Breaking down barriers to success and engagement
The Student Support Team helps students who are experiencing challenges get back to thriving by responding at both the individual and community level.
The studentāÆmay be in distress dueāÆto emotional issues, health, family or personal relationships, grades, academic standing, non-academic misconduct, or other problems.
We take a care-first approach, and provide comprehensive and coordinated support to improve the well-being of the individual student, support their academic success, respond to instances of non-academic misconduct, and contribute to an overall improvement in safety and inclusivity on campus.
We also advise on all matters related to the Code of Student ConductĀ and offer a supportive case management process.Ģż
Making a referral
Anyone within Ä¢¹½AV can make a referral to the Student Support Team when they are concerned about a student. WeĀ assistĀ them in navigating Ä¢¹½AVās wide range of support services and resources.
If you are not a Ä¢¹½AV student, staff, or faculty member but have a concern about a student, please reach out to the Student Support Team directly atĀ studentsupport@dal.ca.
Referral process
PleaseĀ submitĀ a referral when you first notice that aāÆstudentĀ appears to beĀ in distress asĀ itāsĀ often difficult toĀ determineĀ when a student's problem is serious, andāÆit'sĀ better to err on the side of caution.āÆReferring to the Student Support Team when you are concerned about a student does not get the student in trouble but ensures a coordinated response.āÆWe are here to help.
A case manager will then review the referral and reach out to the student directly within 1ā2 business days to assess their support needs and develop a support plan. To protect the studentās privacy, information cannot be shared about whether they have followed up with a case manager.Ģż
If you have an ongoing relationship with the student, you may want to check in with them to ask if they have been able to connect with a case manager. If you continue to have concerns about the student, you canĀ submitĀ another referral form or contact the Student Support Team atĀ studentsupport@dal.ca.
Case management
Ä¢¹½AV student support case managers provide outreach, information, referrals, and support to students who are experiencing barriers to success, both academically and non-academically. Case managers work with them to explore options and develop an action plan for navigating and connecting to on-campus or community resources to help them in their specific situation.
Our key functions include:
Direct student support:Ā Practical problem solving, resource and system navigation support for students experiencing non-academic challenges and barriers.
Holistic case management:Ā A collaborative process involving intake, assessment, planning, and follow-up support. It emphasizes de-escalation and proactive interventions for students experiencing complex, multiple non-academic challenges, and barriersĀ impactingĀ academics, behaviour, thriving,Ā and success.
Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT):Ā Assessments used to inform and manage issues related to campus safety and concerns related to the Code of Student Conduct.
°ä²¹±č²¹³¦¾±³Ł²āĢż²ś³Ü¾±±ō»å¾±²Ō²µ:Ā Through collaboration, consultations, and a community of practice, a care-first response is ensured across campuses.
Code of Student Conduct
Ä¢¹½AV has committed to a living,Ā learningĀ and working environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, and violence and is a place also characterized by understanding, respect, trust,Ā opennessĀ and fairness.
The Code of Student Conduct aims to help students understand expectations forĀ appropriate (non-academic)Ā behaviour on campus and while engaged in Ä¢¹½AV activities. Student life at university can be complex. Harm can occur and haveĀ impactsĀ that create barriers to learning and thriving causing students to requireĀ additionalĀ support.
We believe that studentsĀ are responsible forĀ their actions, and we also understand the importance of opportunities for learning, transformation, and growth after an incident of misconductāespecially on a university campus.
Members of the university community who have questions or concerns about an experience that may fall under the Code can reach out to theĀ Student Support TeamĀ atĀ studentsupport@dal.caĀ to talk about supports and options. A case manager will meet with you, assessĀ whatāsĀ happening, and advise on possible next steps.
If you are not a Ä¢¹½AV student, staff, or faculty member but have a concern about a student, please reach out to the Student Support Team directly atĀ studentsupport@dal.ca.Ģż
Our care-first approach
A careāfirst approach is a humanācentred way of responding to harmful or impactful student behaviour that prioritizes well-being, learning, and community connection. It begins with the belief that behaviour is a form of communication and that the best chance at transformation occurs when students are met with curiosity, compassion, and coordinated support.Ģż
Core principles:
- Behaviour signals need. When a student is struggling, their behaviour often reflects underlying distress or unmet needs. A careāfirst approach avoids assumptions and responds with curiosity, recognizing that people are not disposable.
- We are a living and learning community. Growth and transformation happen when students feel supported, respected, and connected. Our role is to create the conditions that make learning -- academic, personal, and relational -- possible.
- Connection creates healthier communities. Connection fosters a healthier community. Meeting students with support rather than exclusion builds the conditions where people can recalibrate, repair, and re-engage. As our teams emphasize, punitive approaches donāt create the outcomes we want -- ācancelling people wonāt keep us safer.ā.
- Just communities are more resilient communities. Just communities are more resilient communities. Grounding our work in fairness, dignity, and coordinated care helps us respond to challenges in ways that reduce harm and strengthen our shared environment.
Together, these principles frame behaviour not as a problem to be managed, but as an opportunity for support, learning, and repair. A careāfirst approach ensures that all students are met with empathy and structure, and that the community remains healthy, connected, and committed to growth.