SPRING 2021 PLAN:
With the Fall semester well underway, the College has announced the Spring calendar and plans. See our announcement on the Spring calendar. The College is prepared to welcome community members back to campus for the Spring semester with current safety precautions still in place and in accordance with current guidance from the State of New York. For questions and other communications related to the coming academic year and campus reopening, email COVID-19@mville.edu. Safety policies and protocols can be found here.
Initial assessment
Addressing Mental Health Concerns with Students:
Step 1: The professor should express their concerns directly to the student, if they are comfortable doing so. (Exception: If student expresses suicidal or homicidal ideation, or anything that suggests the student is at risk of harm to self/others, the student should be immediately walked over to SHAC, or SHAC (Campus Safety after hours) should be notified as soon as they receive information suggesting the student was at risk of harm to self or others. Professors are welcome to consult with a SHAC counselor by calling (914) 323-5155 or emailing shac@mville.edu.
Step 2: The professor should encourage the student to seek support from SHAC. The professor can also request permission to provide information to SHAC and have someone reach out to the student (sometimes that’s more comfortable to the student).
Step 3: If the student continues to express distress or concerning behaviors persist, raising a CARE flag is appropriate.
Once the CARE flag is raised, the CARE Team will review the flag and determine which services and supports might best support the student in need; both on and off campus resources are evaluated. Typically, for mental health issues, a counselor will outreach to the student to offer support. Occasionally, the reported concern will warrant having the student walked over to SHAC for a risk assessment. At that time, it would be determined whether or not the student required a higher level of care. Counseling is a voluntary service, so if a student on the CARE list refuses counseling, typically there is nothing else we can do. However, if the student has been deemed a risk to himself or others, then they would be required to have an assessment at a hospital. SHAC staff would collaborate with the hospital; the student’s emergency contact would be notified by Residence Life or Campus Safety.
Conduct Violation
Unfortunately, there are times when illegal activities take place in a student's room which can make them feel uncomfortable. A student may share with you that their roommate is using and/or selling drugs out of their room, and the student may express that they are concerned about getting into trouble should the College find out. This type of situation is not generally a concern for the CARE Team. In a moment like this, you should encourage the student to contact their RD right away. The RD will meet with the student in order to fully understand the situation and will present the student’s options. In addition, you may refer to the Student Code of Conduct.