Student Support FAQs

The CARE Team is a program in place to ensure that students who experience any sort of challenge during their time at GW are connected proactively to a staff member or resource that can help them through and maintain their success.

Students

Does a CARE Referral mean I'm in trouble?

No, a CARE Referral is a safe and centralized way for the public to express any concerns over a GW student.

What if I don't want outreach from CARE or campus partners?

Students are allowed to refuse services from the CARE Team or campus partners unless safety to themselves or others are threatened. 

Can the CARE Team write excuse notes?

The CARE Team can offer communications for students who may be experiencing a death in the family or a personal emergency. Requests for communication are reviewed case-by-case and are not guaranteed. 

We encourage students to engage in the following: 

• Always reach out to your faculty directly to arrange making up missed work or assignments.
• When possible, Student Support should be contacted prior to a student leaving campus and not after the student returned.
• A Student Support Absence Notification does not excuse an absence or replace any absence policy listed on a course syllabus. Faculty may excuse absences at their own discretion. 

Will my future employers or schools know about my CARE Referral? 

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here: https://privacy.gwu.edu/ferpa

Can I submit a CARE Referral? 

Yes, you can submit a CARE Referral for yourself or another GW student (undergraduate or graduate). 

Faculty/Staff

What are some common signs a student may benefit from CARE Outreach?

Common Signs Academically: 

• Sudden decline in quality of work or grades
• Repeated absences 
• Multiple requests for extensions on assignments 
• Overly demanding of faculty and staff on time and attention 
• Disturbing content in writing or presentation (i.e. violence, death, etc.)
• Continuous classroom disruptions

Common Signs Physically: 

• Marked changes in physical appearance, including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight change
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol 
• Disoriented or "out of it"
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech 
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre 

Commons Signs Psychologically: 

• Self-disclosure of personal distress such as family problems, financial difficulties, grief, or relationship issues 
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events 
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Verbal abuse (i.e. taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Expression of concern about the student by their peers
• Delusions and paranoia 

What should I include in a CARE Referral?

We encourage all potential reporters to include basic information of the student such as first name, last name, and GWID if possible. Reporters should provide a brief description of the challenges/obstacles the student may be experiencing to ensure the student receives the appropriate support.

Can I submit a report anonymously?

Yes, however, the CARE Team cannot guarantee anonymity. If anonymity is not possible, please contact the GW CARE Team ([email protected]) for any additional assistance. 

I've submitted a CARE Referral but I have not seen any changes from the student's behaviors/actions. Why would that be?

Students in distress may not always be prepared to move forward with solutions to their obstacles/challenges. If you notice patterns of behavior/action continuing, submit an additional referral to reflect these updates. 

Will a CARE Referral affect a student's future employment or education opportunities?

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here: https://privacy.gwu.edu/ferpa 

Parents/Guardians 

My student has been acting differently. When should I be concerned?

Common Signs Academically: 

• Sudden decline in quality of work or grades
• Repeated absences 
• Multiple requests for extensions on assignments
• Overly demanding of faculty and staff on time and attention
• Disturbing content in writing or presentation (i.e. violence, death, etc.)

Common Signs Physically: 

• Marked changes in physical appearance, including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight change
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance 
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol
• Disoriented or "out of it"
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech 
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre

Common Signs Psychologically:

• Self-disclosure of personal distress such as family problems, financial difficulties, grief, or relationship issues 
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events 
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Irritability or unusual apathy 
• Verbal abuse (i.e. taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Expression of concern about the student by their peers
• Delusions and paranoia

How can I be involved in the CARE Referral process?

We encourage parents/guardians to be involved through this process through supporting their plan of action and active listening. This may vary across students as each student presents a different set of needs. We encourage you to openly communicate with your student about their needs and how you can provide support for those needs. 

Will a CARE Referral affect my student's future employment or education opportunities?

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here: https://privacy.gwu.edu/ferpa

My student was helped in the past but now is facing different challenges. Can I submit a CARE Referral again?

Yes, the CARE Team can serve a student any time during their enrollment at GW. 

Can I submit a report anonymously?

Yes, however, the CARE Team cannot guarantee anonymity. If anonymity is not possible, please contact the GW CARE Team ([email protected]) for any additional assistance.