Office of the Dean of Students staff work collaboratively with partners across campus to support students through whatever challenges they may be facing. We help students connect with the resources appropriate to their individual needs and consult with staff and faculty who are concerned about a student.听听



Faculty and Staff Guide to Supporting Students of Concern

Who is a student of concern?

Academic Indicators

  • Repeated absences听
  • Missed assignments, exams, or appointments听
  • Deterioration in quality or quantity of work听
  • Extreme disorganization or erratic performance听
  • Written or artistic expression of unusual violence, social isolation, despair or confusion, preoccupation with suicide or death听
  • Continual seeking of special provisions (e.g., extensions on papers, make-up exams)听
  • Patterns of perfectionism: (e.g. inability to accept any grade but an A)听
  • Overblown or disproportionate response to grades or other evaluations

Behavior or Emotional Indicators

  • Personal tragedy or significant problems
  • Family problems
  • Severe anxiety or depression
  • Expressions of hopelessness
  • Angry or hostile outbursts or aggressive comments
  • Financial burdenIsolation or inability to locate student

Physical Indicators

  • Self-harm or threat to harm others
  • Deterioration of physical condition
  • Frequent or chronic illness
  • Disorganized speech confusion
  • Excessive fatigue or falling asleep in class

When should I refer a student of concern?

  • If you are concerned about the welfare of a student, yourself, and/or other students.
  • If a student asks for help in dealing with personal issues that are outside the scope of your role as a faculty or staff member.
  • If your efforts to manage a concern has not resolved the problem.
  • If you have referred the student in the past and there seems to be no improvement or things are getting worse.
  • If you are unsure where to refer a student or how to address concerning behavior.

How to refer a student of concern

Speak directly with the student

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  • Meet individually and in a quiet place
  • Set a hopeful tone
  • Express your concern and caring
  • Point out specific behaviors you鈥檝e observed
  • Listen attentively to the student
  • Avoid making promises of confidentiality
  • Suggest resources and referrals

Connect the Student to Resources

  • Explain the limitations of your knowledge and experience
  • Provide name, phone number, and office location of the resource OR walk the student to the resource
  • Frame any decision to seek help as a smart and mature choice
  • Realize that your offer of help may be rejected
  • Follow up with the student

Consult and Report

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  • When in doubt, consult!
  • There are many staff with expertise on campus who can support you, including the DOS team, UCS, BCPD and resources listed here.
  • You must report any concerns about a student鈥檚 current or previous suicidality to the DOS team
  • Call 617鈥�552鈥�3470 OR fill out our online form at bc.edu/outreach

The situation is urgent if:

  • There are written or verbal statements that mention despair,
    suicide, or death.

  • Severe hopelessness, depression, isolation, and withdrawal

  • Statements that suggest the student is 鈥済oing away for a long time鈥�

  • If a student is exhibiting any of these signs they may pose an
    immediate danger to self or others you should stay with the student and contact University Counseling Services at (617) 552鈥�3310

  • After hours you can access the Psychological Emergency Clinician by calling UCS at 617-552-3310 and pressing option 2.

Call University Counseling Services @ 617-552-3310

The situation is an emergency if:

  • Physical or verbal aggression is directed at self, others, or property
  • The student is unresponsive to the external environment; s/he is incoherent, passed out, disconnected from reality/ exhibiting
  • psychosis, or displaying disruptive behavior
  • The situation feels threatening or dangerous to you or others
  • Imminent threats to safety

Call the BCPD Emergency Line @ 617-552-4444

Important Resources

Office of the Dean of Students
617-552鈥�3470 | Maloney 445 | bc.edu/dos

Center for Student Wellness
617-552-9900 | Gasson 013/025 | bc.edu/student-wellness

University Counseling Services
617-552鈥�3310 | Gasson 001 | bc.edu/counseling

BCPD (non-emergency line)
617-552鈥�4440 | Maloney Hall | bc.edu/bcpd

Women鈥檚 Center
(617) 552鈥�3489 | Maloney Hall 441 | bc.edu/wc

Sexual Assaul Network
617-552鈥�2211 |听Maloney Hall 441 | bc.edu/sanet

University Health Servcies
617-552-3225 |听2150 Commonwealth Ave. | bc.edu/uhs

Campus Ministry
617-552鈥�3475 |听McElroy 233 | bc.edu/ministry

Disability Services
617-552鈥�3270 |听Maloney 445 | bc.edu/disability

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