M 2 Frequently Asked Questions

 2.11 MODULE 2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help a student struggling with food or housing insecurity?

A Chancellor's Office study Links to an external site. found that food insecurity and housing insecurity or homelessness both play a significant role in the lives of students in the California State University system, and the study explored best practices for campus-based interventions.  The result at CSUN is the CSUN With a Heart initiative and website, which directs students to resources regarding food, housing, and emergency financial assistance.  Directing students to these resources in your syllabus or on your Canvas site can be very impactful, and you can find suggestions for how to do so here. 

 

If a student seeks counseling services, are they confidential?  Does anything appear on their academic record?

No record of a student having sought support from University Counseling Services (UCS) goes on their academic record. UCS services are confidential, meaning that most things students share are private with limited exceptions. Therefore, no records or information about a student will be released from UCS without student’s permission with the following exceptions below:

  • If a client presents a serious danger to themselves.
  • If a client presents a serious threat of violence to another person or property.
  • If there is reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of minor children (persons under age 18), dependent adults (persons over age 18 who are in the legal custody of another person), or elderly persons (65 years of age or older).
  • If there is reasonable suspicion that a client has engaged in preparing, selling, accessing, streaming, downloading, viewing, and/or distributing material of a minor engaged in "obscene" acts, including modeling the act or posing for a video, painting, or drawing of an obscene act; this includes "sexting" involving a minor.
  • If a client is determined to be gravely disabled (as a result of a mental disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism, and is unable to provide for basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter).
  • If a valid subpoena is issued for a client’s records, or records are otherwise subject to a court order or other legal process requiring disclosure.

 

What should I do if I have a concern that a student might harm themselves?

According to University Counseling Services (UCS):

Ask student specifically if they are having suicidal thoughts (e.g., thoughts of ending their life or killing themselves). One example of a way to ask this question includes the following: “I can see you are going through a very difficult time, are you having any thoughts of ending your life/killing yourself?”  Please know that asking the question is not going to put the idea in their head. Rather, asking the question shows you care, opens up communication, and often lowers the risk.

If a student says yes to having suicidal thoughts, ask them to tell you about their thoughts, and listen for plan and/or intent. Let them know that due to your concerns you will be consulting with UCS. To consult during regular hours, dial (818) 677-2366, press option 1, and identify who you are and indicate that you would like to speak to a UCS counselor regarding concerns for a student. When consulting, please provide name of student and specific details of their communication (e.g., suicidal thoughts). If it is outside of business hours (after 5 pm, M-F; weekend; or holiday), please call UCS 24/7 crisis line at (818) 677-2366 and press option 3 to consult with a crisis counselor about concerns for the student. You can also provide the student with this 24/7 crisis line. If you have imminent concerns about a student, please call campus police at (818) 677-2111 or dial 911.

If a student says no to having suicidal thoughts, please let them know about UCS and refer them to the UCS website for an overview of services.  

 

What should I do if I notice that a student is really struggling emotionally, but it isn't necessarily an emergency?

Let the student know that you care and that you've noticed that they seem to be going through a difficult time, and that UCS is a free resource for students where they can talk to a counselor about their concerns in a supportive and confidential manner. Please let them know that UCS is currently offering both (virtual) telemental health and in-person services and that they can call to schedule an initial appointment at (818) 677-2366 (Option 1) and can reach 24/7 crisis counseling by selecting Option 3.

 

In the online environment, what are signs that might indicate a student is in distress?

Given the still-present virtual environment, faculty members may find that they notice a change in a student’s demeanor, behavior, or non-verbal communication. If there is any concern, we encourage faculty to reach out to the student to check-in with them about how they are doing via e-mail. If the concern is significant, it is recommended that the faculty member e-mail the student and ask for a phone number to speak to them by phone. If there are any imminent concerns about a student’s safety, please call campus police at (818) 677-2111 or dial 911.

