Dear Colleagues,
As faculty and staff at UW-Madison, we are partners in helping our students thrive on campus. While we say it often, it’s true: This semester is like no other, and with the upcoming cold weather and recent time change, in addition to stress from COVID-19, the current political climate, or racial injustice and unrest, we know some of our students are struggling.
You play a firsthand and positive role in helping students get the assistance they need. Below are resources to empower you in your efforts to support our students:
—Guides, resources, and information for UW–Madison faculty and staff help support students experiencing issues including academic and non-academic misconduct, how to talk to students you are concerned about, addressing disruptive behavior, and verbal de-escalation. *Bookmark this page: https://doso.students.wisc.edu/facultystaff-resources/
University Health Services (UHS) also offers a resource for faculty and staff.
—If you’re worried about a student or witness an observable change of behavior, act with concern. Steps you can take may include inviting the student to have a conversation regarding your concern or contacting the Dean of Students Office. If you’re worried about a student, you’re encouraged to fill out the Student of Concern Report Form. If you are concerned about a student and want to speak with a mental health professional about your concerns, Mental Health Services (MHS) is available for consultation to faculty and staff. You can call MHS during business hours and ask to speak to an available provider.
If you believe a student is experiencing a mental health crisis and is in need of immediate assistance, or this is an emergency, please call the UW-Madison Police Department at 608-264-2677, UHS 24/7 Crisis Line at 608-265-5600 (option 9), or dial 911.
—Speak up if you observe bias incidents or demeaning behavior and do something about it. If you become aware of or experience any incident that compromises the values of our community, please seek assistance from campus resources such as the Dean of Students Office and always report bias incidents when they occur.
— Mental health support is available if a student shares they are struggling or shows signs of concern, please refer them to University Health Services (UHS) Mental Health Services at www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health or the 24-hour crisis services. Also, UHS offers the Healthy Academics Instructional Toolkit with evidence-based strategies and resources for faculty and staff to promote student well-being.
— Academic and nonacademic misconduct can occur inside and outside of the classroom. Resources through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) will help you navigate the conduct process. When classroom behavior disrupts other students’ abilities to learn, a nonacademic misconduct process will begin through the OSCCS.
— Help prevent sexual violence. UW-Madison is committed to providing an environment that is free of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence in any form. We encourage you to learn more about campus services and strategies to prevent sexual violence and your responsibilities to report/resources to report.
— In an emergency, or if you have an immediate concern, call the UW-Madison Police Department or 911.
REMINDER:
— To support virtual learning, remind students about the directory of on-campus spaces and other campus spaces, including libraries, Memorial Union and Union South, available to students for general studying purposes, printing and computer lab access, and passing time between classes.
— Find resources and guidelines to support instruction and alternative modes of course delivery during COVID-19 and other types of disruptions on the Instructional Continuity website.
If you have a question or are seeking consultation, connect with the Dean of Students Office. Call 608-263-5700 during office hours, request a drop-in appointment, or send an email to dean@studentlife.wisc.edu. If your question or concerns are related to mental health, call Mental Health Services at 608-265-5600.
Let’s continue to work together to support our students. Thank you for all you do.
Christina Olstad, Ed.D.
Dean of Students
She/Her/Hers
Sarah Nolan, PhD
Director, UHS Mental Health Services
She/Her/Hers