Student and Family Care

STUDENT & FAMILY

CARE

Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of Students T 407.646.2345 • care@rollins.edu

College students encounter a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experience. While most students successfully cope with challenges that may arise, an increasing number of students find academic and social transitions difficult. The following is a guide developed to aid families in assisting students that are experiencing difficulties. It is important to note that the information in the guide may not address every situation one may encounter with a student.

With that in mind, in the event you believe there is a risk of violent behavior or that a student may be in danger, contact Rollins Campus Safety at 407-646-2999 or the Winter Park Police Department at 911.

DISTRESSED STUDENTS A student in distress may exhibit behaviors, which suggests that something is wrong, show signs of emotional distress, and indicate that assistance is needed.

Question: What are some signs a student may be in distress?

Answer: A student may not be disruptive to others, but may exhibit behaviors which suggests that something is wrong, show signs of emotional distress, and indicate that assistance is needed. They may also be reluctant or unable to acknowledge a need for personal help.

Behaviors may include: • Change in academic performance (such as a change in grades or sudden unaccountability and poor performance).

• Excessive absences, especially if the student has previously demonstrated consistent attendance.

• Unusual or markedly changed patterns of interaction (e.g. avoidance of participation, excessive anxiety, domination of discussion, dependency-excessive appointments).

• Trouble managing stress successfully.

• Signs of depression (lethargic mood and lack of energy).

• Attention issues or rapid speech.

• Marked change in personal dress and hygiene.

• Expressed uncertainty about emotional stability, family issues or relationship problems.

• Appearing uncomfortable or highly emotional.

• Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses, or high levels of irritability.

• Repeated requests for special considerations.

• New or repeated behavior which pushes the limits of decorum and which interferes with effective management of the immediate environment (e.g. aggressive or abrasive behavior).

Question: How should I respond to a distressed student?

Answer: For students that are mildly or moderately distressed, contact the Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of Students office, 407-646-2345. If in doubt, contact Campus Safety at 407-646-2999.

DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS A disruptive student may seem severely troubled or exhibit behaviors that signify a crisis that necessitates emergency care.

Question: What are warning signs of disruptive student behavior?

Answer: Disruptive students exhibit behaviors that signify a crisis and that necessitate emergency care.

Behaviors may include: • • • • •

Highly disruptive behaviors (e.g. hostility, aggression, violence, etc.).

Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech, unconnected, disjointed thoughts).

Stalking or obsessive behaviors.

Threats to harm others.

Loss of contact with reality (seeing or hearing things which others cannot see or hear; beliefs or actions that are greatly at odds with reality or probability).

• Inappropriate communication (including threatening letters, email messages, social media, harassment).

• Suicidal thoughts (including referring to suicide as a current option in a written assignment).

Question: How should I respond to a disruptive student?

Answer: Remain calm and call for help if necessary.

• Find someone to stay with the student while calls to appropriate resources are made (see referral section).

• When a student expresses a direct threat to themselves or others, or acts in bizarre, highly irrational or disruptive way, call CAMPUS SAFETY at 407-646-2999 or 911.

HOW DO I MAKE A REFERRAL?

• Recommend various types of campus support services to the student (Wellness, Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of Students, Campus Safety, etc. See resource list on back cover).

• Determine the student’s willingness to go to a helping resource. Reassure the student that it is an act of strength to ask for help. Remind them that wellness mental health counseling is free and confidential. Offer to make the initial contact with the helping resource.

• In such situations, contact the Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of Students.

DISCLOSURES Question: How do I respond to a student who discloses sexual assault or violence?

Answer: You may be the first or only person with whom the student shares their experience. The way you respond can set the tone for the rest of the student's recovery process. It is important to: • Bear Witness: Sit with the student in his or her pain and resist the urge to say or do something to fix the situation.

• Express Empathy and Compassion: Express your feelings of empathy without contributing to feelings of victimization. Say “I feel sad to hear you were treated so badly” instead of, “I feel so sorry for you.”

• Avoid Offering Advice: Even if you have survived sexual violence yourself, offering unsolicited advice might disempower the student. It could lead the student to believe you don’t believe in his/her capacity to make decisions for him or herself. If asked for advice, make it clear that your advice is simply from your perspective and not a suggestion on how they should act. For example, say “In that situation, I might…” not “You should…”

• Believe the Story: Asking probing questions may come across as doubting the story. The student needs you to listen to and accept their experience without question or doubt.

• Do Not Make Assumptions: Even if you are a survivor yourself, each person’s story and personal experience is unique.

• Listen Patiently: Give the student your full attention and continuously check your own reactions to what they share. Being comfortable in silence, and letting the student know this, is important.

Avoid pressuring the person to verbalize their experience simply because you are ready to listen.

