Division of Campus Life
Student Support Services

For Faculty & Staff

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For Faculty & Staff

Tools and strategies for supporting students, consulting on concerns, and connecting with campus resources.

While much of our work focuses on direct student support, Student Support Services also provides outreach and education to faculty and staff on how to assist students in distress.

We recognize that faculty and staff are often among the first to notice when a student may be struggling. Whether you're responding to a student in distress, unsure how to approach a conversation, or seeking consultation about a complex situation, we're here to help.

Student Support Services deans offer individualized, non-clinical support for students facing a wide range of issues—from health-related concerns to academic pressures and personal crises. We serve as a central point of contact for members of the Brown community who are concerned about a student’s well-being and are looking to connect them with the appropriate resources.

Concerned About a Student? Submit a Care Referral

If you are concerned about a student’s health, safety, or general well-being, we encourage you to submit a Care Referral. This allows our team to follow up, assess needs, and coordinate support in a timely and thoughtful manner.

The Care Referral is a secure, non-emergency tool for faculty and staff to share concerns about a student who may need additional support. Submitting a Care Referral helps ensure that students facing complex or challenging situations are connected with the deans in Student Support Services (SSS), who can provide individualized, non-clinical, non-confidential support, and connect students with appropriate resources in a timely and coordinated way. 

Please note: The Care Referral is not intended for emergency situations or for self-referral by students.

Submit a Care Referral

When to Submit a Care Referral

You may consider submitting a Care Referral if you are aware of a student who is:

  • Experiencing a personal or family crisis
  • Facing health or mental health challenges
  • Displaying signs of distress or disengagement
  • Navigating multiple or compounding stressors
  • In need of outreach or additional support to stay connected at Brown

If you’re unsure whether to submit a referral, we encourage you to contact our office directly for consultation.

What to Expect When Referring a Student

If a student, faculty member, or staff member is concerned about a student who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors, they are encouraged to submit a referral to Student Support Services by calling 401-863-3145 or completing an online referral form. 

Calls are answered by a member of the Student Support Services team during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. After hours, on weekends, and on holidays, you may leave a message for non-emergency needs.  

Online referrals are reviewed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Online referral forms are generally responded to within one business day. 

If a student is in distress where you have safety concerns, please call DPS at 401-863-4111.

 

Step 1: Submit a Referral

Provide as much information as possible, including your name, phone number, and connection to the student of concern (i.e., parent, friend, professor).

You will be asked to identify the student of concern by providing their name, Brown email address, Brown student ID number, and other important information.

You will be asked to explain your concerns about the student.  Please feel free to share as much information as you see fit. Every bit of information helps the SSS team better connect with the student. We may reach out and ask additional questions about the student or the situation. 

If you have received any concerning messages (emails, texts, GroupMe) from the student, you may be asked to share those with the SSS via email. 

 

Step 2: The SSS Team will triage the situation

Our SSS Team will triage the situation and, in most cases, reach out to the student within one (1) business day. You are welcome to request notification when initial outreach with the student has been completed. 

In many instances, the SSS team will open a case for the student and provide direct support to help the student navigate their situation. In some instances, we may contact the referrer and provide you with resources to offer the student. We will discuss the next steps with you and outline what to do if the situation does not improve.

Once we meet with a student, we will be limited in our ability to share information with you due to the need to preserve student privacy and comply with federal laws.

Contact Us

Student Support Services deans are also available for consultation and collaboration with faculty and staff. If you're unsure how to proceed or would like to discuss a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

In Case of Emergency

If the situation involves an immediate safety concern or urgent need, please do not use the Care Referral. Instead, contact:

  • Brown Department of Public Safety (DPS): 401-863-4111
  • Brown Emergency Medical Services (EMS): 401-863-4111
  • Administrator on Call (AOC): 401-863-4111 (available 24/7)

Additional support resources are available on our Emergency Contacts and Resources pages.