Information for Faculty and Staff

Many DePauw University students face challenges during their time on campus. This guide is a resource from the Office of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to assist faculty and staff members as they support students in difficult situations.

What student behaviors should I bring to the attention of others and how?

If you have a concern but do not know where to start, contact the CARE Team at care@depauw.edu or other resource, as listed at the bottom of this document. The CARE Team (Concern, Assessment, Response, Evaluation) provides coordinated assistance to students who are exhibiting concerning behaviors that disrupt their academic and/or social well-being at DePauw. 

The CARE Team consists of staff members from key offices that interact with and support students. This team meets weekly to consult about students of significant concern when issues may extend beyond just classroom performance. The purpose of this group is to share information provided by faculty or staff members during the week in order to determine if any interventions should be made with an individual student. Information shared during this meeting is private and often no action is taken on a single piece of knowledge. Please note, the CARE Team does not verify students absences from class and generally does not provide documentation for students who are absent from class less than three times in a row. If a student will/has miss(ed) three or more classes, the CARE Team can work with them to make sure they are connected to the resources they need and, at the student’s request, send a general email to professors. In all situations, students are expected to communicate with their instructors about making up academic work if they have been ill or need to miss class for any reason.  More information about the class attendance and absence policy can be found here.

Emergencies should be reported to DePauw Police at 765-658-5555 or 911. 

Examples of behaviors to share with the CARE Team could include:

• Change in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn

• Appearing extremely down or depressed

• Significant anxiety or crying in class

• Prolonged physical health issues

• Unusual difficulty transitioning to college

• Potential alcohol or drug abuse

• Consistently sleeping in class

• Missing class excessively or for an extended time

Click here to issue a CARE alert.

Non-Academic Concerns

What if that personal concern involves sexual assault or sexual harassment?

If a student or colleague shares with you that they have been victim of sexual violence or sexual harassment, your first step is to ensure that person is referred to campus and/or local resources. Next, you are legally obligated to report incidents of sexual violence or sexual harassment to the Title IX coordinator or campus law enforcement, unless you are designated a “confidential source” by the University. Confidentiality has a particular legal meaning and only a handful of DePauw employees are designated as confidential including health care providers (medical doctors, licensed counselors) and ordained clergy providing pastoral care. DePauw Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates (SASAs) have limited confidentiality. While you cannot promise confidentiality, you can assure the person disclosing to you that you will respect their privacy. Please inform the student that you are obligated to report the concern to the Title IX Coordinator. Often this is enough to allay their concerns.

If a student shares with you that they have been accused of violating the sexual misconduct policy, they should be connected to a campus advisor. The Office of Student Affairs and the Title IX Office have resource materials and trained staff who can answer many of your questions and provide assistance. The Title IX Office can be reached at 765-658-4155 or by email titleixcoordinator@depauw.edu.

Financial hardships

If students confide in you about difficulty purchasing books, refer them to the Financial Aid Office at 765-658-4030. There is a book purchasing procedure between Financial Aid and Eli’s Books. For difficulties with tuition costs, refer students to the Financial Aid Office to discuss possible loan options or to the Business Office at 765-658-4015 to discuss payment plans. If a student has an emergency expense and needs assistance, refer them to the Office of Student Affairs to inquire about a short-term emergency loan. 

Bias-related incidents

For students seeking support concerning bias-related incidents, please direct them to the Bias Incident Response team or DePauw Police.

Prolonged physical health issues or illness and injury

For illness or injury, students may visit DePauw Health and Wellness. DePauw Health and Wellness is staffed by medical doctors and other medical staff from Hendricks Regional Health. Hours for students can be accessed on their webpage. Please note that DePauw Health and Wellness works like a regular physician’s office and does not take walk-ins and can not always offer same day appointments. If this is an emergency call DePauw Police (765-658-5555) or 911. Additionally, DePauw Health, Counseling Services and the CARE Team do not write notes for students regarding missed classes. Students are expected to communicate with their instructors about making up work if they have been sick. More information about the class attendance and absence policy can be found here.

