Request Support & Make Referrals

Students may request support or be referred to the SSA team when facing significant concerns related to their well-being, safety, or academic success. Submitting a TC CARES form allows the College to provide a coordinated response for students experiencing academic or emotional challenges, housing or financial insecurity, or circumstances that may impact the safety of themselves or others. This process ensures that the student is connected with the appropriate resources and guidance to navigate their situation.

TC CARES utilizes a case management model to provide students with holistic support as they navigate challenges that may impact their personal or academic goals.

The Referral Process

Once a TC CARES form is submitted during normal business hours, the following steps will occur within 48 hours:

• For Self-Referrals: A team member will reach out via email to schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and connect you with appropriate resources and services.
• For Community Referrals: A team member will assess the information provided to determine if immediate student outreach is required or if more information is needed from the person making the referral. Some cases may be reviewed by the broader CARES Team to determine the best next steps.

Case Management & Support

The referred student will be assigned a Case Manager who will invite them to an initial meeting. While these meetings are generally voluntary unless otherwise mandated, they serve as a space to develop a TC CARES Plan tailored to the student's specific situation.

A TC CARES Plan may include:

• Connecting the student with resources, referrals, and support services.
• Discussing the Leave of Absence process if it is in the student's best interest.
• Ongoing wellness and progress checks to assess if continued support is needed.

Please note: To protect student privacy, information is shared on a need-to-know basis. In many instances, the CARES Team will not be able to provide detailed follow-up information to the original reporting person.

The CARES Team includes representatives from the following departments listed below and meet on a regular basis to communicate, consult, and coordinate regarding students of concern. 

CARES Team Members:

Student Support and Advocacy

Division of Community and Student Affairs

Provost Office

Office of Community Affairs

Office of International Students and Scholars

Graduate Student Life & Development

Public Safety

Registrar’s Office

Office of Residential Services

Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities

*Please note: The CARES Team may also consult with support staff as needed, including but not limited to:  CU Health, Financial Aid, and the Bursar.

Be aware of the following indicators of distress.  Look for groupings, frequency, duration, and severity - not just isolated symptoms. If you notice any of the following, please submit a TC CARES Referral Form.

Academic Indicators

• Sudden decline in quality of work and grades
• Repeated absences
• Disorganized performance
• Multiple requests for extensions
• Overly demanding of faculty’s or staff’s time and attention
• Bizarre content in writings or presentations
• You find yourself providing more personal than academic support

Physical Indicators

• Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., grooming or hygiene deterioration, weight loss/gain)
• Excessive fatigue or sleep disturbance
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol
• Disoriented or “out of it”
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre
• Delusions and paranoia

Psychological Indicators

• Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g., family or financial problems, grief, suicidal thoughts)
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Irritability or unusual apathy
• Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Concern from peers

Safety Risk Indicators

• Unprovoked anger or hostility
• Physical violence (e.g., shoving, grabbing, assault, use of weapons)
• Implying or making direct threat to harm self or others
• Academic assignments dominated by themes of extreme hopelessness, rage, worthlessness, isolation, despair, acting out, suicidal ideations/violent behaviors
• Stalking or harassing
• Communicating threats via email, correspondence, texting, or phone calls

Frequent Examples of Referable Concerning Behaviors

• Unusual or erratic behavior in class, in the residence halls, during advising sessions, etc.
• Extended absence from class or activities by a typically engaged student
• Written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references
• Verbal or written threats made by a student toward other students, faculty, and/or staff
• Written or verbal expressions of suicidal ideation or intent
• Other actions that cause an alarm or call into question the safety of the student or their peers

Additional Resource: Columbia University Blue Folder