Supporting Students (Handbook)

When you consult with UW resources, you will be asked about the student’s behavior. To make consultation most effective, consider the following questions in advance of your call:

What did the student do?
What did the student say?
Who observed these behaviors or witnessed these statements?
What effect does the student’s behavior appear to be having on other students, faculty, or staff?
Have you tried to talk directly with the student and, if so, what outcomes emerged from that conversation?

• Stick to the facts; describe the situation in observable terms and behaviors.
• Remember that any email that mentions or alludes to a student can be seen by a student as part of their educational record. Be selective about using a student’s name.
• Reach out to your program manager and suggest times that you would be available by phone for the program manager to call you.
• Reach out sooner, rather than later. If a situation has escalated to the point that you’re ready to send a student home, it’s difficult if it’s only the first that UWSA is hearing about it. Please raise any yellow flags that you are identifying.

Informing us about something that resolves itself > waiting to inform us until something has already escalated.

Mental Health Checklist for Students

Concerning behaviors: missing class, skipping assignments/asking for extensions, withdrawing from others, concerns shared by roommates/friends, acting more reserved/animated than usual, suicidal ideation or references to feelings of hopelessness.

Ask yourself:

Is this student’s behavior distressingly out of the ordinary?

Is this beyond my skill and comfort levels?

Is the behavior getting worse?

Does the behavior place anyone at (immediate) risk?

Am I feeling as if I want to talk with someone about my observations and concerns?

Steps to take:

1. Ask to talk with the student in a private setting (but not your living quarters). Avoid the phrase “we need to talk.” Use phrases like “I’ve noticed…,” “I wanted to bring up…” or “It seems like…and I wanted to hear your thoughts” instead. Do not put the student immediately on the defensive.
2. Allow the student to speak freely, without interruption. Listen to what they’re saying and what they may not be saying.
3. Tell the student what changes you’d like to see: “How about if we try…” or “my proposed solution would be…”
4. Ask for a response from the student: “What do you think?”
5. Take down notes and send an email to UW Global Travel Health and Safety and your program manager, letting the team know that you’re monitoring a particular student/situation. If you would like UWSA or Global Travel Health and Safety to join follow up conversations with the student, please make that request.
6. Follow up with the student to check-in, based on what was decided in the previous conversations.

Letting us know about a situation that may turn out to be nothing is ALWAYS better than letting us know about a situation only when it’s reached crisis point.

Make a Title IX Report

You may hear about an assault from the student directly or from others on the program who have come to know about an incident.

Remember: you have reporting obligations, but the student is in charge of what happens after an alleged incident of harassment, discrimination, or assault.

Steps to take:

1. Read over and use the following guide document to support you.
2. Ask the student about any physical or immediate needs. Depending on the incident, medical needs could include open wounds, head trauma, or STD, HIV, or pregnancy prevention. Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Exam (SANE) procedure may not be available in every country but should be requested if a student wishes to file a police report or press criminal charges.
3. Keep the student’s confidentiality within the program; do not discuss the assault with other students.
4. As soon as you are made aware of an incident, report the incident to UW Global Travel Health and Safety, including the names of the offending party (specifically if a UW student or employee) and a summary of the situation. Follow the crisis procedure for sexual assault/title IX violations.
5. Be non-judgmental and thank the student for telling you; acknowledge the effort, bravery and trust it took to take that step.
6. Listen to the student; make sure they feel heard and supported. Your priority is their well-being.
7. Ask if they want access to resources or if they want to file a police report. Let them know you are required to  fill out a Civil Rights Compliance Report, which can be done anonymously and does not open an investigation.
8. Note that it may take a bit for the shock to wear off. The student may not request help initially or report the incident much later on. They may express anger, be noticeably reserved, or demonstrate other emotional effects.
9. If the allegation involves other students, employees, program participants or staff, remove and separate the parties immediately. An alleged offending student can be removed from a Study Abroad program without due process, due to the unique nature and safety concerns of students abroad. To initiate this process, reach out to Global Travel Health and Safety.

Note that prohibited conduct can include sexual assault (including unwanted touching), intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual harassment and sex- or gender-based discrimination. 

A student may express being homesick or you may notice them struggling with a particular aspect of their identity on the program. This may not constitute a mental health crisis, but you should support the student through their process.

1. Be non-judgmental and thank the student for sharing their feelings; acknowledge the effort, bravery and trust it took to take that step.
2. Remind students of available resources, including:
   1. International SOS: +1.215.942.8226
   2. Husky Helpline: +1.416.380.6578 (24/7 crisis line)
   3. UW Study Abroad: Navigating Identity
3. Contact your program manager or Global Travel Health and Safety with a summary of the situation and indicate if you need assistance locating local support resources for the student.
4. Keep the student’s confidentiality within the program; do not discuss the situation with other students.