At the University of Tampa, we care deeply about our students' well-being. As members of the Vlogٷ community, faculty and staff play a crucial role in supporting our students' overall success. This guide is designed to help faculty and staff recognize, respond to and refer students who may be dealing with academic, personal or emotional challenges with compassion and support.
Immediate Assistance
Is the student’s behavior clearly reckless or dangerousand/or is the student at immediate risk of harming selfor others?
IF YES:
Student is On Campus
Student is Off Campus
Is the student’s behavior clearly reckless or dangerous and/or is the student at immediate risk of harming self or others?
IF NO:
- Repeated absences and/or decline in quality of work
- Unusual or concerning content in coursework or communications
- Continual requests for assignment extensions or course adjustments
- Behavior that interferes with classroom, group work, or activity engagement
- Increased need for support that is more personal than academic
- Evidence of intoxication or impairment
- Consistently hungover
- Dramatic increase/decrease in energy level
- Excessive sleepiness or reported sleep disturbances
- Noticeable changes in physical appearance or hygiene
- Seeming disoriented or confused
- Noticeable changes in behavioral patterns or habits
- Self-disclosure of distress related to family, relationships, mental state, or finances
- Strained interpersonal relationships, isolating behaviors, lack of sense of belonging, or decreasing self-image
- Expressions of extreme hopelessness
- Disproportionate emotional response to events, such as exaggerated anger, sadness, or flat affect
- Disregarding clearly established boundaries
- Displays of paranoia, delusional thinking, or hallucinations
- Expressions of concern about the student by peers
- Noticeable physical injuries, such as bruises, cutting marks on arms or legs, or burns
- Verbal, written, or implied references to suicide, homicide, assault, or self-injury
- Unprovoked anger, hostility, or physical violence
- Stalking, closely tracking others, following others, or harassing behavior
- Preoccupation with violence, death, self-harm, and/or weapons in coursework or communications
- Frightening and/or disruptive behaviors
- Feeling overwhelmed is a common reaction and means you care
- Take three deep breaths and invite the student to join you
- Speak calmly with moderate pace and volume
- Offer the student water and get some for yourself too
- Be direct
- Stick to the facts
- Don’t make assumptions
- Describe the changes you have noticed
- Ask them if they are okay
- Listen to understand, not to respond
- Allow space for silence
- Be present, patient, and listen to them
- Demonstrate empathy for what they are going through
- Let them know they are not alone, and you are there for them
- Provide them a space to be heard and don’t make assumptions about them
- Be curious - ask them questions
- Describe changes you have noticed
- Determine the need and resources
- Reaffirm your support and care
- Connect them to resources
- Encourage the student to check back in if needed
- Follow up to see if they need additional support
INFORM YOUR SUPERVISOR
Alert your supervisor/chair/dean about your interaction. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about a student of concern with those who have a legitimate educational interest or a need to know.
COMPLY WITH MANDATORYREPORTING
If a student discloses an incident of misconduct, you must submit a .
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Reflect on your own boundaries, self-care, and support needs. Seek support from colleagues, supervisors, and department heads. Utilize the or the.
Mandatory Reporting
If you believe that the student may disclose misconduct, including harassment, sex discrimination, stalking, dating or domestic violence, and/or assault, inform them that you are not a confidential resource and will be required to submit a .
The student’s behavior is clearly reckless ordangerous and/or the student is at immediate risk ofharming self or others.
WHAT TO DO:
If the student is on campus
CALL CAMPUS SAFETY AT
(813) 257-7777
OR
If the student is off campus
CALL 911
Follow-up by submitting a
The student shows signs of distress, but it is notclear how serious it is. I feel uneasy and/or reallyconcerned about the student’s behavior.
WHAT TO DO:
CALL COUNSELING SERVICES AT
(813) 257-4114
if between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Let them know you have a student who needs to
speak to someone and/or you need assistance in
determining next steps.
OR
CALL THE 24/7 SUPPORT LINE AT
(833) 755-0484
Follow-up by submitting a
I am not concerned for anyone’s immediate safety, but the student could use some support.
WHAT TO DO:
View the
WHERE TO REFER A STUDENT
information included on the page below for additional
support.
Encourage the student to set up an appointment or
assist them in doing so.
Where to Refer Students
Resources based on students' disclosed concerns.
| Student's Disclosed Concern | Where to Refer |
| Victim of sexual misconduct (e.g. sexual harassment, sex discrimination, stalking, dating or domestic violence, and/or sexual assault) | You must submit a online or by email at titleix@ut.edu and refer the student to Victim Advocacy at (813) 257-3900 |
| Victim of a crime or bias-related incident | Submit a |
| Death of a family member or close friend | Submit a |
| Student's Disclosed Concern | Where to Refer |
| Mental health concern |
|
| Physical health concern |
|
| Feeling anxious, lonely, orstressed |
|
| Student Code of Conduct violation |
|
| Generally concerning behavior |
|
| Student's Disclosed Concern | Where to Refer |
| Wanting to get involved andconnect with peers |
|
| Financial assistance or help withbasic needs |
|
| Roommate conflict in on-campushousing |
|
| Need for disability-related accommodations or concerns about existing accommodations |
|
| Veteran or military-affiliated support |
|
| Need for religious accommodation |
|
| Student's Disclosed Concern | Where to Refer |
| Grading issue or professorconcern |
|
| Needs academic support and/or repeatedly misses classes |
|
Download a PDF version of the Red Folder: Referring Students to Support Resources.
