Students of Concern
Students of Concern helps connect Texas Tech students with support when academic, personal, health or behavioral concerns may be affecting their wellbeing or ability to succeed. Anyone who is concerned about a Texas Tech student can submit a report to the Office of the Dean of Students.
You do not need to determine what is causing the problem or know which university office should respond. Share the information you have, and the Dean of Students can help determine the appropriate next step and connect the student with campus or community resources.
Submit a Student of Concern Report
Who Is a Student of Concern?
A Student of Concern is a student whose academic performance, behavior, health, personal circumstances or wellbeing may indicate that additional support is needed. Concerns can range from a difficult personal situation to significant distress or behavior that raises questions about the student's safety or wellbeing.
Submitting a report does not mean that a student has done something wrong. The purpose of the Students of Concern process is to identify students who may benefit from outreach and connect them with appropriate resources.
When to Submit a Report
You may submit a Student of Concern report whenever you are worried about a Texas Tech student and believe additional support may be helpful. You do not need to wait until a situation becomes severe.
Personal & Health Concerns
- Injury or serious illness
- Student hospitalization
- Student or family crisis
- Alcohol or substance concerns
- Significant personal difficulties
Emotional Distress
- Student appears to be in significant distress
- Extreme or sudden changes in behavior
- Statements of hopelessness or despair
- Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts
- Other significant mental health concerns
Behavioral Concerns
- Classroom or other behavioral issues
- Threatening behavior
- Significant changes in interactions with others
- Behavior that causes concern for the student or campus community
Other Serious Circumstances
- Emergency detention
- Student death
- Concern involving possible weapons
- Multiple concerns affecting the student at the same time
- A situation where you are unsure what type of help is appropriate
Not Sure if You Should Report?
If you are concerned about a student but are unsure whether the situation belongs with Students of Concern, you can still submit a report. Provide the information you have so the appropriate university response can be determined.
What Happens After You Report?
Student of Concern reports help the Office of the Dean of Students identify students who may need assistance and connect them with appropriate resources. The response may vary depending on the information provided and the student's circumstances.
A Concern Is Submitted
Someone shares information about a Texas Tech student through the Student of Concern reporting form.
The Concern Is Reviewed
The Office of the Dean of Students reviews the information and considers what type of outreach, resource or university response may be appropriate.
Support Is Coordinated
The student may be contacted and connected with appropriate campus or community resources. Other university offices may be involved when a coordinated response is needed.
The amount of information that can be shared back with the person who submitted the concern may be limited by student privacy requirements.
Emergency Situations
Immediate Danger or Emergency
If a student presents an immediate danger to themselves or others, or there is another emergency requiring an immediate response, call 911.
For non-emergency police assistance, contact the Texas Tech Police Department at 1 (806) 742-3931.
A Student of Concern report is not an emergency response system. If immediate intervention is needed, contact emergency services first. A Student of Concern report may also be submitted afterward when follow-up or additional university support may be helpful.
Faculty & Staff Guidance
Faculty and staff may encounter concerns involving classroom behavior, student distress, disruptive behavior, mandatory reporting responsibilities or questions about student privacy. More detailed guidance is available on the Supporting Students of Concern page.
That resource includes information about the Behavioral Intervention Team, recognizing concerning behavior, responding to students, classroom concerns, FERPA, mandatory reporting and university resources for faculty and staff.
Supporting Students of Concern
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can submit a Student of Concern report?
Anyone who is concerned about a Texas Tech student may submit a report. This can include students, faculty, staff, friends, family members or other members of the university community.
Do I need to know exactly what is wrong before I report?
No. Report the behaviors, circumstances or information that caused you to become concerned. You are not expected to diagnose the student or determine which university resource is needed.
What if I am concerned about myself?
You do not have to submit a Student of Concern report to ask for help. Students can contact the Office of the Dean of Students directly or use Student Support Resources to find assistance with academic challenges, health, basic needs, financial concerns and other circumstances.
Will the student know who submitted the report?
The university handles Student of Concern information with appropriate attention to student privacy. However, circumstances vary, and complete anonymity should not be assumed when using the standard reporting process. If you need an anonymous reporting option, review Raider Report's anonymous reporting information.
What if the concern also involves possible misconduct?
A student may need support while also being involved in a conduct-related matter. If you are unsure which reporting option applies, review Raider Report to compare Student of Concern, Student Conduct and other university reporting options.
What if I have not seen or heard from a student recently?
If a student's unexplained absence or lack of communication causes concern for their wellbeing, you may submit a Student of Concern report with the information you have. Faculty should also follow applicable academic procedures when absences affect a student's standing in a course.
Student Support Resources
Students of Concern may be connected with different resources depending on their circumstances. The following offices are common sources of student support.
Dean of Students
-
Address
Suite 203, Student Union Building -
Phone
806.742.2984 -
Email
deanofstudents@ttu.edu