What is a Student of Concern
A student of concern is any student who is displaying behaviors that may get in the way of a student’s ability to be successful in the University environment. For more information or questions please contact Dean of Students Sue O’Driscoll at (540)-545-7399 or Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards Matthew Coats at (540) 535-3502.
To report a student of concern please complete the Student of Concern Online Form, which will be directed to an appropriate member of our 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 important 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.
Submit a Student of Concern Form
Report an Incident of Sexual Misconduct
What happens afterwards
Once a Student of Concern Report is filed, it is sent to the CARE Team for review. The Case Manager will contact the individual who filed the report confirm their report has been received and that steps are being taken to help support the student. The CARE team will discuss potential resources and outreach. In some situations, the Case Manager 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. Depending upon the circumstances, the referring person may not receive specific information about the student’s action plan.
CARE Team
The mission of the CARE Team is to coordinate the support services of Shenandoah University in order to provide assistance to students that 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
Assistant 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
Rick Frye
Director of Campus Safety
rfrye2@su.edu
540-665-7338
Holli Phillips
Director of Student Support Services
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:
- Student that is constantly falling asleep in class
- A dramatic change in energy level (high and low)
- Changes in poor hygiene or appearance
- Significant changes in weight
- Frequent state of alcohol intoxication
- Potential self-harm: noticeable cuts, bruises or burns on a student
- Repeated absences from class, work study, or normal activities
- Apathy/ extreme change in participation levels
- Student seeking frequent extensions or exceptions for extenuating circumstances
- Student sending communication such as frequent, lengthy, “ranting” or agitated types of emails to 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
- Direct threats of harming self or others
- Concerns about references to access or use of a weapon or act of violence
- Threatening communication