Responding to Students in Crisis

• Inability to concentrate
• Confusion
• Persistent worrying
• Social isolation
• Increased irritability
• Bizarre behavior
• Frequent or excessive missed classes, appointments, or assignments
• Dangerous or risky behavior
• Increased or noticeable restlessness
• Deterioration in personal hygiene/disheveled appearance
• Mood swings
• Excessive or noticeable indecisiveness
• Noticeable depression

Conveying your concern and willingness to help and make referrals for a student in crisis is probably the most important thing you can do. Your support, your clarity, and your willingness to act will be particularly valuable to a student in crisis. If possible, speak directly and honestly to a student when you sense that he or she is in academic or personal distress.

If you are unsure of how to handle a specific student, we encourage you to consult with one of the counselors or psychologists on the Counseling Center staff. Call 314-977-8255 (TALK), inform the receptionist who you are (faculty or staff) and ask to speak with a counselor or psychologist. A brief consultation may help you sort out the relevant issues, explore alternative approaches and suggest new ways to cope with the anxiety or stress the student may be experiencing. 

The Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards has an automated reporting process that allows members of the University community to provide immediate notification to multiple departments by completing an incident report form. The incident report form is specific to concerns involving students and can be completed before or after, and without a referral, to the University Counseling Center. Detailed information regarding your report is vital in determining the proper response.

For incidents involving faculty members, please contact the Dean for the corresponding College, for incidents involving Saint Louis University staff members, please contact the Human Resource automated line at 314-977-2360. For all emergencies contact the DPS dispatcher at 314-977-3000 or 911.

Only current student, faculty or staff members of the SLU community may file a report via this form. If you are not a current SLU community member, please contact the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards at 314- 977-7326 to speak with a staff member. Reports filed through this online Incident Report are immediately received through this system and viewed the next business day.

If you have any questions regarding filing an Incident Report, please contact the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards at 314-977-7326.

Report an Incident

If a referral to the University Counseling Center is appropriate, you can be most helpful by clearly and concisely telling the student why you think counseling would be helpful.

Make sure the student understands that:

• Insurance covers counseling for full-time enrolled students
• Professional counselors and psychologists provide counseling Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• All discussions are confidential except when the student presents a danger to self, others or when certain kinds of abuse are involved.
• Early intervention is preferable to crisis intervention.
• To ensure prompt attention, it is best to call in advance for an appointment.

Having the student make the call increases his or her responsibility and commitment to come for counseling; however, there may be times, especially if the student is in crisis, when it is advantageous for you to call and make the appointment and accompany the student to the counseling office. An appointment will be scheduled for the student with one of the counselors as quickly as possible. A specific counselor or psychologist should not be requested because a rotating on-duty crisis counselor is available.

Indicators for Urgent Professional Assessment

Some situations call for urgent professional assessment/action:

• Suicidal talk, thoughts or evidence of attempt
• Fear of losing control and possibly harming someone
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault
• Fear for her/his life or for the life of someone they know
• Panic attacks, frequently
• Frequent binging or purging
• Thinking that is so disorganized as to be incomprehensible

To Make an Urgent Referral

• Call 314-977-8255 (TALK).
• Inform the receptionist who you are.
• Identify the need for an Urgent assessment.
• Ask to speak with the on-duty counselor.

Non-Urgent Referrals

• Call 314-977-8255 (TALK) for a consultation with a counselor or to make an appointment.
• Encourage the student to call the University Counseling Center.
• Inform the receptionist who you are.
• Identify the need for an assessment.
• Complete a MapWorks Referral (for those with access; for traditional freshmen only: academic advisers, U101 Instructors, and Residential Housing Coordinators).

A student who has experienced a recent death, or who is anticipating the death of a loved one or community member, might appear lethargic, tearful, irritable or distracted. They may have difficulty concentrating and may have a hard time focusing on schoolwork.
Do
Tell the student what you notice
Consider initiating a discussion about how the situation may be impacting the student's school functioning, and how the student might make a realistic plan for dealing with academic obligations
Refer for emotional support and academic planning
Don’t
Be afraid to acknowledge their grief or the impact it may be having
Assume you know what it means to the student
Devalue the impact the situation is having
Immediately advise the student to drop out of school

Referral
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Campus Ministry: 314-977-2428
Student Support and Parent and Family Programs: 314-977-9378

