Refer A Missing/Non-Engaging Student

How to refer a student who suddenly stops attending their classes or other university activities, misses an exam, or stops responding to emails.

Faculty, staff, fellow students, or family members may notice a student has stopped attending classes, meetings, or has stopped communicating. This can sometimes occur suddenly or over a period of time. Our office refers to these students as non-engaging students.

Only law enforcement can designate someone as “missing”.

If you believe a student is in immediate danger or is missing, please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department at 911 or 608-264-2677. If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the UHS 24/7 Crisis Line at 608-265-5600 (option 9)

In other cases, if you are concerned about a student who may has stopped attending classes/meetings and has not responded to communication attempts, you can submit a Student of Concern Referral form to our office via the form above, by calling our office at 608-263-5700, or by email at osas@studentaffairs.wisc.edu.

Submit a Student of Concern Referral

1. After the report is submitted, a staff member in the Office of Student Assistance and Support will respond to your contact and initiate a non-engaged student process.
2. The Office of Student Assistance and Support will determine whether a “welfare check” by police or University Housing staff is warranted.

If you believe the student is in danger, i.e. made a suicidal statement, has a serious medical condition you observed, please first contact the appropriate emergency services list on the top of the reporting form, and then provide this information to the Office of Student Assistance and Support.