Care Team

The SU CARE Team is here to help all Redhawks find resources and support for a range of issues and challenges.

  1. Office of the Dean of Students
  2. Care Team
Flowers floating in the Chapel of St. Ignatius Reflection Pool

Faculty, staff, students, and families can request assistance or direct outreach for a student by making an non-urgent online referral. Whether the concern is about health & wellness, accessing basic needs, or ensuring safety, we are here to help.

If you have an immediate concern about a student's safety or the safety of others, please call the Department of Public Safety at 206-296-5911.

Refer a Student to the CARE Team

Seattle University community members often seek support and care from each other. As we do this work, we do so with an ethic of care informed by our Jesuit values such as cura personalis. Care means different things to each of us, depending on our experiences, professional training, and comfort being in a supportive role. When you are working with someone who needs support or asks to talk with you about an issue, we encourage you to consider these guidelines for how we demonstrate this care for others. We have framed these as how we support students, and they are valuable regardless of the identity of the individual you’re speaking to.

We also want to make sure to reiterate that if someone is physically injured, we should refer students to the Student Health Center or to go to urgent care for medical assistance. If someone is disclosing mental health concerns, we want to encourage them to connect with CAPS. If someone discloses concerns that make you concerned about the safety of the individual or others in the community, please contact the Department of Public Safety or 911 immediately.

How we show care

  • Ask to see the student in private, if you feel safe in doing so.
  • Make sure that you meet with the student in an office or conference room, or in a public location on campus. Do not go to a private residence or residence hall room, or an off campus location.
  • Set up the space so that there are not barriers between you and the student, and that you both have easy access to the exit if you needed to leave.
  • If you have other colleagues around you, make sure they are aware that you will be in a meeting.
  • Ask the student if they would like the door to be open or closed. If you would prefer to keep the door open, be clear that that is your practice.
  • Start with transparency and indicate that you might be required to disclose what they share to others (i.e. hazing allegations, sexual misconduct, danger to self or others). – “I want you to be aware that if you share information with me that makes me concerned about your safety, I need to share this with Public Safety so we can make sure you are well.”
  • Set a clear expectation for how much time you are available. If the student needs more time, you can always schedule a follow up time. – “I have about 30 minutes that we can speak right now. I really want to make sure that I can help you, so if we need to find more time later we can.”
  • Listen for understanding, rather than judging what they are sharing.
  • Knowing your own boundaries – know how much you are open to hearing, and making sure to refer students to the right supportive offices. – “I’m not an expert in this area, but I want to make sure that you have a chance to speak with someone who is.”
  • Speak to the student in a straightforward fashion that shows concern for their wellbeing and focuses on observable behaviors. – “I have noticed that you appear tired during class, and that your submissions to Canvas have been shorter.” or “When you are speaking to me here, I have noticed that your breath smells like alcohol, and that you are slurring your words.”
  • Be conscious of non-verbal cues (making eye contact as appropriate, not crossing your arms, and facing towards from the student can all communicate an openness to the conversation)
  • Thank the student for sharing. – “I really appreciate what you shared and that you felt comfortable sharing it with me.”
  • Affirming experiences of the student. – “I can see that this has impacted you.”
  • If you have concerns about what was shared, express your concern in a non-judgmental manner. – “You mentioned that you are not sleeping because of this incident, and that is really concerning to me.”
  • Ask if the student is talking with anyone (friends or family) about the problem, pointing out that isolation is rarely useful when dealing with problems. Listen carefully. – “Who else have you spoken to about this? What has happened in those conversations? How have you found them to be helpful, if at all?”
  • Offer resources and supports (referral to counseling, other support). Let the student know that counseling is accessible, free and confidential. Refer them to Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), the Student Health Center, and TimelyCare.
  • If you identify that you will conduct some follow up (i.e. email the student to connect them to someone, report to another University official, file a CARE report, etc.), do this follow up as promptly as possible and let the student know you did so.
  • Diagnosing the problem (unless you are meeting with someone where your specific role is to diagnose and recommend treatment.) - “I’ve done research on racism, and you’re clearly racist.”
  • Diagnosing any other things that going on for the individual. – “You mentioned that you’re drinking a lot, it sounds like you might have alcoholism.”
  • Taking care of it for the student. – “I’ll just call the President and they’ll handle it for you.”
  • Taking the student somewhere or meeting in their private residence hall room.
  • Avoid physical contact with the student.
  • Giving your own opinions about what happened. - “oh that’s definitely hazing” or “you should file a police report.”

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

The Coordinated Assistance & Resource Education Team (CARE Team) receives and responds to referrals from the campus community about students of concern. CARE Team services and resources include: 

  • connecting students with on- and off-campus resources 
  • consulting with faculty and staff about how to respond to various concerns 
  • facilitating formal and informal outreach and check ins

CARE Team referrals encompass a broad range of concerns, many of which are often independent of any behavioral concern about a student and/or indicate a lower-level concern that does not typically warrant an urgent intervention. Examples of non-behavioral referrals include:

  • the loss of a loved one
  • unusual financial difficulties
  • food or housing insecurity
  • feeling overwhelmed with the transition to college life
  • relationship and family concerns
  • short- or long-term illness or injury
  • challenges getting involved and connected

Other CARE Team referrals involve specific behavioral concerns, such as:

  • thoughts of suicide
  • severe emotional distress
  • disruptive behavior
  • drastic changes in mood, appearance, or behavior
  • threats to the safety of the student or the campus community

If you have information that indicates an immediate safety risk, please call the Department of Public Safety at 206-296-5911.

CARE Team referrals can be submitted by a student, parent/guardian, faculty, staff, administrator, or anyone looking to assist a student or request extra support.

To refer a student for CARE Team outreach, please use the Office of the Dean of Students online referral form below.

Refer a Student to the CARE Team

All CARE Team outreach will be conducted with privacy and sensitivity.  At times, information may need to be shared with campus partners outside the Office of the Dean of Students; however, such information sharing will be done with extreme discretion.

We are here to help students overcome barriers to their success and promote a healthy and safe campus community. Upon receipt of your referral, the Office of the Dean of Students may coordinate outreach to the student to offer support and determine appropriate resources. This support may come in the form of:

  • a wellness check
  • non-academic advising and coaching
  • referrals to on- and/or off-campus resources
  • assistance with access to services
  • consultation with the reporting party to help you support the student

Updates from the Dean of Students

Check back regularly for news and updates.

Meet the Team

We want students and their families to know that you can contact the Office of the Dean of Students about any challenges, concerns, or complaints that arise during your time at Seattle University.

Contact Us

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