STUDENT & FAMILY

CARE

Assistant Vice President for Care/Dean of StudentsT 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, contact Rollins Campus Safety at 407-646-2999 or the Winter Park Police Department at 911.

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.

• You may also choose to deal directly with the behavior/problem.• Or address the situation on a personal level.

DISTRESSED STUDENTS

A disruptive student may seem severely troubled or exhibit behaviors that signify an obvious crisis that necessitates emergency care.

Question: What are warning signs of disruptive student behavior?Answer: Disruptive students exhibit behaviors that signify an obvious 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 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.

• 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.

DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS

HOW DO I MAKE A REFERRAL?

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. Sudents 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 off-campus locations. For more details, please visit rollins.edu/TitleIX.

Victim Advocates in the Wellness Center: These victim advocates are counselors in the Wellness Center and are on call for emergency situations. To speak with a Victim Advocate, call 407-628-6340 (during office hours), or after office hours call Campus Safety at 407-646-2999.

Victim Advocates at the Victim Service Center (VSC) of Central Florida: 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).

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, contact 407-628-6340.

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 SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) that occurs in a private facility which offers a calming home-like environment. A victim advocate is available to accompany the victim during the exam, and all information provided to the advocate is confidential. Services can be received regardless of whether a victim reports the crime to law enforcement. To speak to a victim advocate, call 407-497-6701.

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 RequiredConcern 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 CoordinatorAfter hours: Campus Safety

407.691.1773407.646.2999

Resources for Other Circumstances Surrounding Distressed StudentsConcern(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, leave of absences, return from leaves

Assistant Vice President for Care/ Dean of Students

407.646.2345

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

Dean of Arts & SciencesDean of College & Professional StudiesDean of Holt SchoolDean of Crummer

407.646.2280407.646.2175407.646.2232407.646.2249

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

JANUARY 2016