The Maroon Folder Resource

Faculty and staff are vital to the UMass network of care. As consistent mentors and supporters of college students, you are often among the first to recognize warning signs of distress. The Maroon Folder is intended to assist you in responding with compassion and care, identifying appropriate next steps, and connecting students to resources.

Download Maroon Folder as an Interactive PDF Download Maroon Folder as an Interactive PDF

What to Look For: Recognize Distress Indicators

Use this chart to identify a student in distress, noting patterns, frequency, duration, and severity of the behavior(s).

Academic

Physical

Psychological

Safety Risk

Does a Student Need Immediate Assistance?

Follow these steps if you are concerned about a student.

Yes: The student’s conduct is reckless, disorderly, threatening, and/or suggestive of immediate harm to self or others.	Call UMass Police Department (UMPD) at 413-545-3111.
Not sure: The student shows signs of distress, but I am unsure of the severity.	Call the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) at 413-545-2337 during business hours or (413) 545-HELP (4357) for 24/7/365 consultation. If possible, offer to walk them to CCPH or stay with them while they call.
No: The student is navigating academic and/or personal issues and could use support but I am not concerned for their immediate safety.	Refer or connect the student to the appropriate campus resource (see list on this page).

What About FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits faculty and staff to share student health and safety concerns with relevant campus offices. Sharing your concerns about a student does not violate their privacy rights and general observation of student’s behavior or statements made by a student are not protected by FERPA. Appropriate consideration for student privacy should be given before information is shared with people other than those suggested on this page.

Next Steps

Matters involving discrimination, harassment, and related interpersonal violence should be reported to the Equal Opportunity and Access Office.
For a coordinated response, share the information with the Dean of Students Office.
Code of Student Conduct violation(s) should be referred to the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office.

Tips for Connecting with a Student

Prepare

Connect

Refer

Campus Resources

Immediate Assistance

Support and Follow Up

Additional Resources

University Policies, State and Federal Laws

Clery Act | The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. UMass Amherst’s annual security report includes campus safety policies and procedures, crime statistics, and information about university educational efforts.

Non-discrimination Policies | The Equal Opportunity and Access Office (EOA) administers the policy against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence. The policy complies with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence, and retaliation. Many university employees are designated as “responsible employees” and required to report known or possible incidents of policy-defined misconduct to EOA.

Academic Integrity | As a community, we strive to ensure that academic work produced at UMass Amherst is honest, trustworthy, and fair: a standard known as academic integrity. The Academic Integrity Policy defines the responsibilities towards our collective goal and allows us to hold one another accountable. The policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students, instructors, and other instructional staff participating in academic classes, programs, and research projects offered by the university.

Code of Student Conduct | The Code of Student Conduct (Code) describes principles for living and acting responsibly and behavioral expectations for students. The Code describes the process the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office (SCCS) uses to resolve student conduct referrals.

Hazing | Hazing is any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Hazing is a crime under Massachusetts Law and is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. If hazing is reported or suspected, you must promptly report it to UMPD or local law enforcement. In addition, notify the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office.

Alcohol and Other Drugs | The Code of Student Conduct and the University Alcoholic Beverage Policy describes university policies regarding alcohol and other drugs.

Guidelines for Classroom Civility and Respect | Course Instructors have the professional responsibility and authority to maintain order in instructional settings. The Guidelines for Classroom Civility and Respect outline the processes that instructors should engage in to address disruptions in instructional settings.