• Listen Carefully and Holistically: Pay careful attention to the student’s body language and to your own during the verbal disclosure. Being heard and understood can be an empowering experience and facilitate the beginning of a transformative process. Remember that the person has many other aspects of him or herself apart from the trauma. After showing your support, ask about his or her life apart from the trauma.

• Self-Care: Working with people who experience trauma can be emotionally draining. Take some time to plan ahead how you will take care of your own needs and be prepared to inquire about the student’s support system and self-care practices.

• Refer: Refer the student to professional support services such as a mental health counselor and/ or a doctor, hospital, or local victim service center if they are in need of medical treatment.

• Follow Up: Continue to show your support by following up with the student.

HELPFUL RESOURCES Rollins is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, and respectful environment in which the Rollins community can work together in an atmosphere free of discrimination.

Sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination. The Office of the Title IX Coordinator leads Rollins’ efforts to prevent and respond to sex and gender-based discrimination. Any member of the Rollins community who is affected by sexual misconduct or violence is encouraged to immediately notify law enforcement and/or seek immediate medical attention. All individuals are encouraged to make a prompt report to the College so that the College can take appropriate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects. Confidential support and assistance is also available on and off campus. To help create and maintain a safe community, all employees (which includes faculty, staff, RAs, and peer mentors) are required to elevate information regarding sexual misconduct and harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. Students may talk with a confidential resource without triggering a report to the College. Confidential assistance is available to students in a variety of on and offcampus locations. For more details, please visit rollins.edu/TitleIX. Rollins Wellness Center: Students have the opportunity for one-on-one and group counseling for mental

health concerns, to seek medical attention, Plan B, STD/STI testing or seek answers to their questions or concerns by visiting the Wellness Center (118 W. Fairbanks Ave.). Confidentiality laws protect the conversations individuals have with a counselor or with medical staff in the course of care or treatment. Counseling services are provided free of charge. Counselors are available to meet with students by appointment or almost immediately in crisis situations. To speak to the Wellness Center, call 407-628-6340.

After normal business hours, counselors are available on-call for emergency situations. To reach the on-call counselor after hours, call Campus Safety at 407-646-2999 and ask for the “On-Call CAPS Counselor”. You do not need to disclose your name or the reason you want to reach the counselor to the Campus Safety operator. Once you request this, they will transfer your call.

Victim Service Center of Central Florida: Services include providing immediate support and advocacy

to both reporting and non-reporting victims of sexual assault. Services can include forensic evidence collection by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) that occurs in a private facility which offers a calming home-like environment. A victim advocate is available to accompany individuals during the exam, and all information provided to the advocate is confidential. Services can be received regardless of whether the crime is reported to law enforcement. To speak to a victim advocate, call 407-497-6701.

Victim Advocacy: The VSC operates a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week sexual assault hotline. The hotline is for anyone seeking immediate telephone crisis intervention services or information on sexual assault. The hotline is operated by certified sexual assault counselors. Certified sexual assault counselors are trained to provide immediate crisis intervention and ongoing support. To speak with a certified sexual assault counselor, call 407-497-6701 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

REFERRAL LIST FOR A DISRUPTIVE/DISTRESSED STUDENT(S) Concern

Contact

Phone

Emergency/immediate concern

911 or Campus Safety

911/407.646.2999

Disruptive/distressed student concern

Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of Students

407.646.2345

When Immediate Attention is Required Concern

Contact

Phone

Suicidal or homicidal threats

Campus Safety

407.646.2999

Medical emergency

911 or Campus Safety

911/407.646.2999

Violence or stalking

Campus Safety

407.646.2999

Sexual assault

Title IX Coordinator After hours: Campus Safety

407.691.1773 407.646.2999

Resources for Other Circumstances Surrounding Distressed Students Concern(s)

Contact

Phone

Disability (physical, learning)

Disability Services

407.975.6463

Depression/anxiety, signs of alcohol and/or drug use, relationship problems, test anxiety, stress management, adjustment issues, suspected eating disorders/body image issues

Wellness Center

407.628.6340

Medical issues/chronic illness/health/wellness

Wellness Center/Health Services

407.628.6340

Death of student, general student concerns, transition issues, leaves of absence, return from leaves

Assistant Vice President for Care/ Dean of Students and Student & Family Care

407.646.2345

Academic issues (warnings, probation), advising, Academic Honor Code Violations

Dean of The Faculty Dean of Holt School Dean of Crummer

407.646.2175 407.646.2232 407.646.2249

Sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct

Title IX Coordinator

407.691.1773

International student issues and concerns

International Student & Scholar Services

407.691.1158

Study Abroad issues and concerns

International Programs

407.646.2466

Housing and roommate issues

Residential Life & Explorations

407.646.2649

Student conduct issues

Community Standards & Responsibility

407.691.1337 FALL 2016