Advising Struggling Students

September 13, 2012

Jennifer D. Van NormanDirector of Student Case Management

Erin PittsCollegiate Success Coach

Robert WhiteAssistant Director of Advising at INTO

Presenters

Session Overview

•Philosophy•Advising and Academic Struggles•Personal Struggles•Student Consultation Team•Case Management•University Policies•Questions & Answers

CSU’s PhilosophyEarly identification and intervention

helps everyoneMultiple reporting mechanisms are

important – Advisers are often the first to hear of or notice student struggles

Multiple resources can provide effective interventions – You don’t have to be the expert in everything, you can refer a student to multiple resources

Safety & Success are the primary focus

CSU’s Philosophy

Model of Strategy

Identification --- Prevention --- Post Incident

Advising and Academic Struggles

• Early Grade Feedback• Precipitous Change in

GPA• Referral

Identification

• U-TURN• Proactive

Outreach• Project Success• PEAK• RAM Reconnect

Prevention

• Repeat Delete• Retroactive

Withdrawal

Post Incident

Advising and Academic Struggles

Incomplete Policyhttp://registrar.colostate.edu/faculty-incomplete-grades

Academic Dismissal Appealhttps://secure.casa.colostate.edu/application/ssc/appeals/

Retroactive Withdrawal Appealrefer student to CASA

Registration Appeal (audit, pass/fail, late withdrawal)registrar.colostate.edu/Data/Sites/1/pdf/Registration-Appeal-

Checklist.pdfGrade Change Appeal

http://www.conflictresolution.colostate.edu/grade-appealsPlanned Leave Policy

Coming Fall 2013

Post Incident

Who is a Struggling Student?◦ Student is

argumentative, belligerent, inappropriate

◦ Student reports health or mental health concerns that interfere with daily life

◦ Another co-worker/ student/staff/family member reports strange or out of character behavior

◦ Student reports thoughts or behaviors of harming self or others

◦ Student has uncharacteristically stopped attending class/work

◦ Student turns in written or online work/emails/social network posting that is disturbing

◦ Student communicates in a bizarre fashion (email, voice mail, in person)

◦ Any behavior that you find disturbing or alarming

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

Working with Struggling Students

Action A Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Action L Listen non-judgmentally

Action G Give reassurance and information

Action E Encourage appropriate and professional help

Action E Encourage self-help and other support strategies

What is a “Case Manager”?Core functions

Works with students in “crisis”Hospital LiaisonConnect students to campus resourcesCoordinate transitions to/from CSUAssist students and families with

internal procedures (withdrawal, appeals, etc.)

Personal Struggles

Person Identified by faculty, staff, student, co-worker, community or family member and contacts the Division of Student Affairs.

Behavior of person is NOT perceived as a direct threat or disruptive to others

Behavior of person IS perceived as a direct threat or disruptive to others

Information Gathering/Referral from/to collateral agencies/programs on campus that may include:•Other faculty/staff/students•Resources for Disabled Students•Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services•Student Case Management •Women and Gender Advocacy Center•University Residence Life•CSU Police Department

Student Consultation Team:

The team(s) recommend and initiate responses that provide for the well-being, safety, and respect of those involved and the CSU community as a whole.

Plan from recommendations of all involved that may include:•Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services•Ongoing case management•Parent/Guardian involvement•University Withdrawal•Mandatory Referral/Termination/Involuntary Withdrawal•Referral to campus or community resources•No action•Other

Struggling Student

Student Consultation TeamThis committee is convened when an incident involving a student occurs that could potentially cause harm to the student, other students, staff, faculty or the community. The team recommends and initiates responses that provide for the well-being, safety, and respect of those involved.Student Consultation Team:

•Special Advisor for Support & Safety Assessment (Chair)•Dean of Students•Assistant Dean/Director of CRSCS•Director of Student Case Management•Public Relations•General Counsel Office•Director of Counseling Services•Director of Residence Life•Associate Director of WGAC •CSU Police Representative•Director EAP & Ombuds

Tell Someone!If you are concerned about a student OR an employee, Tell Someone.

Signs that a student OR employee may need help• Written or verbal references to violence, suicide or death, or drawings of that nature • Thoughts, plans, means and intent related to suicide or homicide.• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills or other means • Making overt references to suicide or homicide • Unusual or changed pattern or interaction with others • Change in academic or job performance • Change in personal hygiene or dress • Excessive absences or tardiness to class or work • Repeated requests for special consideration, especially when this represents a change

from previous behavior • Engaging in risky behavior or behavior that causes injury to themselves such as cutting • Strange or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality • Expressing feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or severe psychological pain • Noticeable change in behavior • Isolation from family or friends • Swollen or red eyes • Dramatic weight loss or gain • Depressed mood or low energy • Hyperactive or rapid speech or mood • Excessive anxiety • Disruptive or threatening behavior • Problems with peers or family members • Exaggerated emotional response that is obviously inappropriate to the situation • Abusing drugs or alcohol

http://safety.colostate.edu/tell-someone.aspx

University Policies & Strategies

Public Safety Team • Health and Safety Referral Form http://safety.colostate.edu/forms/report-distressed-individual.aspx• Dedicated Phone Line (970) 491-1350

Campus Safety and the Clery Act• Timely warning policy (what are you required to report) http://police.colostate.edu/pages/timely-warning.aspx

Psychological Assessment and Student Withdrawal for Personal or Campus Safety• Recommendation from the Student Consultation Team and approved by Vice President http://policies.colostate.edu/PolicySearch.aspx?xGplID=ejwslrkXwng=

Questions & Answers