Anxiety is a normal response to a perceived danger or unknown situation. For some students the cause of their anxiety will be clear, but for others it is difficult to pinpoint the source of stress. Regardless of the cause, the subjective experience is similar and includes: rapid heart palpitations; chest pain or discomfort; dizziness; sweating; trembling or shaking; and cold, clammy hands. The student may also complain of difficulty concentrating, always being "on the edge," difficulty making decisions or being too fearful to take action. In some cases, a student may experience a panic attack in which the physical symptoms occur so spontaneously and intensely that the student may fear she/he is dying.
Do
Let the student discuss his or her thoughts and feelings; often this alone relieves a great deal of pressure
Be clear about your parameters and recommendations
Stay calm
Provide a safe and quiet environment until the symptoms subside
Call the University Counseling Center at 314-977-8255, or 911 if the student is unable to calm down
Don’t
Discount the thoughts and feelings the student expresses
Overwhelm the student with information or too many ideas
Try to "fix" their condition
Referral
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)

You may observe a range of evidence of self-injuring behaviors including scars, cuts, missing hair or burns. You may receive written assignments disclosing self-injury. You might feel horrified, disgusted, angry, overwhelmed, sad, helpless, concerned, or compassionate. In response,
Do
Talk to the student in private about what you see
Express your concern in a neutral, compassionate way
Express hope
Give referrals
Don’t
Convey the intensity of your emotional response
Order the student to stop
Referral
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)

 You may observe a student who is:
Very thin or a very thin student with unusual downy hair on her/his skin
Has discolored teeth or scars on the back of her/his hands from inducing vomiting
Preoccupied with food and exercise
A student may disclose quite restrictive eating, eating large quantities of food at one time, vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising compulsively.
Do
Talk with the student about your concerns in a supportive way. It is important to discuss these issues with honesty and respect.
Talk with the student at an appropriate time and place - in private, free from distractions
Be prepared that the person may deny that she or he has a problem
Listen with a nonjudgmental ear
Encourage the person to seek professional help as soon as possible. Suggest that she/he see someone who specializes in eating disorders such as a physician, therapist, or dietitian
Be aware of how much you talk about weight, food, calories, or appearance
Don’t
Try to solve her/his problems or help with the eating disorder on your own
Confront the student with a group of people, or in front of a group of people
Make any comments on what student looks like
Try to force or encourage the student to eat
Get into power struggles
Let his/her peculiarities dominate you or manipulate you
Gossip about her/him to others
Be scared to talk with her/him
Expect a student to be "cured" by treatment; recovery can be a long process
Referral
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)

  Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive drug. Drugs and alcohol are commonly abused in the college environment. Student drug or alcohol use may come to your attention when students are actually under the influence in class, or when use outside class sabotages student performance.
Do
Express your concerns in terms of specific changes in behavior and performance
Offer support and concern for the student's overall well-being
Express confidence that the student can change this if they decide to. If there is a problem, there is effective help.
Maintain contact with the student after a referral is made. Ask if you may check in.
Consider calling DPS at 314-977-3000 if a student is disruptive in the classroom
Don’t
Attempt to discuss the situation if the student is under the influence
Attempt to elicit "confessions"
Be surprised or thrown off by denial
Convey judgment or criticism about the student's substance abuse
Make allowances for the student's irresponsible behavior
Ignore signs of intoxication in the classroom
Attempt to rescue the student, or get overly involved in the problem
Step outside your role
Referral
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326

 

The University Counseling Center provides counseling for all Saint Louis University full-time, part-time and graduate students. A counselor is on call 24-hours a day and can be reached at 314-977-8255 (TALK) for a mental health emergency.
Student who is Depressed
Depression is a part of a natural emotional and physical response to life's ups and downs. There are challenges in so many areas of life for college students that many, if not most, people will experience periods of depression during their time in school. Due to the opportunities that faculty and staff have to observe and interact with students, they are often the first to recognize that a student's depression is putting the student in distress. When depressive symptoms interrupt a student's ability to function in schoolwork or social environments, you may notice:

Tearfulness/sadness
Dependency (a student who makes excessive requests for your time)
Markedly diminished performance
Lack of energy/motivation
Infrequent class attendance
Increased anxiety/test anxiety/performance anxiety
Irritability
Deterioration in personal hygiene
Significant weight loss or gain
Alcohol or drug use
*Early intervention increases the chances of the student's return to optimal performance.

