Resources for Faculty & Staff

UMass Dartmouth faculty and staff are in a unique position to demonstrate compassion for students who are in distress or crisis. Both undergraduate and graduate students may feel alone, isolated, and hopeless when faced with academic and life challenges. These feelings can disrupt academic performance and can lead to serious physical and emotional issues. If you are concerned about a student, don’t let uncertainty stop you from taking action. UMass Dartmouth is committed to supporting students in crisis. The Office of Student Affairs has developed this guide to help you Recognize, Respond to, Refer, and Report troubling student behavior. For additional information or support, feel free to contact the Student Affairs office at 508-999-8640.

Recognizing and responding to students in crisis

Recognize, Respond, Refer, Report: a guide on recognizing behaviors and determining how to react.

Responding to students in crisis

• Engage students early on, pay attention to signs of distress, and set limits on disruptive behavior
• Don’t be afraid to ask students directly if they are confused, sad, or having difficulty with alcohol or drugs
• Listen and allow time to understand the student’s concerns.
• Trust your instincts–If you are concerned, consult with staff in the Student Affairs office. Promptly report safety concerns and Code of Student Conduct violations to the Office of Community Standards.
• Consult with the Counseling Center for additional support.
• Follow-up–Once you have referred a student for help, it is helpful to follow up. Your personal connection to the student is valuable in helping the student improve.

Recognizing dangerous behavior

• Safety is an immediate concern
• Verbal or physical threats to harm others
• Stated threats of suicide
• Comments about owning weapons or bringing them to campus

Recognizing disruptive behavior

• Safety is not an immediate concern
• Engages in bizarre behavior or communications
• Disruptive to the living or learning environment
• Engages in offensive language or comments of a racial or sexual nature

Recognizing disturbing behavior

• Troubled, confused, very sad, highly anxious, irritable
• Lacks motivation and/or concentration
• Visible injuries or bruises
• Intoxicated or high in class
• Thoughts about not wanting to live as expressed verbally or in papers or other assignments.
• Difficulties in interactions with others

Important information

Absence/notification letters

Students who experience a family or personal emergency (death in the family, unplanned hospitalization, etc.) may request notification letters be sent to their professors. Students should complete the Reason for Absence Form. Letters will be sent if the situation will result in the student being absent for three or more days and the student is unable to contact their faculty directly.

Students with disabilities

The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) provides direct support services to students with all types of disabilities. Students with disabilities may register with CAS for support. Faculty and staff can contact the CAS to discuss accommodation requests or general questions for any student in their class who may need accommodations.

Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct outlines the standards and expectations for student conduct and behavior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. For more information, visit the Office of Community Standards.

Care Network

A central reporting and referral source that provides coordinated resources for students who are experiencing serious academic and personal issues. For more information, see the UMassD Care Network.

Behavioral Intervention Team

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) takes a coordinated and educational approach to assessment and intervention with students who are in significant distress or those whose behavior significantly affects the community in a detrimental way. The BIT consists of a variety of campus experts in areas related to student behavior including representation from Academic Affairs, Care & Advocacy, Community Standards and Public Safety. The BIT reinforces an institutional “ethic of care,” balances the wellbeing of the individual with the safety of the community, is responsive and proactive, promotes campus wide access to helping resources, and works with the CARE network to support students when necessary. for more information, call 508-999-8640 

Sexual misconduct and violence

UMass Dartmouth is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual misconduct, including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking. With the exception of confidential resources (i.e., Victim Advocate, Counseling Center professionals, Healthcare practitioners, and members of the clergy), all faculty and staff members are obligated to report knowledge of incidents of sexual misconduct to the University’s Title IX Coordinator (or designee), including student employees acting in a supervisory capacity in the performance of their duties (e.g., Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, Resident Assistants, Orientation Coordinators and Leaders). In this way, victims of sexual misconduct will receive consistent information about support and University response procedures. Find information about support services.

Privacy laws and confidentiality

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about student health and safety emergencies. Observations of a student’s conduct or statements made by a student are not FERPA protected. Such information should be shared with appropriate consideration for student privacy.