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Red Folder: Referring Students to Support

At the University of Tampa, we care deeply about our students' well-being. As members of the 小优视频ampa community, faculty and staff play a crucial role in supporting听students' overall success. This guide is designed to help faculty and staff recognize, respond to and refer students who may be dealing with academic, personal, or听emotional challenges with compassion and support.

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Immediate Assistance

Is the student鈥檚 behavior clearly reckless or dangerous听and/or is the student at immediate risk of harming self听or others?听

IF YES:

Student is Off Campus

Is the student鈥檚 behavior clearly reckless or dangerous and/or is the student at immediate risk of harming self or others?

IF NO:

Recognize

If you have a feeling that something is听鈥渙ff鈥澨齩r out of the ordinary behavior range of a student, you are usually correct.听

Some observed behaviors that indicate distress may include:

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  • Repeated absences and/or decline in听quality of work
  • Unusual or concerning content in听coursework or communications
  • Continual requests for assignment听extensions or course adjustments with no听documentation听
  • Behavior that interferes with classroom, group work, or activity engagement
  • Increased need for support that is more personal than academic

  • Evidence of intoxication or impairment
  • Consistently hungover
  • Dramatic increase/decrease in energy level
  • Excessive sleepiness or sleep disturbance
  • Noticeable changes in physical appearance or hygiene
  • Seeming disoriented or confused

  • Self-disclosure of distress related to family, relationships, mental state, or finances
  • Strained interpersonal relationships, isolating behaviors, lack of sense of belonging, or decreasing self-image
  • Noticeable changes in behavioral patterns or habits
  • Expressions of extreme hopelessness
  • Unusual emotional response to events, such as exaggerated anger, sadness, or flat affect听
  • Disregarding boundaries
  • Displays of paranoia, delusional thinking, or hallucinations
  • Expressions of concern about the student by peers

  • Noticeable physical injuries, such as bruises, cutting marks on arms or legs, or burns
  • Verbal, written, or implied references to suicide, homicide, assault, or self-injury
  • Unprovoked anger, hostility, or physical violence
  • Stalking, closely tracking others, following others, or harassing behavior
  • Preoccupation with violence, death, self-harm, and/or weapons in coursework or communications
  • Frightening and/or disruptive behaviors

Respond

Each situation is unique. Use these important tips to determine the most appropriate response for a distressed student.

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  • Feeling overwhelmed is a common reaction and means you care
  • Take three deep breaths and invite the student to join you
  • Speak calmly with moderate pace and volume
  • Offer the student water and get some for yourself, too

  • Be direct
  • Stick to the facts
  • Don鈥檛 make assumptions
  • Describe the changes you have noticed
  • Ask them if they are okay
  • Listen to understand, not to respond

"How are you, really?

"You have seemed down recently.听Is there anything you want to talk about?

"I have missed you听in class lately.听Is听everything ok?

  • Be present, patient, and listen to them
  • Demonstrate empathy for what they are going through
  • Let them know they are not alone, and you are there for them
  • Provide them a space to be heard and don鈥檛 make assumptions about them
  • Be curious - ask them questions
  • Describe changes you have noticed

" That must be hard. I want听to help you find the right听resources.

"That sounds听really听challenging.听Let鈥檚 figure out听your next step.

  • Determine the need and resources
  • Reaffirm your support and care
  • Connect them to resources
  • Encourage the student to check back in if needed
  • Follow up to see if they need additional support

"Thank you for sharing your听experience. I am not an听expert in this area, but I听know someone who might听be able to help. Would it be听okay if I put you in contact听with them?

" It sounds like you鈥檝e听been struggling, have you听thought about visiting听Counseling Services? I听have heard great things听from students.

"I care about you, and I鈥檓 really concerned about what听you've shared with me. To make sure you鈥檙e safe, I鈥檓听going to call Campus Safety so they can support听you. You鈥檙e not in trouble - I just want to make sure听you're听not alone in this.

INFORM YOUR SUPERVISOR

Alert your supervisor/chair/dean about your听interaction. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy听Act (FERPA) permits communication about a student of听concern with those who have a legitimate educational听interest or a need to know.

COMPLY WITH MANDATORY听REPORTING

f a student discloses an incident of sexual or gender-based harassment or assault, you must submit a .

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Reflect on your own boundaries, self-care, and support needs. Seek support from colleagues, supervisors, and department heads. Utilize the or the听.

Mandatory Reporting

If you believe that the student may disclose sexual misconduct, inform them that you are not a confidential resource and will be required to submit a .


Refer

First, follow the steps listed here to the right. Does the student need immediate assistance?

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The student鈥檚 behavior is clearly reckless or听dangerous and/or the student is at immediate risk of听harming self or others.

WHAT TO DO:

If the student is on campus

CALL CAMPUS SAFETY AT

(813) 257-7777

OR

If the student is off campus

CALL 911

Follow-up by submitting a

The student shows signs of distress, but it is not听clear how serious it is. I feel uneasy and/or really听concerned about the student鈥檚 behavior.

WHAT TO DO:

CALL COUNSELING SERVICES AT

(813) 257-4114

if between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Let them know you have a student who needs to

speak to someone and/or you need assistance in

determining next steps.

OR

CALL THE 24/7 SUPPORT LINE AT

(833) 755-0484

Follow-up by submitting a

I am not concerned for anyone鈥檚 immediate safety,听but the student is having academic and/or personal听issues and could use some support.

WHAT TO DO:

View the

WHERE TO REFER A STUDENT

information included on the page below for additional

support.

Encourage the student to set up an appointment or

assist them in doing so.


Where to Refer Students

Resources based on students' disclosed concerns.

Student's Disclosed ConcernWhere to Refer
Victim of sexual misconduct
(e.g. sexual harassment, sexual discrimination,听stalking, domestic violence, and/or sexual assault)
You must submit a online or by email at titleix@ut.edu and refer the student to Victim Advocacy at (813) 257-3900
Victim of a crime听Submit a听
Experiencing a bias-related incident听Submit a听
Death of a family member or close friendSubmit a听

Student's Disclosed ConcernWhere to Refer
Mental health concern
  • Encourage the student to contact Counseling Services for an appointment at (813) 257-4114
  • Also, provide the student with the 24/7 support line number (833) 755-0484
  • Submit a
Physical health concern
  • Encourage the student to contact Medical Services for an appointment at (813) 253-6250
  • Submit a听
Feeling anxious, lonely, or听stressed
Disruptive behavior
  • Submit a
  • Refer to the for classroom behavioral issues

Student's Disclosed ConcernWhere to Refer
Generally concerning behavior
  • Submit a
Wanting to get involved and听connect with peers
Financial assistance or help with听basic needs
Roommate conflict in on-campus听housing听
  • Tell the student to speak to their Resident Assistant or Area Coordinator
  • If the roommate鈥檚 behavior is a violation of the student code of conduct, tell the student to submit a
Need for accommodation or concerns听about existing accommodations

Student's Disclosed ConcernWhere to Refer
Grading issue or professor听concern
  • Students should first attempt to resolve concerns with their professor
  • If unresolved, contact the Department Chair
  • If still unresolved, contact the College Dean
  • Refer student to the or in the Catalog
Need academic support or听repeated absences
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