Red Folder
A quick reference guide for recognizing, responding to, and referring distressed students.
Red Folder
Alert
If a student’s conduct is clearly dangerous or threatening, including self-harm or harm to others, call 911 or the WCSU Police at (203) 837-9300.
What is Red folder?
The Red Folder Initiative is a nationally recognized program designed to help university staff and students recognize and respond to signs of students in distress or crisis. It includes a set of resources, guidelines, and protocols to support individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues, personal challenges, or academic difficulties. The "red folder" contains critical information about how to identify warning signs, who to contact for support, and how to provide immediate assistance. The goal is to foster a safer, more supportive campus environment by ensuring that everyone knows how to intervene or seek help when necessary.
1. RECOGNIZE
Recognize the signs or indications that students may be in distress.
2. RESPOND
Tips on how to respond to signs of distress.
3. REFER
Review the various options and resources to help you determine the appropriate next steps.
1. RECOGNIZE
Recognize distress. WCSU faculty and staff are in a position where they have frequent contact with students and may be the first to see that something seems ‘off.’
Academic
- Sudden decline in work quality and grades
- Frequently missed classes and assignments
- Bizarre, disturbing, or otherwise concerning content in writing and presentation
- Repeated classroom disruptions
- Continuously coming to you for personal rather than academic counseling
Emotional
- Uncontrollable crying
- Panic symptoms
- Self-disclosure of personal distress (e.g. family conflict, financial problems, depression, grief, thought of suicide
- Verbal abuse
- Expressions of concern by other students
Physical
- Noticeable changes in physical appearance including hygiene, grooming, or sudden weight loss/gain
- Excessive sleepiness or falling asleep in class
- Visibly under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Seeming disoriented or confused
Risk Related
- Unprovoked anger or hostility
- Implying or making a direct threat to self or others
- Academic assignments dominated by themes of death, extreme hopelessness, helplessness, isolation, rage, violence, self-injury
- Communicating threats via email, text, social media or phone calls
2. RESPOND
Use these important tips when responding to a distressed student.
Safety First
If there is an imminent danger to the student, you, or others, call WCSU Police (203) 837-9300 or 911.
Be Proactive
If you notice that something seems off, engage students early on. Waiting could mean that the problem gets worse before you see them again.
Stay Calm
Take a few deep breaths. Use a calm voice when talking and asking questions.
Ask Direct Questions
Inquire directly if the student is having thoughts of harm to themselves, suicide, or thoughts of hurting others.
Active Listening
Give the student your full attention. Restate or summarize what the student says so that they feel understood.
Seek Consultation
You are not alone. See the resources included here that can help.
3. REFER
Choose from the options below to determine who to contact when you are concerned about a student who is distressed and/or disruptive.
HIGH
(RED)
Student’s behavior is imminently dangerous to self or others.
Student needs immediate assistance.
Call 911 or WCSU Police (203) 837-9300
MEDIUM
(YELLOW)
Student shows signs of distress, but I am unsure of how serious it is. The interaction left me feeling uneasy and/or very concerned about the student.
LOW
(GREEN)
I am not concerned for the student’s immediate safety, but they are having significant academic and/or personal issues and could use more support.
Resources
- Counseling Services: (203) 837-8690
- Police 24/7: (203) 837-9300
- Health Services: (203) 837-8594
- Student Affairs: (203) 837-9700
- Judicial Affairs: (203) 837-8770
- CT Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7: (203) 731-5204
Call or text 988 for Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7
Student Care Team
A multi-disciplinary leadership team established to foster essential information sharing and collaboration. Representatives from most every service provider on campus.
Purpose is to monitor, assess, intervene, consult, and refer to remove barriers to student success and wellbeing.
Threat Assessment Team
Responsible for providing a coordinated and rapid response to students whose actions may be early warning signs of violent behavior or an intent to harm someone.
Team members will implement a response to assist the student while mitigating risk to keep the WCSU community healthy and safe. Includes representatives from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Counseling Services and WCSU Police.
Title IX Coordinator
Responsible for coordinating the University’s compliance with federal and state discrimination and sexual harassment laws.
Law Enforcement
WCSU Police are responsible for enforcing criminal statutes on university property and working collaboratively with prosecutors and the State of Connecticut Court system.
Judicial Affairs
Disciplinary procedures have been established to ensure fair and consistent enforcement of the student code outlined in the Student Code of Conduct of the Student Handbook.
These procedures are designed to provide impartial consideration of the facts and circumstances surrounding an alleged violation of the code, and to provide sanctions consistent with the severity of the violation.
Center for Empowerment and Education
CEE is a confidential, no-cost resource for individuals of any gender identity on or off campus who have experienced or are experiencing any form of interpersonal violence, including but not limited to dating abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, or human trafficking. CEE staff are not mandated to report disclosures to any other office on campus, including the Title IX office, but are mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect or threats of harm to self or others.