When to Make a Care Referral

  • If you are concerned about the welfare of a student, yourself, or other students
  • If your effort to manage a significant classroom behavioral concern has not resolved the problem
  • If you have referred the student in the past and there seems to be no improvement or things seem to be worsening 
  • If a student requests assistance in dealing with personal issues that are outside of your area of expertise or your role as a faculty or staff member

Care Referrals help students with all needs, including but not limited to the following:

  • isolation from other students/community members
  • low level or no engagement in the classroom
  • unexplained or repeated absences
  • uncharacteristically poor preparation or performance
  • deterioration in quality of work or extreme disorganization
  • disruptive classroom behavior or erratic performance
  • depression
  • suicidal thoughts or emotional disturbances
  • severe anxiety or stress
  • confusion in verbal statements or writing
  • multiple or particularly complex issues that impede a student's well-being or academic success
  • incidents involving any form of bullying or harassment 
  • personal tragedy/crises that impact a student's ability to be successful
  • direct statements indicating distress, emotional troubles, family problems, or loss 

There are several ways to make a Care Referral:

  • If you are unable to submit a report online, you may call the Office of the Dean of Students at 415.422.5330 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays)
  • You may email the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@usfca.edu with the student's information and a brief description of the situation. Emails are responded to during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays)