Faculty and Staff Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens to the student at the counseling center?
2. What if I'm uneasy about a student?
3. What should I do if a student tells me they have a psychological problem or are having problems with their medication?
4. How can I best help a student with problems?

1. What happens to the student at the counseling center?

• On any given day, there are many times open for appointments. Students can usually get an appointment within a week of their first request, depending on their schedules Their first appointment is called an “intake.” They fill out basic information forms and meet with a counselor. That counselor may or may not be the person they’ll continue with.
• They discuss options and make decisions about next steps.
• These steps may include ongoing counseling with the intake counselor or another staff member, a medical evaluation referral, referral to an off campus counselor, or in an emergency, referral to a local emergency room for further evaluation.
• Our average number of sessions is 6-8. Some students come once, some come weekly for their college career.

2. What if I'm uneasy about a student?

• Call Personal Counseling for advice (651) 962-6780 before you meet
• Do not ignore your uneasy feelings
• Try to identify what specific behavior makes you uncomfortable and ask the student to change that behavior
• Do not confront the person, but don’t give in to inappropriate behavior to help feel safe. Set boundaries immediately. E.g. “I’d like you to lower your voice”.
• Stay in a public place or keep your door open and make sure colleagues are around
• Offer to listen. Ask what the student wants to accomplish
• Involve a third party; tell student “I’ll get …to help me understand how we can help you.”
• Have a code word for calling a colleague or Public Safety if you feel threatened e.g. “Please call Dr. Thomas to help me understand what I can do for this student”
• Call Public Safety beforehand (651) 962-5100 to stand by in the vicinity if you feel frightened or to intervene in the early stages if the person acts out.
• You can and should take disciplinary action with respect to the student. Contact the Dean of Student Life Office (651) 962-6054 for advice. Often informal mediation will help. The DOSL Office can also contact other professors to find out if there is a broader problem. Often, what is perceived as a psychological problem, is a discipline issue.

3. What should I do if a student tells me they have a psychological problem or are having problems with their medication?

• Ask if they are registered with the Enhancement Program and/or are getting help.
• It’s important to be flexible and understanding. You are legally obligated to provide reasonable accommodations, but not unreasonable ones! To clarify what these might be in a specific situation, call Kim Schumann (651) 962-6315
• Even if a student does have a psychological problem, they still must meet behavioral expectations on campus. 

4. How can I best help a student with problems?

The best thing you can do is call us (651) 962-6780 and consult. Faculty and staff are here at UST because they care about students. The best way to show you care is to ask for advice early on. We can consult with you about maintaining your professional role while still helping the student.