DO:
Let the student know you've noticed that she/he appears to be feeling down and you would like to help
Reach out and encourage the student to discuss how she/he is feeling

DON'T:
Minimize the student's feelings, e.g., "Don't worry. Everything will be better tomorrow."
Bombard the student with "fix it" solutions or advice
Chastise the student for poor or incomplete work
Be afraid to ask whether the student is suicidal if you think this might be the case

Referral:
University Counseling Center - 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Student who expresses Suicidal Thoughts
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. All suicidal comments should be taken seriously. High risk indicators include: a pattern of feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and futility; a severe loss or threat of loss; detailed suicide plan; a history of a previous attempt; history of alcohol or drug abuse; feeling of alienation and isolation; a preoccupation with death; and life circumstances which present the threat of significant loss or an actual loss.

DO:
Take the student seriously--80% of suicides give warning of their intent
Be direct. Ask if a student is suicidal, if she/he has a plan, and if she/he has the means to carry out the plan. Exploring this with a student can decrease their impulse to carry out the plan
If the situation is dangerous to you or the student, call the police immediately
Take care of yourself. Suicide intervention is demanding and draining work

DON'T:
Minimize the situation
Be afraid of planting the idea of suicide in an already depressed mind by inquiring about it. Most often people are relieved that someone is concerned, or has guessed how hard things are.
Ignore your limitations
Promise to keep it secret

Referral:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center on-call counselor: 314-977-8255 (TALK)

 

As a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution, Saint Louis University is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment conducive to the academic pursuit and healthy personal development of all persons. All members of the University community share responsibility for fostering this environment by adhering to standards of conduct. Any form of sexual assault is a serious violation of these standards and will not be tolerated.

The complete Sexual Misconduct Policy can be found here>
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX is a good resource for sexual assault policy information >
Student who has Experienced Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment is unwelcome and unwanted sexual attention and/or advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual's working or learning environment. It may involve intimidation, threats, coercion, sexual advances, request for sexual favors or other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It is usually found in the context of a relationship of unequal power, rank or status. It does not matter that the person's intention was not to harass. It is the effect it has that counts. As long as the conduct interferes with a student's academic performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment, it is considered sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment usually is not an isolated one-time only case but a repeated pattern of behavior by the perpetrator that may include:
Physically assaulting or repeatedly intimidating, teasing, mocking, or joking based on an individual's gender or sexual orientation
Comments about another person's clothing, body, or sexual activities
Questions about another's sexual behavior
Demeaning references to another's gender
Sexually oriented jokes
Conversations filled with innuendoes and double meanings
Displaying of sexually suggestive pictures or objects
Repeated non-reciprocated demands for dates or sex
Unwelcome physical contact like unnecessary touching, pinching, patting, or brushing against another's body

Sexual harassment of students is covered by the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8. Common reactions by students who have been harassed is to doubt their perceptions, wonder if it was a joke, or wonder if, in some way, they have brought it on themselves. A student may begin to participate less in the classroom, drop or avoid classes or even change majors.

DO:

• Take the situation seriously
• Take a look at the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Take a look at The University's Hate Crime and Bias Related Incident Protocol in the Student Handbook, §1.9 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Separate your personal biases from your professional role
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977- 8255 (TALK)
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation.
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student

DON'T:

• Investigate: A good faith sense that this is a problem is enough.
• Ignore the situation: Taking no action reinforces the student's already shaky perception that she/he has been wronged. Ignoring the issue can also have legal implications.
• Overreact: Listen, support, and guide the student to appropriate channels.
Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3886
University Counseling Center: 314-977- 8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Student who has Experienced Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault can involve any gender and can constitute various sexually intrusive acts. A student may disclose a past or recent sexual assault. People who have been sexually assaulted have a range of responses (controlled, expressed, angry).

