University of Dallas Care Team

The University of Dallas cares about the emotional and physical well-being of all students, as well as their academic success. The University has developed a Care Team, a group of faculty and staff committed to a caring, confidential program of identification, intervention and response in order to provide our students with the greatest chance of success and our community with the greatest level of protection.

Mission

The mission of the Care Team is to identify students of concern and develop a plan that gives students the tools and resources needed to overcome adversities in order to succeed at the University of Dallas.

How the Care Team works

The Care Team works most effectively when the University of Dallas community shares information about students of concern through Care reports, phone conversations, emails or in-person with a Care Team member. Once a student has been identified as needing support, the Care Team creates a response plan to best respond with an inclusive and suitable response to that particular student.  The appropriateness of each connection method is addressed by the Care Team and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Care Team is not designed to address emergencies and imminent threats to health and safety. If there is an emergency, please contact the UDPD Emergency line at 972-265-5911 before submiting a Care report. If you are off campus, please call 911

How does the Care Team benefit the student?

The Care Team proactively identifies students of concern and addresses threats to students’ health, mental health, quality of life, and retention. The team works to recognize and bridge the gap between poor academic performance, financial needs, social dysfunction, and emotional, behavioral or medical issues. Based on the student's situation, the Care Team provides the student with the appropriate resources for their specific needs.

What is the difference between referring a student to the Care Team and a referral to counseling?

A referral to the Care Team is explicitly not counseling or therapy. Students who are referred for Care purposes are discussing their concerns, strategizing an action plan, and obtaining appropriate referrals if needed, which may include a referral to the Counseling Center. Students who require ongoing psychological support are referred to the Counseling Center. Students who are in crisis and in need of immediate psychological support should contact the Counseling Center first.

How does the CARE Team identify students?

Anyone in the UD community can identify a student in need of the Care Team. Students, parents, loved ones, faculty and staff can all file Care reports. 

• Talks of suicide (directly or indirectly)
• Threatening behavior
• Excessive weight loss
• Marked change in personal hygiene
• Reports of homesickness
• Alcohol and drug use or misuse
• Changes in family dynamic (sick family member, new baby, death in family, parent job loss, divorce)
• Loss of scholarship or financial issues
• Any display emotional, psychological or physical issues
• Significant change in academic performance or grades

What if a student shares information with me and asked me to not tell anyone?

If a student shares confidential information with you that they wish to share with another confidential person, please refer them to the Counseling Center or the Chaplain. The Care Team is designed to support students. The sooner you report a concern to the Care Team, the quicker we can provide the appropriare care and referral, especially when it comes to a student's well-being. 

If you are a faculty or staff member, you are required to report any allegations of sexual misconduct to the Title IX office.

How do I file a Care Report?

A Care Report is NOT for emergencies. If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of someone around you, dial 911 immediately. 

To file a CARE report, please email care@udallas.edu.

Are Care reports confidential?

The CARE Team is committed to protecting and respecting students’ privacy, and therefore, cannot provide information restricted by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). FERPA is a federal law that affords students at institutions of higher education the right to have access to their education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records.  

What other resources are available?

For student health services:

University of Dallas Counseling Center
Email: counseling@udallas.edu
Phone: 972-721-4045

Student Health Clinic
Email: udhealthclinic@udallas.edu
Phone: 972-721-5322

Any further questions can be directed to the Care Team by email at care@udallas.edu or by phone at 972-721-5323.