GSU starts Student Concerns Program

Have you ever wanted to help a student you thought may be distressed, or whose behavior is of concern, but did not know how to help? The Office of the Dean of Students has launched the Student Concerns Program in an effort to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. The program was designed to detect early signs of distress in a student. By identifying early signs of concern in a student, the best resources can be applied to help the student. The program offers a solution to people that want to help, but do not know how. The program is also called the "Care Program" or "Early Alert Program" at other campus universities.  

The Student Concerns Program at Governors State University differs from the Campus Threat Assessment Team (CTAT). Only threats deemed a threat to the campus will be reported immediately to CTAT. The Student Concerns program is an early detection program that depends on faculty, staff and student participation to identify students who need proactive outreach.

Tamekia Scott, the case manager of the program, identified the areas of academic, physical and emotional concerns as possible signs of distress in a student.

An example of an academic concern would be a student who declines to participate or put forth effort in class. Repeated absences are also a cause for academic concern. Physical concerns would include uncommonly falling asleep in class, feeling drained, or considerable changes in weight. Emotional concerns may consist of any psychological concerns, such as a student expressing fear, depression, and unprovoked anger.

"We want to create a culture at GSU that we are a caring university," said Scott.

The program is a relationship based. If a student is hesitant of receiving assistance, the program works with advisors at GSU to assure the student the resources are there to help and assist.

The student receives direct outreach from a faculty or staff member from each department who has identified themselves as a resource person to help students. Once a concern report is submitted the resource person will make contact through phone or email to the student. Academic advisors, staff from the Academic Resource Center, and professionals in Student Life along with programs, services and workshops will be provided to help the student.

According to Dean of Students Aurélio Valente, this is a not a passive program. Reported concerns will be followed up on. While the school is mindful of privacy issues, the program is not a confidential tip line. The Student Concerns Program acts as a portal to provide the best resources for students in distress.

Concerns can be reported at http://www.govst.edu/studentconcerns. A chart of what qualifies as a possible concern is included at the bottom of the website.