Student Care Services

Student Care Services is here to assist students in managing life stressors that may impact their academic success and personal well-being. Our goal is to offer guidance, resources, and referrals by identifying students' needs and reducing barriers that contribute to distress.

When a student requests assistance or our office receives a referral, we will make every effort to connect with the student. We offer support through a range of interventions, university services, and community referrals. We also assist students seeking withdraw due to extenuating circumstances. Our priority is to support student well-being and promote the safety of both the individual and the FGCU community by intervening early, before concerns escalate to a crisis level.

I need help / I am concerned about myself 

If you need assistance and it is not an emergency, please contact us at care@fgcu.edu or submit a Care and Concern Report. A member of our team will connect with you as soon as possible. Our office is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and is closed on weekends and university holidays.

If you need urgent mental health support, you can contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at any time. During business hours, call 239-590-7950. For immediate support outside of business hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays), FGCU students can call the CAPS helpline at 239-745-3277 to speak with a mental health professional.

If you need urgent help related to an incident involving sexual violence or sexual harassment, you can contact FGCU's confidential Victim Advocate, Aisha Lewis, at 239-745-4344 or alewis@fgcu.edu.

I am concerned for another student

Peer support is one of the most valuable resources for students experiencing distress or difficult life circumstances. If you are concerned about an FGCU student, you are encouraged to share your concerns with Student Care Services. While we are unable to disclose information about students or any actions we may take, your report can be an important part of helping us provide support and foster a community of care.

We also encourage you to connect the student with available resources and offer support when appropriate. One commonly used resource is Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).

View some of our services here, and share with any students who you feel could use support.

Student Care Services supports students whose success may be impacted by crises, life stressors, or other barriers.

To support students, we may:

• Reach out via email or phone to offer an appointment
• Assist students returning to campus after hospitalization
• Provide ongoing support and follow-up for students identified as high-risk
• Connect students with campus resources and community-based services
• Encourage and develop students’ self-advocacy skills in managing academic, personal, and financial responsibilities
• Advocate for students at both the individual and systemic levels

We also coordinate care across campus partners, including Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Adaptive Services, Student Health Services, Academic Advising, Financial Aid & Scholarships, and University Recreation & Wellness. Student Care Services is often the first point of contact when determining how best to support a student or connect them with appropriate resources.

If a student is struggling and you are unsure how to help, we encourage you to contact our office.

I received a letter from Student Care Services

If you receive a letter from Student Care Services, it means we have received information suggesting you may benefit from a supportive conversation and connection to additional resources. Our goal is to meet with you, learn more about your experience, and help connect you with support that meets your needs.

Student Care Services is not part of Student Conduct or the Office of Institutional Ethics and Compliance (OIEC), and meeting with us is not part of a formal investigation. Our outreach is non-punitive and intended solely to support your well-being. We encourage you to contact us to schedule a meeting.

Initial Meeting

Your initial meeting with a member of the Student Care Services team typically lasts about 30 minutes. During this time, we will discuss your situation and explore available options and resources.

Depending on your needs, we may talk about areas such as mental and emotional health, academic challenges, living environment, or financial concerns. Our goal is to identify ways to support you, including connecting you with relevant campus and community resources, as well as discussing any available processes that may assist you.

Follow-up or Check-in Appointments

Follow-up or check-in appointments provide an opportunity to stay connected with Student Care Services and continue discussing your progress, access to resources, academic experience, and overall well-being.

These appointments are often 30-minute, in-person meetings, but may also be conducted by phone, email, or video conference when appropriate.

Post-Hospital Services

If you have been hospitalized due to a behavioral health concern, such as a psychiatric emergency or medical care related to severe intoxication, you may be asked to meet with Student Care Services to support your transition back to campus.

The purpose of this meeting is to ensure you have appropriate resources and support in place to promote your academic success and personal well-being.

Class Absence Notifications

Unexpected situations—such as illness, bereavement, accidents, or emergencies—may result in a student missing class. In these cases, students are encouraged to notify their instructors as soon as possible and work with them to develop a plan for completing missed coursework.

Instructors may request documentation to better understand the circumstances. After receiving appropriate documentation, Student Care Services can provide a courtesy class absence notification to faculty outlining the general situation and anticipated duration of absence. This notification does not automatically excuse absences or guarantee accommodations.

We also strongly encourage students to inform their academic advisor to discuss potential next steps and available support.

Class Absence Request

Anyone can submit a referral to Student Care Services. We commonly receive referrals from:

• Faculty and staff
• Students
• Parents and family members
• Law enforcement
• Medical and care facilities (with student permission)

Parents and families can play an important role in a student’s support network. They are welcome to share concerns with Student Care Services, and we are happy to provide general information about available resources and university processes.

However, federal law requires that we protect student privacy. In most cases, we are unable to share specific information about a student without their consent.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Information shared with Student Care Services is protected under educational privacy laws. This differs from the level of confidentiality provided by licensed medical or mental health professionals or attorneys.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows university faculty and staff to share relevant information—such as observations, statements, or concerns about a student—with other officials who have a legitimate educational interest or responsibility for student welfare, as well as with law enforcement when appropriate.

FERPA and related regulations also permit the university to share information with parents, law enforcement, or others when necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others. Even in these situations, careful consideration is given to student privacy before information is shared.

Additional Resources and Options

• Students may complete a FERPA waiver to allow Student Care Services to share information from their student record with designated individuals, such as a parent or off-campus provider.
• For confidential support related to mental health, students may contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) during business hours at 239-590-7950.
• For confidential support related to sexual harassment or sexual violence, students are encouraged to contact the confidential Victim Advocate, Aisha Lewis, at 239-745-4344 or alewis@fgcu.edu.

To submit a referral, please complete a Care and Concern Report.

When completing the report, include as much detail as possible in the “Description/Narrative” section. Provide an objective account of observed behaviors, concerns, statements, or written communication. Whenever possible, include specific examples, direct quotes, and any relevant documentation (such as emails or concerning writings) to help us better understand the situation.

If you have an existing relationship with the student, it is often helpful to let them know you plan to submit a referral. Share why you are concerned and how Student Care Services may be able to support them. Emphasize that the purpose of the referral is to connect them with helpful resources and support.

You may consider referring a student to Student Care Services if you:

• Are unsure where to refer them for support
• Would like to consult about how to respond to a student’s behavior
• Notice behavior that is concerning or impacting others
• Have concerns about potential safety risks
• Have accompanied or referred a student to Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Have contacted emergency services (911) due to a safety concern
• Would like follow-up to ensure the student connects with appropriate resources

If you are unsure whether to submit a report, we encourage you to contact us. Our goal is to provide early, supportive intervention and connect students with resources before concerns escalate to a crisis level.

In some situations, referrals may be reviewed in collaboration with campus teams such as the Behavioral Consultation and Assessment Team (BCAT) and Threat Assessment & Management Team (TAM).