Emotional challenges/mental health concerns

If a student confides an emotional challenge or mental health concern to you – e.g., depression, anxiety, substance abuse, disordered eating, traumatic experience, grief/loss, elevated stressors, etc. – suggest scheduling an appointment with Counseling Services (765-658-4268).  If you would like to consult with a counselor regarding concern about a student, contact Counseling Services during business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). Please note that Counseling Services cannot confirm their contact or discuss any interactions with a specific student.

Counseling Services offers walk-in/crisis appointments Monday - Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  After-hours (evening, weekend, semester breaks) crisis support for students is available by calling the office number, where students will be transferred to a clinician on-call (through Mantra Health).  In the event of a medical or life-threatening emergency, you should contact DePauw Police or 911 immediately.  Additionally, DePauw Health, Counseling Services and the CARE Team do not write notes for students regarding missed classes. Students are expected to communicate with their instructors about making up work if they have been sick. More information about the class attendance and absence policy can be found here.

I emailed the CARE Team (or another resource) about a student but haven’t seen any improvements

Getting a student connected to campus resources takes time as does seeing visible results in a student who may be seeking additional support (i.e. Counseling Services). Please be patient with the student as they work to get themselves “back on track”. We understand that it is hard to watch a student struggle and as a result jeopardize their academics, but rest assured that the CARE Team is doing everything they can to support the student.

Sometimes students do not want the type of support offered or despite taking the support, continue patterns of destructive behavior. In non-life-threatening situations, it is ultimately the student’s decision. We do our best to inform all students that they should communicate with their professors about what is going on (to a level they are comfortable with) and that they are still subject to the rules laid out in the academic and student handbook along with each class’s individual policies/assignments.

Academic Concerns

Your first point of contact for any academic concerns is the student’s academic advisor. The advisor can collaborate with you on identifying what additional help is needed.

How should I respond when a student is disrupting my class?

Severely troubling or disruptive behaviors

If a student is extremely agitated, screaming, actively making threats of harm to self or others, or engaging in aggressive or dangerous behaviors, do not try to handle the situation on your own and risk harming yourself or others.  Call DePauw Police at 765-658-5555 or call 911 immediately.

For other inappropriate behavior that does not involve physical violence, consult the Classroom Atmosphere Policy in the Academic Handbook. Faculty members should warn the student in writing that the behavior is unacceptable. If the disruption continues, stronger measures may be needed. Consult with Tim Good, Dean of Academic Programs, Assessment and Policies, at 765-658-4486.

Support for understanding content

The Learning Commons (TLC)
TLC offers support in W (writing), S (speaking and listening), and Q (quantitative reasoning). Peer consultants can help with assignments at any stage of the process. Students can sign up using our depauw.myWConline.com and are encouraged to visit early and often.  Located in Roy O. West Library.

STEM Guide Peer Tutoring
Trained students in science and mathematics will serve as peer consultants, T.A.s, or study group leaders for core math and science courses.

Documented and undocumented disabilities, temporary impairments (i.e. concussions, broken bones, surgery)

Student Accessibility Services (studentaccessibility@depauw.edu, 765-658-6267)
SAS assists students seeking accommodations for documented disabilities and can also assist students in exploring the documentation process should they suspect they have a disability. Students needing assistance with temporary impairments can seek temporary impairment accommodations through SAS.

Internships, careers and off-campus study

Hubbard Center
The Hubbard Center Coquillette Peer Consultants (CPCs) help students develop and refine their resumes and cover letters.  They help students become aware of professional opportunities available through the Hubbard Center. They also can answer basic questions about Extended Studies and semester-long off-campus opportunities.

Language assistance for multilingual international students

If you are working with an international student who could use assistance with writing, reading, or speaking in English, contact Lynn Ishikawa or Tamara Stasik in English for Academic Purposes.

Student information changes and questions regarding graduation requirements

Office of the Registrar (Registrarsoffice@depauw.edu, 765-658-4141), Julian Science and Mathematics Center, 1st floor

Important Phone Numbers and Offices