About Us
Make a Referral
Whether a student in your course is having academic difficulty or shows signs of disturbing behavior, there are multiple paths to get the student the help they need and simultaneously alert others on campus who may be able to assist. Please see below for a list of intervention options and suggestions for when each option should be used.
Faculty Referrals
If you are a faculty member, please utilize the “Refer a Student” tab on Canvas to submit a referral.
Success Advocates will respond to the referral in Archivum by sending outreach to the student who was referred. Please note that the Success Advocate will not send a confirmation of outreach to the person who submitted the referral.
However, the Success Advocate may reach out to the person who submitted the referral if there is a need for additional information or context. Please contact stp-studentsuccessadvocacy@usf.edu with any concerns.
Example of an appropriate referral:
“This student was doing great in my course for the first few weeks of the semester but has not submitted assignments in my class in two weeks. I reached out to the student out of concern and found out that the student is struggling with time management as a first-year college student. I gave the student a few pointers and let the student know that I was placing a referral to the Success Advocates and that you would be in contact.”
Checklist:
- An explanation of the student’s issue
- What the referrer has already done to address the issues
- What outcome they are hoping for the Advocate to accomplish
- Notified the student of your concerns and of your referral to the Success Advocates
Staff Referrals
1. CONTACT THE SUCCESS ADVOCACY TEAM
The Success Advocacy Team can serve as a sounding board if you need advice on how to handle a student issue or want to get help for a student who is having difficulties in your course. Please note the below guidelines for social concerns vs. academic concerns.
- For academic concerns please complete the Academic Referral Form below. Success Advocates monitor this form and will respond to support students.
- For concerns where they are both social and academic concerns please complete the academic referral form, the team will ensure the student receives individualized support that reflects their needs.
- Please note that the Success Advocate will not send a confirmation of outreach to the person who submitted the referral. However, the Success Advocate may reach out to the person who submitted the referral if there is a need for additional information or context. Please contact stp-studentsuccessadvocacy@usf.edu with any concerns.
Example of an appropriate referral:
“This student is highly involved on campus and attends many of my office’s events. During one of these events the student disclosed that they are struggling to manage their time and that their grades are starting to slip. I let them know about a few campus resources and notified them that I would submit a referral on their behalf to the Success Advocates.”
2. SUBMIT A STUDENT OF CONCERN FORM (SOCAT)
The Student Outreach and Care Action Team (SOCAT) works with students who may be distressed or whose behavior is of concern to others. SOCAT was established as a way to provide support and assistance to a student before more significant problems arise. SOCAT’s focus is to help offer supportive intervention and guidance to any USF St. Petersburg student who is struggling. The goal is to help the student focus on academic success, avert more serious difficulties, and ensure the safety of both the student and the USF St. Petersburg community. Convened by the Dean of Students, the USF St. Petersburg Student of Concern Assistance Team includes members from the Campus Police, Wellness Center, Academic Advising, Student Disabilities, Housing and Residence Life, and others as needed.
The education, development, and success of our students is a key responsibility of not just the university at large but all faculty and staff. In order to educate, develop, and empower student success we must all work to cultivate a culture of care and commitment to our students.
However, as a new generation of students enrolls in institutions across the country, it can be challenging to know how to best engage them in our productive learning environment. To assist in facilitating relationships between faculty/staff and students, we share the following best practices!
Faculty and Staff Resources
The education, development, and success of our students is a key responsibility of not just the university at large but all faculty and staff. In order to educate, develop, and empower student success we must all work to cultivate a culture of care and commitment to our students.
However, as a new generation of students enrolls in institutions across the country, it can be challenging to know how to best engage them in our productive learning environment. To assist in facilitating relationships between faculty/staff and students, we share the following best practices!
1. When making a referral.
If you make a referral to a campus partner for a student to receive assistance (e.g.
SOCAT or a success advocate referral form), directly and caringly share with the student
why and to who you are making a referral.
2. Consider reviewing pedagogical best practices.
Our system of higher education in the US trains us to be strong critical thinkers
and researchers; however, it can leave us with only our personal experience in the
classroom to draw from as instructors. Consider using the following resources for
strong practical and theory-based suggestions for course instruction.
- For opportunities to connect to educators at the USF St. Petersburg campus and a wealth of pedagogical best practices check out the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
- Still curious about your role and student success and retention? Check out our selection of peer-reviewed literature found under the Compass Faculty and Staff page.
3. Remember that our students face critical structural barriers to success even after
enrolling in college.
Housing and food insecurity rates among college students remain high nationally. Indeed,
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs directly impacts student success. If you are interested in educating yourself further
on these issues, please look into research from the The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. Check out the Students in Crisis Resource Guide to know the best way to support students at the USF St. Petersburg campus.
4. Acknowledge the presence of power dynamics when considering how you engage with
students.
It can be difficult for students to feel comfortable making an impromptu but needed
check-in after a lecture where they must approach you (the course’s evaluator) in
the space they associate with their evaluation as a student. Students often wish to
respect their professors and feel like they would be a bother if they approached you
in a space they believe yours. Consider making yourself available to students in a
neutral area such as the Reef, Library, or on The Edge's patio.
5. Treat students as individuals.
As a generation raised on email and product listservs, Generation Z (late millennials)
will likely not respond generic emails inviting the whole class to use a resource
(e.g. office hours). Trying using mail merge to invite them by name to participate
in a resource and explain why you thought it would be a good fit for them.