When should you use the CARE referral?

Care referrals are intended to encourage faculty, staff, students, and others to voluntarily refer a student who may be struggling with academic, personal, or emotional difficulties who may exhibit concerning behavior.

When will your CARE referral be reviewed?

Concerns are reviewed during normal business hours when GVSU is open. If your concern involves an immediate safety risk to self or others, please stop and call 911 immediately.

Who reviews the CARE referral?

Your concern is submitted to the Dean of Students Office, who works in conjunction with other offices, such as University Counseling, Housing & Residence Life, and the Student Academic Success Center, to form GVSU's CARE team. This group responds to non-emergency concerns and takes a proactive approach to discuss potential problems, intervene early, and develop appropriate courses of action for referred students. The goal is to support students who may be in distress, or whose behavior is of concern to others before situations rise to a level of crisis.

What will happen after you submit your CARE referral?

Depending on the circumstances, the Dean of Students Office may reach out to the student being referred. Staff will assist in connecting students with relevant resources across campus and provide outreach and follow-up as needed and when appropriate to promote student success. There may be circumstances where students are not reached out to by a member of the CARE team, but appropriate staff are always made aware of the concerns. Please note that someone from the CARE team will follow up with the reporting party only when additional information is needed.