What is a Student of Concern?
A student of concern is any student who is displaying behaviors that may interfere with their ability to be successful in the University environment. To report a student of concern, please complete the Student of Concern Online Form, which will be directed to the University’s CARE Team.
Fellow students, family members, faculty, and staff can play an invaluable role in helping students who are in distress. Your expression of interest, concern, and compassion is an important factor for a student seeking the assistance they need. If immediate assistance is needed because of a threat to themselves or someone’s safety, call the police by dialing 911. For on-campus situations, contact the Department of Campus Safety at 540-678-4444 or dial extension 4444 from any campus phone.
For more information or questions, please contact the Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Sue O’Driscoll, at 540-545-7399 or the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Matthew Coats, at 540-535-3502.
Submit a Student of Concern Form
Report an Incident of Sexual Misconduct
What happens after a Student of Concern report is filed?
Once a Student of Concern report is filed, it is sent to the CARE Team for review. A member of the CARE Team will contact the individual who filed the report to confirm their report has been received, to gather additional information as needed, and to share that steps are being taken to help support the student. Please note that depending upon the circumstances and confidentiality, the referring person may not receive specific information about the student’s action plan. The CARE Team meets weekly and will discuss potential resources and outreach to students referred through the student of concern process. Based on the situation and level of need, a member of the CARE Team may reach out directly to the student of concern to assess what resources would be beneficial to the student and collaboratively develop an action plan with the student to reduce obstacles to their success at Shenandoah.
What is the CARE team?
The mission of the CARE team is to coordinate the support services of Shenandoah University in order to provide assistance to students who may be experiencing some potentially harmful or disturbing behaviors and promote academic success and safety through an appropriate, timely, and caring response.
CARE team Goals
- Provide a safe physical environment for members of the university community
- Provide a safe emotional environment for the university community
- Promote peace of mind for friends and family of the university community
CARE Team Members:
Sue O’Driscoll
Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
sodrisco09@su.edu | 540-545-7399
Matthew Coats
Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards
mcoats@su.edu | 540-535-3502
Brittney Burton
Director of Residence Life
bburton@su.edu | 540-665-4799
Holli Phillips
Assistant Dean of Accessibility and Support
hphillip@su.edu | 540-665-4928
Rodney Bragdon
Professor of Psychology
rbragdon@su.edu | 540-678-4328
Nicholas Coleman
Director of the Counseling Center
ncoleman@su.edu | 540-665-4530
Salli Hamilton
Executive Director, Academic Advising, Transition, and Progression
shamilto2@su.edu | 540-535-3524
What constitutes a concern
Troubling Behaviors:
- Constantly falling asleep in class
- A dramatic change in energy level (high or low)
- Poor hygiene or changes in appearance
- Significant changes in weight
- Frequent state of alcohol intoxication
- Potential self-harm: noticeable cuts, bruises, or burns
- Repeated absences from class, work study, or normal activities
- Apathy/extreme change in participation levels
- Seeking frequent extensions or exceptions for extenuating circumstances
- Sending communication such as frequent, lengthy, “ranting,” or agitated types of emails professors, advisors, coaches, or work supervisors
- Emotional outbursts (anger or hostility, frequent crying)
- Extreme personality changes (more withdrawn or more animated than usual)
- Expressed hopelessness, fear, or worthlessness; themes of suicide, death, and dying
- Direct statements related to distress, family issues, or other difficulties
- Food insecurity or lack of housing
Disruptive Behaviors:
- Interferes with or disrupts the educational process and rights of other students or the normal functions of the university
- Demanding, verbally abusive, bullying, or intimidating behaviors
- Displays of extreme irritability
- Irrational or impulsive behaviors
Threatening Behaviors:
- Signs of physical abuse
- Physical/verbal confrontations
- Directs threats of harming self or others
- Concerns about, references to, or access to or use of a weapon or act of violence
- Threatening communication
Tips for Intervening
- See the student in private. This may help minimize embarrassment and defensiveness.
- Acknowledge your observations and perceptions of their situation and express your concerns.
- Listen carefully to the student’s issue and try to view their perspective without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing. Explore alternatives.
- Attempt to identify the student’s concerns as well as your own concerns or uneasiness.
- Strange or inappropriate behavior should not be ignored. Comment directly on what you have observed.
- Involve yourself only as far as you are able. In an attempt to help a troubled student, you may become more involved than time or skill permits. In these instances, a referral to the Counseling Center may be appropriate. The Counseling Center provides free and confidential services to all matriculating students who are enrolled in degree-seeking programs.
- To connect a student with the Counseling Center, call 540-665-4530 from your office or walk the student over to the lower level Racey Hall.
FAQs
Can I submit a report anonymously?
Yes, Student of Concern reports can be submitted anonymously. However, because the CARE Team may need to follow up for clarification or additional information, you are encouraged to identify yourself in your report.
Will the student know I made the report?
It is recommended that before submitting a report to the CARE Team, reporters first talk to the student directly about their concerns and, when appropriate, refer the student to campus resources. However, there may be circumstances when this is not appropriate or possible. Members of the CARE Team will take careful effort not to disclose the reporting party’s name. However, due to the small size of our community or the nature of your concern, a student may be able to conclude who made the report.
What follow-up can I expect from the CARE Team as a reporter?
Once a Student of Concern report is filed, a member of the CARE Team will contact the individual who filed the report to confirm their report has been received and that steps are being taken to help support the student. A representative from the CARE Team may also reach out with clarifying questions or requests for additional information. In many situations, the Care Team may not be able to provide detailed follow-up information to the reporter as this information is only shared on a need-to-know basis.
What happens if I am referred to the CARE Team?
If someone is concerned about you and shares their concern with the CARE Team, you can expect a representative of the CARE Team to reach out to you to assess what resources would be beneficial to you and collaboratively develop an action plan with you to reduce obstacles to your success at Shenandoah. The CARE Team’s collaboration with you is confidential and will not be shared with fellow students, family members, staff, or faculty without your permission or a legitimate reason to do so.
Are communications and meetings with CARE Team representatives confidential?
The information shared with the CARE Team does not fall under the same confidentiality levels of a healthcare provider or psychotherapist/counselor. Every effort is made to protect your privacy and the information discussed will only be shared in the context of assisting the student. The CARE Team will share information on a need-to-know basis.
For more information or questions, please contact the Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Sue O’Driscoll, at 540-545-7399 or the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Matthew Coats, at 540-535-3502.
Resources for Those in Need
If you are having difficulty meeting your basic needs, the CARE Team is here to help. For a list of on-campus and community resources that can provide assistance and support for either yourself or someone else, please contact Matthew Coats, mcoats@su.edu. You can also submit a Student of Concern report, if you would like to be connected with any of these resources or if you are in need of a resource not listed here.