Speak to the student in a calm, compassionate manner. Talk to the student in private when there is sufficient time to not feel rushed or pressured. Eliminate distractions and provide your undivided attention. Express concerns clearly, in behavioral terms, and non-judgmentally.
Examples: “I noticed that you haven’t been participating in class like you used to”; “In your assignment you said that you were depressed, and I am concerned”; or “I heard you say that you don’t have enough food at home”
Seek to understand and connect. Invite the student to speak openly.
Examples: “You seem different today, is there something you would like to talk about?”; “Is there something that’s bothering you?”; or “What do you think is preventing you from engaging in class discussions?”
Be as transparent as possible. We all have reporting responsibilities as it relates to certain situations, i.e. sexual violence, and it is important to inform students of any situations that may require a report (find more information about sexual violence and Title IX reporting here: https://deanofstudents.buffalostate.edu/sexual-violence-prevention).
Example: “In my role as your instructor, I am required to report situations which may impact campus safety. I will do what I can to protect your privacy and would be happy to share exactly what I need to report in more detail.”
It is helpful to the CARE team if students know to expect an outreach from the CARE team, so if you’re comfortable, let them know that you will reach out to us.
Example: “There is a team on campus which can provide extra support to students who are dealing with concerns like yours. I would like to connect you with them. This means that you will receive an email or phone call from the CARE team. It doesn’t mean that you are in trouble, and no one else will know about this or be told what’s going on.”
If you submit a report to the CARE team, please indicate if the student is aware of the report, it helps the team when outreaching the student. Refer to additional services on campus, including the CARE Team. Students may be more receptive to referrals if they come from someone they know, so you may want to provide them with information for additional resources on campus, including:
If you submit a CARE report, please inform the CARE team of any referrals you provided to the student, so that they can reinforce your recommendations.
The CARE team is not an emergency response team and only responds to reports during normal business hours, so if you determine that the student needs immediate attention, contact University Police at (716) 878-6333; they are a 24/7 operation. If at any point you are concerned for your safety, or the safety of others, contact University Police.
Once the form is submitted, a report is generated to members of the CARE team, who will investigate the situation and obtain any additional information relevant to the report. Investigations may include a follow up phone call or email to the person making the report. Be aware that you may not be kept apprised of the outcome of an investigation due to confidentiality, but know that we greatly appreciate your assistance in keeping the campus community safe. A member of the CARE team will conduct an outreach to the student to provide them with information and support in linking with resources. Your identity will not be revealed to the student by the CARE team and all possible steps will be taken to provide for anonymity; however, please be aware that students may assume or ascertain who submitted the report. o
The CARE team is not a part of the Student Conduct Process; if you believe a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct, you can file a report here: https://studentconduct.buffalostate.edu/file-report. More information about the CARE team and the reporting process is available at the Dean of Students’ website: https://deanofstudents.buffalostate.edu/care-team.