Specific signs faculty can look for when meeting students online:

1. Direct statements: any direct statements expressed by a student (communicated verbally in class or through email) that indicate they may be in distress or having suicidal thoughts

2. Indirect statements: any indirect statements that may indicate a student is in distress or may be having suicidal thoughts

  • "I wish I were dead."
  • "I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on.”
  • "Who cares if I’m dead anyway."
  • “I just want out.”
  • “I won’t be around much longer."
  • “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me.”
  • “Things will never get better.”
  • “I just don’t want to struggle anymore.”
  • “No one would care if I were not here."
  • “I’m a burden on everyone.”
  • “Everyone would be better off without me.”

3. Additional Warning Signs 

  • Academic Problems (which can often be indicative of a deeper personal problem that is making it hard for the student to concentrate or to be motivated to do what is necessary to fulfill their academic potential)
  • Significant decline in academic performance—quality of academic work is inconsistent with prior work
  • Decrease in class attendance, excessive tardiness
  • Repeated requests for special accommodations such as extensions
  • Missing Exams, not turning in assignments or completing them late
  • Hopelessness
  • Despair
  • Shame
  • Humiliation
  • Purposelessness—No Reason For Living

 

What health and wellness services are available to CSUN students?  

Free services include:

  • Primary Care: Doctor/Nurse Practitioner Visits
  • Birth Control Education & Pregnancy Options Counseling
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Exams
  • Sports Medicine
  • In-house Lab Services
  • X-Rays
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Nutrition Counseling
  • Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation

Low Cost Services Include:

  • Dental Clinic                                                                                                                                                             
  • Optometry Clinic
  • Flu Shots
  • Immunizations
  • Specialty Gynecology
  • Outside Lab Services        
  • Pharmacy    

 

 

If a student discloses to me that they are undocumented and asks for help or resources, what is available to them on the CSUN campus?

Immigration status does not make students ineligible to enroll in an institution of higher education in California, where students may qualify for in-state tuition rates and state financial aid. More information can be found in the links below: 

The resources mentioned throughout this Canvas site are available to all CSUN students and this includes undocumented students.  For specific support related to being an undocumented student, you can refer students to the DREAM Center for peer mentoring and referrals to legal and/or counseling services.

To make an appointment with the DREAM Center staff, have the student email dreamcenter@csun.edu at least 48 hours in advance, and a staff member will contact them to schedule a Zoom or phone call. 

For any legal questions, including completing an initial or renewal DACA application or adjusting status, they can make an appointment with the CARECEN Legal Team here Links to an external site.. 

 

How can lectures be designed to be more sensitive to the needs of students impacted by immigration? 

The DREAM Center offers the following advice:

  • Be mindful of your language; say “undocumented” or "DREAMER" rather than “illegal” and avoid terms like “alien,” "illegal alien," or “illegal immigration”
  • Don’t ask undocumented students to self-identify
  • Include the DREAM Center's information on your syllabi
  • Do not misinform students if you are unsure of the answers to their questions; instead, refer them to the EOP DREAM Center for assistance
  • Understand that trust takes time
  • Do all you can to identify YOURSELF as an ally/supporter; use posters, bookmarks, and stickers to make your support visible.  Find ways to make your allyship visible in the online learning environment.

 

Does the Veterans Resource Center offer any training for faculty working with student veterans?

Yes, the Veterans Resource Center offers Joining Forces, where faculty can learn about military culture, the transition to student life, and how to be a better ally to student veterans.

 

Does CSUN have gender-inclusive bathrooms?

Yes, and they are all identified on the Gender-inclusive Restroom Locations map.

 

How can I create a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ students?

The Pride Center offers the following advice:

  • Rather than calling roll from your roster, have students introduce themselves with their name, and invite them to share their pronouns if they wish.  You can model this yourself by sharing your name and pronouns first. Not all students go by the name on the class roster and might not know they can add a preferred name. For large classes, you can have students fill out an index card with their name and pronouns.
  • Share your pronouns on your syllabi, Zoom name, and email signature. Have questions about pronouns? Check out this helpful website Links to an external site..
  • Include the Pride Center information on your syllabi as a resource.

 

Can students be officially recognized by a preferred name?

Yes. Students can have their preferred name listed on class rosters, in the student directory, and can have their email address updated to reflect their preferred name as well. Students can follow this tutorial on the Admissions and Records page. The Pride Center can also assist them with this process.