Caring Community Connections (CCC)

The Caring Community Connections Program provides support to students who are experiencing challenges by identifying and linking them to appropriate resources.

Are you concerned about yourself or someone you know?

 

Resources

Dean of Students Office staff work closely and consistently with many offices across campus to ensure that students are connected appropriately. We encourage you to make your own personal referrals for students, and then follow up that referral with an informational report to let us know your concern.

Íæż½ã½ãPolice Department

Counseling Services

Chaplain and Religious Life

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention

Office of Institutional Access and Equity

Residence Life and Student Housing

Student Conduct and Community Standards

When to Refer a Student

Students may exhibit a variety of indicators of distress. Faculty, staff, students, and parents are encouraged to report behaviors that are concerning.

Academic Indicators

  • Noticeable absence(s) or tardiness
  • Decline in grades and/or quality of work
  • Repeated requests for special consideration or extensions
  • Disruptive classroom behavior, excessively blaming others
  • Excessive procrastination
  • References to self harm or harm to others in verbal/written work
  • Disproportionate response to grades/evaluated work

Physical Indicators

  • Emotional outbursts
  • Excessive weight gain or loss
  • Personal hygiene changes
  • Loss of interest
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Tearfulness
  • Impaired speech
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Noticeable cuts/bruises
  • Frequent illness 

Emotional Indicators

  • Direct statements from student indicating distress
  • Increased dependency on others
  • Inability to get along with others
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Disruptive or unruly behavior
  • Overly anxious or worried
  • Significant change in mood

Other Indicators to Consider

  • Expression of concern from a peer
  • Significant and ongoing financial or legal problems
  • Significant changes in behavior
  • Your own intuition that something is wrong

Why Refer?

There are several reasons to refer a student who appears to be struggling. Your referral may be the first opportunity for a student to connect with someone on campus to discuss a concern and seek structured intervention. The sooner we hear from you, the better able we are to assist a student. Reporting also creates a "culture of care" such that students feel supported by the campus and community and are better able to bounce back. We also receive reports from all over campus, so when we connect your concern to other concerns, we can provide enhanced and holistic support. Lastly, some concerns are required to be reported - faculty and staff must report an instance or allegation of sexual misconduct.

Have a question or need to consult before making a referral? Call the Office of the Dean of Students at 214-768-4564.

What Happens Next?

Once we receive a submission, we usually begin immediately to connect with the student to address your submission. Sometimes, we may follow up with you to obtain more information or to discuss any interventions that have already taken place with the student.

If we receive an informational report, we will keep it on file and do not typically make contact with the student. If it is necessary to reach out a student based on an informational report, we will let you know before beginning outreach.

Student Advocacy and Support staff meet with students when concerns are submitted. These meetings are not punitive and are designed to provide a supportive environment in which to discuss the submitted concern, and to strategize ways to address the reported issues. Students and staff work collaboratively to develop an action plan and appropriate next steps. At times, follow up meetings are scheduled for accountability purposes or for troubleshooting.

We may also follow up with you, the submitter, to let you know that we are working to address your concern or that is has been addressed. With a student's permission, we may share more about next steps.

For Faculty - Notification of Student Issue

Faculty may receive notification from our office when a student has an issue that has significantly impacted them in the classroom (extended absences, missing assignments, low performance). These issues include hospitalizations, a recent death of a family member or friend, or emotional distress, but we will typically leave most details up to the student to discuss with you directly, as needed. Students are aware when we send any notice that faculty have full discretion over any consideration given for their unique situations. They are also told that they will need to meet directly with each of their faculty members to discuss needs and strategize a plan to get back on track.

Frequently Asked Questions