Student Support Resources & Protocol

The College of Journalism and Communications is committed to creating a safe environment with an enriching student experience centered on growth, professional development and academic excellence. Even in the most controlled environment, obstacles that can hinder their success may arise.

Some of those obstacles may leave faculty and staff uncertain of how to help.

Follow these steps if you have a student experiencing:

Academic Setbacks

If a student’s academic performance worries you, meet with the student. Examples of concern include a sudden drop in participation, assignment quality, or attendance. If the student’s main need is learning support, share the resources here: studentsuccess.ufl.edu/student-resources/resourceguide/academics

Circumstantial Adversity

In cases where a student needs financial assistance, is experiencing food insecurity, or may have random non-recurring challenges arise (accident, job loss, robbery, etc), you may refer the student to the Knight Division for a custom review of resources. jou.ufl.edu/knight

Emotional Distress

If a student exhibits signs of emotional distress, social withdrawal, behavioral issues you have multiple options. In cases where you have a relationship with the student, you may meet to discuss your concern. If your support doesn’t help or you are not comfortable, you may refer the student to the Knight Division and submit your concerns via umatter.ufl.edu

Physical Affliction

If a student has been physically harmed or injured, call 911 immediately. If you are equipped to do so, administer first aid. Once the student is safe, you may follow up by contacting the Dean of Students office and CJC’s Assistant Dean of Student Experience.

Threats and Emergencies

In cases where:

you suspect a student is a danger to self or others.
there’s a display of unprovoked violence, assault, weapon usage/brandishing
A student self-discloses domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, hazing, etc.
Written threats to faculty, students, or campus
or you receive any intel that may cause physical harm to a student, employee or campus visitor

you are REQUIRED to report it to the university via umatter.ufl.edu. For more details on Mandatory Reporting, visit titleix.ufl.edu

If you have a student issue and you are unsure of the resources available or uncomfortable approaching the student, please consult the Assistant Dean of Student Experiences, Dr. Katrice Graham, kgraham@jou.ufl.edu. She is happy to provide support through resource research, direct referrals, mediation, discussion facilitation and reporting assistance.

If you are concerned about a student, no matter how uncertain you are, you may reach out for help. Once a report is filed with UMatter.ufl.edu, the university’s CARE team will conduct a wellness check and determine if greater action is required.