Care Team
At Saint Xavier University, we understand that students may face challenging, and oftentimes personal, situations throughout their time here. In the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, we strive to embody the spirit of compassion by creating a community of caring individuals who look out for and take care of one another. Through the Care Team, SXU offers a centralized location to collect information, assess concerns and provide resources to support our students during their time of need.
What is the Care Team?
The Saint Xavier University Care Team is a cross-divisional team that meets biweekly to review student cases related to social, mental health, physical, financial, behavioral and/or a combination of these issues. Once a referral is received, the Care Team works to identify interventions in the best interest of the University and the individual. Through collaboration and coordination of resources, the Care Team fosters academic and personal success for students. Membership on the Care Team includes staff from the following areas: Academic Affairs, Advising, Athletics, Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Financial Aid, Health Center, Center for Learning and Student Support, Public Safety, Residence Life and University Ministry.
Our Mission
The mission of the Care Team is to provide a proactive and compassionate team approach to offer help and support to students who may be in distress, who may be at risk or who may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of the University community.
Referrals
Care Team referrals and online forms are reviewed daily (Monday-Friday). Care Team staff will investigate the issue, make a referral to the most appropriate office(s) and/or determine if interventions and/or resources are needed. The Care Team will follow up with the individual initiating the report to gather additional information if necessary. If an emergency, imminent threat or serious incident takes place overnight or over the weekend, please contact SXU Public Safety at 773-298-3911.
Please Note: In most situations the Care Team may not be able to provide detailed follow-up information to the reporting person. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis.
See Something
You may be the first person to see something distressing in your students because you have frequent and prolonged contact with them. SXU encourages faculty and staff to respond compassionately to students who may feel alone, isolated or even hopeless when faced with academic, social or other life challenges.
Say Something
Trust your instincts and say something whenever a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed or threatened. Reporting your concern may be the critical factor in helping this student.
Reporting Steps
Students can be referred to the Care Team through the following ways:
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Is the student's behavior an immediate threat to self or others?
- Is the student aggressive or disruptive?
- Does the student appear intoxicated or under the influence of a substance?
- Is the student injured or ill?
- Submit a Care Team Report through the online form. (Allow 1-2 business days for a response.)
- Speak with a CARE Team member by calling the Dean of Students Office at 773-298-3121.
Helpful Information to Have When Making a Report
When you have a concern for a student's health or well-being, please submit a Care Team Report. All information shared with a member of the Care Team is kept confidential. Below is a list of information that is helpful to have ready when communicating your concern to the Care Team:
- Date, time and location of incident(s)
- Name, age and relationship to the person of concern and of victim/target
- Description of behaviors of concern/acts committed
- Names of witnesses
- Related documentation (electronic communications including email, text or online messages; voicemails; photos; videos; etc.)
FAQS
Types of Concerns
- Academic concern
- Concerning behavior
- Extended or excessive absence
- Family issues
- Financial concern
- Medical concern
- Personal issues
- Psychological concern
- Relationship issues
- Social/Developmental concerns
- Substance issues (alcohol/drugs)
- Other
Specific Behaviors
- A conversation that indications a level of distress in the student
- Bizarre/disjointed thoughts
- Death of a loved one
- Depressed/persistent sadness/unexplained crying
- Display or use of a weapon
- Disruptive classroom behavior
- Disturbing written material/class discussion
- Domestic violence
- Drugs or alcohol use
- Excessive anxiety
- Extreme mood swings
- Food insecure/housing concern
- Health concern
- Inappropriate display of anger/negative emotions
- Intimidation
- Medical issue
- Mental health concern
- Personal Issue
- Physical attack
- Recent traumatic event
- Self-Injurious Behaviors
- Serious illness of a loved one
- Sexual Misconduct
- Significant change in appearance/behavior
- Stalking/cyber-stalking
- Suicidal ideation
- Unusual behavior
- Unusual/changed eating behaviors
- Any other issue that causes you concern (please specify)
- A response in 1-2 business days*
- Consultation with appropriate University staff
- Knowledge that your concern will be brought to appropriate members of the team and a plan for follow-up will be created
Please Note: In most situations the Care Team may not be able to provide detailed follow-up information to the reporting person. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis.
If there is an immediate threat to a student (either through self-harm or interpersonal violence) or the community, please call Public Safety at 773-298-3911 or call 911. If you believe a student is in emotional distress, you may call the Counseling Center at 773-298-3131.