DO :
• Take the disclosure seriously
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977- 8255 (TALK), and inform the student that confidentiality can only be assured by talking with a counselor. Offer to walk the student over to the University Counseling Center to see a counselor, located on the second floor of Wuller Hall.
• Refer to the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student
• Contact the Title IX Coordinator: DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3886

DON'T:
• Promise confidentiality
• Investigate or attempt to assess whether there was a "real" assault
• Touch the student
• Overreact
• Moralize about the circumstances
• Share information except in accordance with the University's Sexual Assault Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.17

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX - 314-977-3838
Dean of Students - 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator - 314-977- 3886
University Counseling Center - 314-977- 8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards - 314-977-7326
Student who has Experienced Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate Partner Violence can include a relationship dynamic in which one person is:
Constantly put down or criticized by their partner.
Sad, worried, and stressed out by their relationship.
Giving up things that are important to them like school, family or friends because of their relationship.
Often worried about their partner's anger.
Scared of their partner's unpredictability and scanning for when the next eruption of anger will come.
Embarrassed for people to know how their partner treats them.

You might notice:
Frequent calls or pages from a partner, that the student seems unable or unwilling to control
A partner waiting outside class, or attending class with the student unexpectedly
Injuries, and possibly implausible or self-blaming explanations for how they occurred
Concern for the well-being of the abusive partner ("I want him/her to get help")

DO:
Tell the student what you notice
Report to the police if you believe the behavior constitutes a crime
Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977-8255 and offer to walk the student over to see a counselor, located on the second floor of Wuller Hall
Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student
Contact the Title IX Coordinator: DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3886

DON'T:
Promise confidentiality
Tell them what to do (like leave).
Dismiss the possibility that this is a problem relationship.
Investigate
Do nothing. Taking no action implicitly condones a potentially harmful situation.
Overreact
Moralize about the circumstances

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977- 8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3886
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838

 

The mission of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX is to promote a deep understanding and appreciation among the diverse members of the University community, to promote justice and equality in educational and employment opportunities, as well as to lead efforts to create an inclusive academic and work environment. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX at 314-977-3838.

Saint Louis University is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects the fundamental dignity of all human beings. As part of this commitment, the University has developed the Hate Crime and Bias-Related Incident Protocol to provide a caring, effective, and uniform response to any member of the SLU community who reports a hate crime or bias-related incident, or who is the victim of a hate crime or bias-related incident.

Hate Crime and Bias-Related Incident Protocol>
Harassment Policy>

Student who has Experienced Harassment
Harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status is conduct that interferes with an individual's work or academic performance or participation in University programs or activities, and creates a working or learning environment that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating or hostile.
Harassment may occur between students, faculty, and staff of any gender. It may occur when one individual holds a position of real or perceived authority over the other or between individuals of equal status. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, workplace, residence hall, or within any University sponsored program or activity.
Harassment based upon protected classes may involve:

• Physically assaulting or repeatedly intimidating, teasing, mocking or joking based on an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status
• Repeatedly directing racial or ethnic slurs at an individual
• Repeatedly telling an individual that he/she is too old to understand new technology
• Repeatedly displaying disparaging visual material (calendars, posters, cards, software and web sites)
Harassment of students is covered by the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8. The University's Hate Crime and Bias Related Incident Protocol in the Student Handbook, §1.9 may also be implicated in situations involving the behavior described in this section.

DO:
• Take the situation seriously
• Take a look at the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Take a look at The University's Hate Crime and Bias Related Incident Protocol in the Student Handbook, §1.9 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Separate your personal biases from your professional role
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977-8255 (TALK)
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student

DON'T:
• Investigate. A good faith sense that this is a problem is enough
• Ignore the situation: Taking no action reinforces the student's already shaky perception that she/he has been wronged. Ignoring the issue can also have legal implications.
• Overreact: Listen, support, and guide the student to appropriate channels.
Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3065
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Student who has Experienced Discrimination
Discrimination is conduct that deprives an individual of a benefit of employment or educational opportunity on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
DO:
• Take the situation seriously
• Take a look at the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Take a look at The University's Hate Crime and Bias Related Incident Protocol in the Student Handbook, §1.9 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Separate your personal biases from your professional role
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977-8255 (TALK)
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student
- DON'T -
• Investigate: A good faith sense that this is a problem is enough
• Ignore the situation: Taking no action reinforces the student's already shaky perception that she/he has been wronged. Ignoring the issue can also have legal implications
• Overreact: Listen, support, and guide the student to appropriate channels
Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3065
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Student Experiencing Persistent Unwanted Attention (Stalking)
Students can be stalked or experience persistent unwanted behavior both in and out of relationships by partners, ex-partners, acquaintances, or strangers. This can include:

