Addressing Concerns About Students
Faculty and staff are often the first people to notice and step in to offer help when a student is struggling, but you don’t need to handle it alone. RIT has many resources, offices, and tools available to support an array of student needs.
You can and should report concerning student behavior so that we have multiple eyes on developing issues, and we are better able to address concerns early and holistically.
Additionally, COLA’s Dean's Office and Office of Student Services can help with questions or concerns about student behavior and well-being, or you can use any of the resources and reporting mechanisms listed here.
Resources for Concerns About Students
Academic
- Student Academic Integrity Policy: Covers all kinds of student academic misconduct and explains procedures for handling alleged academic integrity breaches.
- Starfish: A student success platform that allows course instructors to share feedback with students regarding course progress. Starfish alerts both the student and their advisors and home department chairs. Please use these liberally, since they create a paper trail that helps us monitor ongoing student concerns.
- COLA’s Office of Student Services: provides academic advising and scheduling assistance for students in COLA programs.
- Academic Success Center: Supports students with study skills, tutoring and coaching, and additional academic support.
Accessibility, Accommodations, and Disability Services
- Access Services: Provides interpreting, notetaking, and real-time captioning to RIT community.
- Disability Services Office: Facilitates equal access for students with disabilities.
Behavioral and Mental Health
- RIT Red Folder: A flowchart for faculty and staff to use when identifying indicators of distress in students and matching them with the appropriate resources and next steps. You may want to print a copy out to keep in your office, since this also contains a list of relevant contacts and important phone numbers and websites.
- Tiger Concern Reports allow faculty and staff to report on a range of student behavior that is concerning. Reports are confidential and can cover concerns about a student’s well-being, including “concerning, worrisome, or threatening” behavior.
You do not need to restrict use of the Tiger Concern Reports to students who might be a threat to themselves or others; you should also report broader mental health concerns or signs that a student might be moving toward a crisis or higher level of need.
Faculty and staff are often the first people to notice that a student is struggling. Reporting students early allows us to intervene early. Please don’t hesitate to report concerns.
- The Student Code of Conduct outlines unacceptable behavior generally. Students can be reported either via the Student Conduct Policy above or to Public Safety or via Tiger Concern Report (#5).
- Counseling and Psychological Services: Faculty or staff can send students directly to Counseling and Psychological Services and remind them that there is an Urgent Support link for those who need immediate assistance.
Financial Need
- The Financial Aid Office can help students identify sources of financial aid and address financial holds. Our COLA professional advisors work closely with financial aid on addressing registration holds as well.
- RIT FoodShare and Bern’s Closet are resources for students in immediate need of food or clothing.
Safety
- RIT Public Safety: If you feel that someone is in immediate danger, including yourself, contact immediately at 585-475-3333 or call 911. Add the RIT public safety phone numbers (RIT Public Safety: 585-475-3333, RIT Public Safety Text Line: 585-205-8333) to your phone contacts so you’ll be ready if needed.
Additional Resources
- Spectrum Support provides additional support and resources for students on the autism spectrum.
- Faculty can refer students to the Student Life webpage for additional information, resources, clubs, and support for students, including affiliation groups supporting students from various backgrounds and identities.
Resources for Faculty and Staff
For any of our faculty or staff who themselves might need self-care and counseling support, RIT offers free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program.
You can also reach out to the Ombuds office for confidential conversations that can help faculty and staff think through options and identify relevant policies for a range of concerns.
