Partnering in care: Student of Concern Report

By Steven Yeagley, associate dean of students for crisis management 

As our students approach midterm exams, it’s a good time to review an important tool that will prompt individualized outreach to students who may be in need. The online Student of Concern Report is available through the Office of the Dean of Students to anyone on or off campus who wishes to provide intervention and/or support resources to a student who may be experiencing academic or personal challenges.

Reports are reviewed the same day as they are received and assigned to a trained staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students for outreach. Each intervention is customized based on history with the student, the reported concern, and any plans for follow-up by the reporting party. Each intervention takes the least disruptive approach to ensure the safety of the student and uphold the goal of maintaining the relationship between the reporting party and the student of concern. 

Past reported concerns have included difficulties with the transition into the University; food insecurity; health issues; signs of contemplating suicide; prolonged absences from classes; family issues; and changes in behavior.

Although students of concern are not required to respond to the Office of the Dean of Students, nearly 90 percent of the students contacted have responded to the staff, and more than 85 percent have voluntarily accepted invitations to meet. During the 2016-17 academic year, the staff provided outreach to 781 students based on received Student of Concern Reports. For the 2017-18 academic year, outreach is more than 1,000 students.

More Purdue students are using the report to share concerns for their peers this year. During the Fall 2017 semester, students represented 16 percent of all reporters. We’ve also seen community members including religious leaders, landlords, and Uber drivers use the report to share their concerns about students who were struggling.

These reports show us that the “Purdue family” does exist; they communicate to our students that they are seen and valued; and they provide opportunities to intervene for the health, success and safety of our Purdue community.

To learn more, please register to attend a presentation about the Student of Concern Report and Behavior Intervention Team at noon-1 pm. March 20. You also can request a short presentation for your department, office or organization. Thank you for your partnership in caring for each of our Boilermakers.

March 1, 2018 

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