• Information gathering from friends, internet, professors
• Repeated non-threatening mail, email, pages, and phone calls
• Notes or flowers left on a car
• Observing/following and "coincidentally" showing up wherever the student goes
• Waiting outside class, or next to the student's car
• False reports to authorities, spreading rumors, giving misinformation or secrets to friends, family or professors
• Vandalism or destruction of property, sabotage of schoolwork
• Threatening mail, e-mail, notes, text messages, phone calls, and/or pages (threats direct, implied or symbolic).
• Breaking into car, e-mail, home, etc and leaving evidence

Common reactions you might observe:
• Fear
• Shame, minimization, taking responsibility for the other person's behavior
• Concern for the well-being of the perpetrator ("I want him/her to get help")

DO:
• Tell the student what you notice
• Advise the student to keep records of what is happening if they are not ready to seek other help. This should include keeping screen shots of text messages, phone records, and copies of social media comments, e.g. Facebook postings.
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977-8255 (TALK) and inform the student that confidentiality can only be assured by talking with a counselor and offer to walk the student over to the University Counseling Center to see a counselor
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student which prohibits contact between the students including communication via social media sites
• Contact the Title IX Coordinator: DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3065

DON'T:
• Promise confidentiality
• Dismiss the possibility that this is a problem relationship
• Investigate
• Do nothing. Taking no action implicitly condones a potentially harmful situation
• Overreact
• Moralize about the circumstances

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3065
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards:314-977-7326
Student who is being Bullied
Signs that a student may be the victim of bullying include:
• Unexplained injuries or damage to their belongings
• Has few, if any, friends with whom she/he spends time
• Shows fear in relation to school or school activities
• Has a sudden decline in academic performance
• Has a sudden change in affect or complains of physical ailments
• Appears clingy to faculty and staff
• Appears anxious
• May have frequent absences or a sudden decrease in attendance

DO:
• Take the situation seriously
• Take a look at the University's Harassment Policy in the Student Handbook, §1.8 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Take a look at The University's Hate Crime and Bias Related Incident Protocol in the Student Handbook, §1.9 for information pertaining to University responsibilities
• Separate your personal biases from your professional role
• Listen carefully to the student, and assure the student you understand
• Ask the student if they would like to speak to a counselor at the University Counseling Center and provide them the contact information, 314-977-8255 (TALK)
• Inform the student that informal and formal complaints can be made in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office (DuBourg Hall 36, 314-977-3838) or the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards (Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, 314-977-7326). Know that the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or Student Responsibility and Community Standards can consult with you or the student about the options available in this situation
• Know that the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards can issue a "No Contact Order" to a SLU student

DON'T:
• Investigate: A good faith sense that this is a problem is enough
• Ignore the situation: Taking no action reinforces the student's already shaky perception that she/he has been wronged. Ignoring the issue can also have legal implications
• Overreact: Listen, support, and guide the student to appropriate channels

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX: 314-977-3838
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Title IX Coordinator: 314-977-3065

 

When addressing inappropriate behavior, the Department of Public Safety and the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards are good resources.

The Department of Public Safety is dedicated to providing a safe campus for Saint Louis University students, faculty, staff and visitors. DPS is staffed with well-trained and dedicated officers who patrol the campus twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Contact DPS at 314-977-3000 or e-mail a Voluntary Confidential Report.

The Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards, located in Wuller Hall, 2nd Floor North, is committed to working with students and the community to foster values that reflect the mission of the University. Student Responsibility and Community Standards, under the Division of Student Development, holds students accountable for their behavior through an educational process, seeking to provide opportunities, programming and assistance for students to attain their academic goals. Contact Student Responsibility and Community Standards at 314-977-7326 or conduct@slu.edu.

Topic Areas:
-Student who is Harming Others (Harassing, Threatening, Discriminating)
- Student who is Verbally Aggressive
- Student who is Violent

Student who is Harming Others (Harassing, Threatening, Discriminating)
You may observe a student engaging in harmful behavior which could include harassment, intimidation, or bullying. This is a broad category, and not intended to restrict free speech, or diverse cultural expression. It's intended to ensure equal access to education. Students who are harming others may need clear boundaries, help to change behavior, or removal from the University. Those who bully have a distinctive cognitive and behavioral style. Bullies have friends and average or better self-esteem. Bullies tend to hold the power in their relationships with others. They can be male or female.

