Supporting Students: Guidance for Faculty
Faculty are often the first college employees to notice when a student may be struggling academically, emotionally, or personally. This page provides referral resources, reporting options, intervention guidance, and best practices to help faculty respond appropriately while supporting student success, safety, and well-being.
If you believe a student is experiencing an immediate health or safety emergency, contact 911 or the appropriate campus emergency response personnel immediately.
Quick Faculty Guide: What Do you Need Help With?
Recognizing Students in Need
While faculty are not expected to serve as counselors, faculty members play a critical role in identifying concerns early and connecting students with support services.
Common Signs of Distress
Faculty should consider referring a student when they observe:
- Significant decline in academic performance
- Frequent absences or disengagement
- Noticeable changes in appearance or behavior
- Expressions of hopelessness or overwhelming stress
- Disruptive or concerning classroom behaviors
- Emotional outbursts or difficulty regulating emotions
- Signs of food, housing, transportation, or financial insecurity
- Concerning emails, assignments, or verbal statements
Early intervention often prevents concerns from escalating into crises.
How to Respond to a Student of Concern
Speak with the student privately when appropriate.
Encourage students to connect with appropriate campus resources. Submit referrals when appropriate.
Some situations require formal reporting.
Examples include:
- Safety concerns
- Threats of self-harm
- Harassment or discrimination
- Sexual misconduct disclosures
- Significant behavioral concerns. Follow established college reporting procedures and policies.
Mental Health Emergencies and Crisis Response
Remember, FERPA’s health or safety emergency provision permits such disclosures when the disclosure is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
A mental health emergency occurs when a student poses an immediate danger to themselves, others, or is unable to care for themselves due to severe emotional or psychological distress. The existing Faculty Resources page includes guidance on responding to mental health emergencies and students experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Examples may include:
- Suicidal statements or threats
- Threats toward others
- Severe emotional distress
- Loss of contact with reality
- Self-harm behaviors
- If the threat is emergent activate the police by calling ext. 3205 or 911.
- Be prepared with the number for the Central Coast Hotline (call or text 24/7) and Mobile Crisis Team: (800) 783-0607.
If the student appears to be dangerous to self or others, do not leave the student unattended.
The primary campus resources for responding to mental health emergencies is Student Health Services or the Mobile Crisis Team (Sierra Mental Wellness Group).
- Cuesta Student Health Services: (805) 546-3171, call ahead and walk the student over (SLO Room 3150 and NCC N10130).
- Mobile Crisis Team (Sierra Mental Wellness Group): Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime call: 1-(800) 783-0607. They will respond anywhere in SLO County.
Quick Reference Guide
Recommended Action:
- Listen
- Express concern
- Refer to student support services
Recommended Action:
- Encourage use of counseling and health services
- Follow up when appropriate
Recommended Action:
- Contact emergency resources immediately
- Follow college reporting procedures
Recommended Action:
- Inform student of reporting obligations
- Contact the Title IX Coordinator
Recommended Action:
- Address behavior consistently
- Document incidents
- Seek support when concerns continue
Recommended Action:
- Connect student with support services
Student Support and Resolution Resources
The college maintains processes for student concerns, complaint resolution, and support referrals. Resources currently available through Student Support Resolution and Resources include Academic Complaints, Non-Academic Complaints, Student Discrimination Complaints, Student Accident and Injury Reporting, Student Resources, and Student Support contacts.
Classroom Management Resources
Effective classroom management promotes student engagement, accountability, and a positive learning environment. The current Faculty Resources page includes classroom management articles and resources from Edutopia.
- Five Quick Classroom-Management Tips for Novice Teachers - Edutopia article
- 19 Big and Small Classroom Management Strategies - Edutopia article
- The Dos and Dont's of Classroom Management: Your 25 Best Tips - Edutopia article
Recommended Practices
- Focus on behavior, not personal character
- Remain calm and respectful
- Provide clear boundaries and expectations
- Balance accountability with compassion
Title IX and Other Resources
Faculty play an important role in maintaining an educational environment free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct
- Listen respectfully.
- Avoid promising confidentiality if reporting obligations exist.
- Inform the student of available resources.
- Follow required reporting procedures.
Board Policies
AP 3430 - Prohibition of Harassment
BP 3433 - Prohibition of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
AP 3433 - Prohibition of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
AP 3434 - Responding to Harassment Based on Sex Under Title IX
BP 5530 - Student Complaint Resolution
AP 5530 - Student Complaint Resolution
For more information or to secure support/resources, please contact Student Services at student_services@cuesta.edu.