The Office of Student Assistance and Support consults with faculty and staff supporting a student and/or those who are concerned about a student’s well-being.
We also provide guides, resources, and information for faculty and staff to support students experiencing personal challenges, mental and physical health issues, and how to talk with a student you are concerned about.
Need help? Let’s navigate this together.
Connecting With Your Students
When working through academic and personal issues, having the support of a staff or faculty member can be quite impactful for students. OSAS offers a variety of guides and resources with helpful information on many common student concerns.
Supporting Every Student Experience
We’re a trusted source to connect students to campus and community resources and support. If you are concerned about a student and don’t know we’re to go, start with us and we can help.
When You Are Concerned About A Student
Information and resources assisting a student navigating personal challenges or other concerns.
Supporting Mental Health of Students
Ways to support a student who may be struggling with mental health and where to go for help.
Healthy Academics Instructional Toolkit
A toolkit from University Health Services to equip faculty, staff, teaching assistants, and advisors.
Classroom Resources
Guides and resources to help navigate class attendance, accommodations for life events, and other classroom concerns that may arise.
Class Attendance
Information about class attendance and absences, as well as guidance for faculty in making decisions for flexibility requests.
Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Techniques to help calm a student who may be angry or upset.
Flexibility Requests for Life Events
How to handle accommodation or flexibility requests for cultural, religious and ethnic observances, pregnancy, parenting, and other life events.
Academic Concerns
Guides and resources for other academic-related concerns.
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Academic Misconduct
Absences From Class
How to manage situations where a student misses class, including guidance on making up exams.
Students with Demanding Behavior
Techniques for working with students who may be intrusive, persistent and require extra time and attention, including what to do, and what not to do.
Students with Disruptive Behavior
Guidance on how to manage a student who exhibits disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Specific Topics
Resources and guidance for supporting students dealing with specific concerns, including mental health issues, life events, financial hardship, and more. Check the guide below for more information and how OSAS can help.
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Crisis Loans and Financial Support for Students
Students dealing with financial hardship due to unexpected life events may qualify for a crisis loan or grant from the university.
Food and Financial Support Resources
Students dealing with food access issues or financial hardship due to unexpected life events may be eligible for support from the university. Find more information about these programs.
Pregnancy and Parenting Student Resources
Review Pregnancy and Parenting Students guide for information on accommodations and institutional policies.
Non-Academic Misconduct
Learn more about student behaviors or incidents classified as non-academic misconduct (managed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards ) in this guide.
Students with Disoriented or Psychotic Behavior
Identify symptoms of severe disorientation or psychosis related to psychological illness and find guidelines on supporting students in this guide.
Students with Anxiety Issues
Find information on identifying symptoms of anxiety in students and providing helpful support in this guide.
Missing Student
If you notice a student stops attending classes or activities, does not respond to emails, or misses an exam, contact OSAS for further assistance.
When A Student Dies
Find details on university processes related to the passing of a student in this guide.
Students with Disordered Eating Behaviors
Find language guidelines for supporting students with irregular eating behaviors or diagnosed eating disorders in this guide.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that governs the privacy of student educational records, access to those records, and disclosure of information from them.
Discussing a student you are concerned about with the Office of Student Assistance and Support is permitted by FERPA if the discussion relates to the student’s experience at UW–Madison or could help the university support the student. Additionally, talking with any campus office that can help you assist the student directly is also permitted by FERPA. The Registrar’s Office has more information on student rights protected under FERPA.
Awards and Recognition
Highlighting student achievement is important to OSAS, and it helps all of us celebrate the UW-Madison community as we work toward creating an accepting, supportive, and successful environment to learn and grow.
Exceptional Citizenship Award
Recognize students with notable courage and character through the Exceptional Citizenship Award.
For students experiencing a mental health emergency,
please contact UHS Mental Health Services 24/7 support line at 608-265-5600 (option 9).
For emergency or life-threatening situations, please dial 911.