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The Orange Folder Initiative

The purpose of this folder is to help faculty and staff recognize potential signs of distress, how to engage in conversations, and identify appropriate resources to refer students to.

RECOGNIZE

Be on the lookout for behaviors that indicate concern about a person's safety, are out of character for that student, or result in significant impairment. Common signs or indicators of distress are listed below; however, this is not a comprehensive list. Trust your instincts. If a student's behavior leaves you feeling worried or concerned, follow procedures established through these guidelines.

  • Unprovoked anger/hostility
  • Physical violence
  • Implying or making direct threat to harm self or others
  • Academic assignments with themes of extreme hopelessness, despair, or suicidal ideation
  • Stalking or harassing
  • Communicating threat in person via email or other methods
  • Repeated absences
  • Decreased academic performance
  • Decreased participation in academics or extracurriculars
  • Multiple requests for extensions
  • Concerning content in writings or presentations
  • Continuously coming to you for personal rather than academic support
  • Changes in mood or energy levels
  • Self-disclosure of personal stress (e.g., financial problems, family issues)
  • Increased anger or irritability
  • Excessive stress, fear, and/or worry
  • Peers expressing concern about the student
  • Verbal abuse (e.g., taunting, intimidation)
  • Lack of responsiveness to email communications
  • Communication that seems strange or out of the ordinary
  • Changes in physical appearance
  • Regularly intoxicated or hungover during class
  • Excessive sleepiness or falling asleep in class
  • Repeated classroom disruptions

MANDATORY REPORTING

Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters. If your concern for a student is related to sexual or gender-based harassment or assault, you are required to report to the Office of Title IX & Student Discrimination Resolution. 

RESPOND

Each situation will be unique. Please use the following tips as a guide to navigate conversations with a student of concern.

If there is a risk of immediate danger for you, the student, or anyone else, call 9-1-1 or SHSU UPD (936-294-1000).

Before you meet with the student, you can consult with campus partners for advice on how to navigate the conversation if you are feeling unsure. Contact the departments below for consultations:

  • SHSU Counseling Center (936-294-1720)
  • CARE Network (936-294-1785)
  • Reach out to the student to discuss your concerns.
  • Try and speak privately, if at all possible, so that the student feels more comfortable in disclosing personal issues.
  • State the behaviors that you have noticed that are of concern.
  • Maintain a calm and non-judgmental tone.
  • Give the student your full attention. Turn off your computer, phone, etc. to minimize distractions.
  • Tell them that you are concerned about them and are here to help.
  • Restate what you hear the student sharing with you.

After talking with the student, let them know that you are there to support them and that the student does not have to navigate things alone. You can connect them to campus resources by:

  • Calling the campus resource together.
  • Walking the student across campus to the resource department.

If the student is hesitant about your recommendations, restate your concerns and let the student know that there are resources that want to support them.

  • Make a plan to follow up with the student after your conversation.
  • Let the student know when you will follow up with them, and then be sure to follow through.

online students

You may not be able to meet with an online student in person. If possible, try to meet virtually (cameras on) with the student via online video conferencing platforms (i.e., TEAMS, Zoom). It can be helpful to see the student to look for visual signs of distress, non-verbal communications, etc.

If it is not possible to meet virtually, use written forms of communication to reach out to the student. Any communication is better than no communication!

REFER

Review the options below to determine if the student needs immediate assistance and what to do based on level of distress.

The student is at immediate risk of harming self or others, is incoherent or unresponsive, the student is in extreme distress, the student is causing extreme distress to others, OR you have significant concerns about the student and cannot determine if they are at imminent risk.

Follow these guidelines:

  • Call the SHSU UPD Emergency Line (936-294-1000) if the student is on campus or call 9-1-1 if the student is off campus.
  • After connecting the student to emergency resources, submit a Behavioral Intervention Form. 

This is not an emergency; however, the student is showing signs of distress and the issue is impacting multiple areas of the student's life. You are concerned about them and want to get them help in a timely fashion.

Follow these guidelines:

You are not concerned for the student's immediate safety, but believe they are struggling with academic and/or personal issues and they could benefit from some additional support.

Follow these guidelines:

  • Connect the student to the appropriate on-campus resources as you are able.
  • Submit a referral to the CARE Network.