive to seeing a counselor, provide them with the phone number, offer them access to your phone so they can make an appointment, or accompany them to our Counseling Center. Examples of beginning a dialogue with a student might include: Sounds like you are really struggling with ________. Many people find it helpful to talk in confidence with someone who is outside of the situation. I want to help you get the help you need and deserve. Suggest that a student seek help instead of telling or ordering them to. Inform the student of our counseling services and tell them that students visit the Webster University Counseling Center for a variety of reasons.

The Reality Nationwide

The number of students entering college with a prior psychiatric history or a documented disability continues to increase. Many chronic psychiatric disorders present for the first time in late adolescence and early adulthood. With support, students have the opportunity to succeed.

(National College Health Assessment, 2007)

When to Contact Counseling

• A student is depressed
• A student is unable to control emotions and/or behavior
• A student’s weight and/or eating behavior is of concern
• A student’s substance use is of concern
• A student appears to be in an abusive relationship
• A student is having difficulty grieving a lossOr whenever you are concerned about a student, even if you are unclear about what’s going on with the student and/or what your specific concerns may be

Student Success Committee

The Student Success Committee obtains alerts about students in St. Louis and gathers information about those students in an effort to identify appropriate assistance to help at-risk students be successful and stay in school. The SSC is composed of various departments such as counseling, financial aid, academic advising, academic resource center, judicial affairs, the multicultural center, residential life, and the business office. Kim Kleinman is currently chairing the group, with Barbara Stewart, and Ted Hoef joining him on the steering committee. The committee meets once each month and also maintains a secure group page on-line in Connections in order to immediately address students’ needs on a day-to-day basis. There is also a similar committee for international students, chaired by Wenceslaus P’Oryem. There are At Risk forms available online for faculty and staff to immediately refer a student to the SSC committees. You may access the form at: http://www.webster.edu/studlife/retention.htm

Contact Names & Numbers

To report violations of Student Code of Conduct, contact:

• Colette Cummings, Associate Dean of Students, Judicial Officer, 314-246-7738
  If Colette is away from campus contact:
• John Buck, Associate Dean of Students, 314-246-2020
• Ted Hoef, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students, 314-968-6980

For safety issues, contact:

• Dan Pesold, Director of Public Safety, 314-968-7130
  

To discuss students who need Academic Assistance, contact:

• Barbara Stewart, Director Academic Resource Center, 314-968-7495
• Kit Schmiemeier, Asst. Director, Academic Resource Center, 314-961-7700
  

To discuss students for whom you have sent in an At-Risk Report, contact:

• Kim Kleinman, Student Success Committee Chair, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Advising, 314-246-7768

To discuss International Students who may be at risk, contact:

• Wenceslaus P'Oryem, Director, International Student Affairs, International Student Success Committee Chair, 314-246-7649

To refer a student to Counseling or to discuss a student with Emotional/Mental issues, contact:

• Patrick Stack, Director of Counseling/Life Development

• Gladys Smith, Assistant Director & Sexual Assault Advocate, Loretto Hall, Room 103, 314-968-7030
• Counseling Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Compiled by Sandy Davis, M.Ed., PLPC