You might notice:
• A student call another student a charged epithet
• A student writing a class assignment in which he reveals he has recently driven around town with a gun and intends to kill someone
• A student, tense and fuming, standing over another student with a cocked clenched fist
• Behavior that you would consider mean or intimidating towards another student
• Other behavior that appears to be abusive behavior towards another student

DO:
• Consider telling the student what you see
• Consider asking the student to stop the behavior
• Consider asking the student to leave the classroom
• Assess whether the behavior may constitute harassment, discrimination, or another Code of Conduct violation with the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
• Consider calling DPS at 314-977-3000 for help
• Be aware of the impact of the student's behavior on bystanders

DON'T:
• Get into an argument or shouting match
• Become hostile or punitive yourself, e.g., "You can't talk to me that way!"
• Take this on all by yourself
• Ignore the situation
• Touch the student, as this may be perceived as aggression or otherwise unwanted attention

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Dean of Student: 314-977-9378
Student who is Verbally Aggressive
Students may become verbally abusive when they encounter frustrating situations which they believe are beyond their control. They can displace anger and frustration from those situations onto the nearest target. Explosive outbursts or ongoing belligerent, hostile behavior become this student's way of gaining power and control in an otherwise out-of-control experience. It is important to remember that the student is generally not angry at you personally, but is angry at her/his world and you are the object of pent-up frustrations. This behavior is often associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs.

DO:
• Acknowledge the student's anger and frustration, e.g., "I hear how angry you are."
• Rephrase what the student is saying and identify her/his emotion, e.g., "It appears you are upset because you feel your rights are being violated and nobody will listen."
• Reduce stimulation; invite the student to a quiet place if this is comfortable, however, do not do this if you fear for your safety. In all instances, ensure that a staff or a faculty person is easily accessible to you in the event that the student behavior escalates.
• Be honest and genuine; do not placate aggression
• Consider calling DPS at 314-977-3000 if it appears the situation is escalating and you are fearful

DON'T:
• Get into an argument or shouting match
• Become hostile or punitive yourself, e.g., "You can't talk to me that way!"
• Press for explanations for their behavior
• Ignore the situation
• Touch the student, as this may be perceived as aggression or otherwise unwanted attention

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378

Student who is Violent
Violence because of emotional distress is rare and typically occurs when the student's level of frustration has become so intense, or of such an enduring nature, as to erode all of the student's emotional controls. The adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," best applies here. This behavior may be associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs.

DO:
• Prevent total frustration and helplessness by quickly and calmly acknowledging the intensity of the situation, e.g., "I can see you're really upset and may be tempted to lash out."
• Explain clearly and directly what behaviors are acceptable, e.g., "You certainly have the right to be angry, but breaking things is not OK
• Get necessary help (send a student for other staff, DPS, etc.)
• Stay safe. Have easy access to a door; keep furniture between you and the student. Keep a door open if at all possible/appropriate. As with the verbally aggressive student, make certain that a staff or faculty person is nearby and accessible. In some instances, you may wish to see the student only with another person present

DON'T:
• Ignore warning signs that the person is about to explode, e.g., yelling, screaming, clenched fists, threats
• Threaten or corner student
• Touch the student

Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards: 314-977-7326
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378

Student who witnessed a Disturbing Event
Though a student may not have directly experienced a disturbing event, being a witness can leave bystanders with a host of questions, concerns, and sometimes significant emotional impact.

DO:
• Consider checking in with the student if you are directly aware that they have witnessed a serious event
• Take seriously whatever questions or thoughts are coming up for the student
• Refer for support if the student's functioning is significantly impaired

DON'T:
• Minimize if the student presents this concern ("well, you didn't get hurt")
• Tell a student that they should have been able to completely control the situation
Referrals:
Urgent Assessment
University Counseling Center: 314-977-8255 (TALK)
Dean of Students: 314-977-9378
Student Support and Parent and Family Programs: 314-977-9378

The University encourages students to become active bystanders especially when dealing with a life threatening event. For more information on bystander events and the University's policy regarding bystander intervention, see SLU's Responsible Action Protocol and/or visit the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards page.

Students, faculty and staff may also assist as a bystander by reporting anonymously an event that occurs on campus by utilizing STOP, CALL, REPORT. Call the Department of Public Safety at 314-977-3000 or e-mail a Voluntary Confidential Report.