Husky Assistance and Care Team (ACT)
Husky Assistance and Care Team (ACT) provides individualized student support, assistance, and advocacy through brief case management and a coordinated response to help them navigate the complexities of the university experience in order to achieve their academic and personal goals. Incidents and referrals may be elevated based upon whether or not they represent a threat to the safety and well-being of the student or others.
Husky ACT is a multi-disciplinary team led by the Dean of Students at St. Cloud State University. The core team meets weekly to review and discuss student cases triaged by staff in the Dean of Students Office to identify and implement appropriate actions to provide the support and assistance needed to help the student be successful and achieve their personal and academic goals. Staff in the Dean of Students Office are responsible for triaging incoming referrals, gathering information, consulting with reporting parties, and engaging campus partners with a goal of determining actions and interventions to support student well-being.
The team will also collaborate with the Crisis Care Team (Critical Incident Stress Management) and Bias Incident Response Team to respond to critical incidents on that affect students, staff, and the greater campus community.
This team does not address concerns of harm to others. If those concerns arise, the case will be referred for threat assessment escalation.
Team Membership
The Dean of Students Office is the central repository for concerns related to student health, safety, well-being, and behaviors of concern. The Dean of Students Office is responsible for reviewing and triaging incoming referrals, gathering information, consulting with reporting parties, and engaging campus and community partners with a goal of determining interventions to support student well-being. The Dean of Students Office is supported in this work by the members of Husky ACT who represent staff from several departments across the University with administrative, psychological, academic and legal expertise. The team operates within FERPA/HIPAA requirements.
Weekly meetings with Core Members are convened to review new and ongoing student cases. Monthly Husky ACT meetings include the core team and Husky ACT Liaisons to review trends in student behaviors to help inform campus educational and professional development opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
Core Members
- Dean of Students (Chair)
- Assistant Dean of Students
- Assistant Director of Residential Life
- Director of Counseling and Psychological Services
- Director of Public Safety
- Director of Student Accessibility Services
- Executive Director of Student Success and Advising
In an Emergency
The following are rare instances when a student’s behavior poses a threat of:
- Danger and/or injury to self or others
- Significant disruption of the educational process
- Property destruction
In these cases, prompt action should be taken. Depending on your circumstances and level of concern you might:
- Attempt to calm the student
- Ask the student to leave your class or area
- Dismiss your class and leave the area
- If you perceive an imminent threat or need immediate assistance, call 911 for St. Cloud Police and call 320-308-3333 Public Safety
Identifying Students of Concern
There are many reasons why students may be struggling or in distress. This includes relationship difficulties, financial problems, academic, personal or family issues, academic challenges, stress, depression or health concerns. Students provide a number of clues that they are having difficulty. These clues can consist of:
- Caring less about academic or work performance
- Recent drop in grades, missed tests and assignments
- Repeated class or work tardiness or poor attendance
- Changes in behavior, hygiene or appearance
- Disruptive, agitated or hostile behavior in class, lab or study group
- Inappropriate display of emotions or behavior
- Suicidal talk or behavior
- Changes in appetite or quality of sleep
- Threatening language or behavior toward self or others
- Excess bravado toward authority
- Attempts to control or isolate others
- Emotional or behavioral withdrawal
- Loss of interest in previously important or pleasurable activities
- Expressions of desperation or hopelessness over financial, family, relationship or other personal problems
- Fascination with or a desire to discuss or condone incidents of violence or fascination with weapons
- Expressions of persecution, paranoia or perceived injustices
Responding to and Assisting Students of Concern
We should not assume that students will stop concerning behavior on their own because they may not be aware that it is troubling or know where to seek help or assistance. It is important to respond to incidents or behaviors of concern as they occur. Talking to students can help identify issues sooner and help them cope more effectively. In many cases, your initial expression of concern may be all that is needed to help.
Talking with the student is the first step
- Speak to the student privately (include a colleague if you feel that it is necessary)
- Express your concern; be clear, honest and point out specific behaviors that concern you
- Listen carefully
- Do not offer confidentiality since you may need to share the information with others
- Note how others are affected (if applicable)
- Discuss options or suggest strategies
- Suggest seeing a counselor; offer to help make the call or accompany the student depending on your level of concern
- Set up a time to check back in
- Document your interactions
Guidelines for Responding to Students of Concern
Tips for Faculty and Staff - How to Support Students in Distress
Referring Students of Concern
In the event of an emergency, dial 911.
Division of Student Affairs
320-308-3111 / Atwood 110The primary referral source for students of concern. Consultation may result in a referral to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). BIT identifies disruptive, problematic or concerning behavior and determines the best mechanisms for support, intervention, warning/ notification and response. The team identifies the next steps, deploys the resources needed and coordinates follow-up. Email reports are welcome and should be sent to sld@stcloudstate.edu.
Counseling and Psychological Services
320-308-3171 / Eastman Hall 305Counselors are available for consultation and, if warranted, crisis appointments. A clinical case manager can assist struggling students who may need referrals within campus or in the community.
Public Safety
320-308-3333 / Public Safety CenterMaintains a 24/7 operation working to provide the safest environment possible by addressing safety, security or medical requests for assistance. They can assist with concerns about students after hours.
Residential Life
320-308-2166 / Hill HallProvides a student-centered living and learning environment. Staff are trained to respond to various situations and can be an excellent resource when dealing with residential students.
Medical Clinic
320-308-3191 / Eastman HallAn accredited medical clinic staffed by licensed medical doctors and nurse practitioners that provides a full range of medical care for currently enrolled students.
Center for Health and Wellness Innovation
Eastman HallThe Center for Health and Wellness Innovation serves the whole student – from academic success to mental and physical well-being. Housed in the newly renovated Eastman Hall, the Center includes student services alongside academic spaces to increase accessibility and reduce barriers to student health and well-being. Click on the link above to review the variety of resources available to assist students, faculty and staff in Eastman.
Privacy Considerations
For faculty and staff, the Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines allow information about students to be shared when you are concerned about a student’s health or safety. While counselors and medical personnel have more restrictive limits about when they can share information, they are always able to accept information from you.
Referral Form for Student Support
As members of the Husky Community we support our students as whole people and sometimes that means helping them get connected to receive some additional help. Faculty and staff are encouraged to use this form to refer students to the Husky ACT team for help connecting to resources. You can use this form to refer students of concern for a variety of reasons, including (and not limited to):
- Emotional distress
- Grief and loss
- Concerning Behaviors