Students of Concern (Concerns And REview Committee)

Students experience a wide-range of adjustments when entering college. While most students’ needs are addressed through the routine functioning of the University, a growing number of students require further attention. The CARE Committee brings together administrators from Student Life, Public Safety, the Counseling Center, and Academic Affairs to offer an informed and caring response to students of concern. Current CARE Committee members are:

• Tom DeMarco, Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students (Chair of CARE Committee)
• Nathalie Edmond, PsyD, Director of the Holloway University Counseling Center
• TBD, Associate Dean, Villanova School of Business
  
• Susan Jacobs, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Students, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  
• David Jamison, PhD, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, College of Engineering
• Susan Leighton, Assistant Dean, Academic Programs, College of Professional Studies
• Jennifer Liberato, Associate Director of Residence Life for Student Support
• Catherine Lovecchio, PhD, RN, Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program, Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
• Brian McCabe, Director of the Center for Spirituality and Outreach, Mission and Ministry
  
• Rev. Bernie Scianna, OSA, PhD, Senior Associate Dean of Students for Student Support
• Nicole Subik, Director, Learning Support Services
• David Tedjeske, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police

CARE discusses exceptional cases involving undergraduate and graduate students presenting concerns that are best addressed by the combined attention of these University offices. Exceptional cases are defined as:

• Students who may be threats to themselves.
• Students who may be threats to the campus community.
• Students who have experienced traumatic personal events.
• Students whose behavior and/or emotional state raise significant concerns.

Students who create these concerns may manifest their difficulties in the classroom, in the residence halls, and in many other settings within the University. When faculty members encounter students whose behavior or situation is analogous to the cases described above, they should communicate their concerns and observations to an academic Assistant or Associate Dean, the Dean of Students, and/or the Counseling Center staff. The Assistant or Associate Deans will communicate their faculty members’ concerns to any member of the CARE Committee. When other members of the University, including Student Life, Public Safety, and Residence Life, encounter students whose behavior or situation is analogous to the cases described above, they will convey their concerns to appropriate officials, who will, in turn, communicate with the CARE Committee.

The Counseling Center staff will continue to be available to consult with faculty about any student, whether or not the faculty member’s level of concern is great enough for the faculty member to involve academic administrators or the CARE Committee.

If you encounter a student whose actions or behavior are disruptive to class, but are not “exceptional cases” as defined above, then discuss the matter with your department Chair to review options to manage the classroom and follow existing procedures defined in the Faculty Handbook under “Discipline of Students.”

A booklet that provides information on identifying and referring students of concern can be accessed by clicking on the image below.