Concerns About a Student

For immediate concerns about a student’s safety or the safety of others, or in the case of a health emergency, instructors or students should call the Yale Police Department at 203-432-4400 or 911.

Instructors who are concerned about a student, whether due to their academic performance, health, or personal matters, are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the support and resources available at Yale College. The first person to call is the student's residential college dean. Each student is affiliated with a residential college, and the residential college deans, located in each of the fourteen residential colleges, are members of the Yale College Dean’s Office. The college deans oversee their students’ academic progress and general welfare. They know their students well and are readily available when an instructor wishes to report any matter relating to a student’s situation. Instructors should note that, while residential college deans may receive reports and information concerning a student, they are constrained from sharing information with others as required by FERPA. Residential college deans are eager to cooperate in any way possible with instructors, and instructors are urged to take full advantage of their assistance. Faculty can find the name of a particular student's residential college dean through the Photo Roster (list view) on the instructor's Canvas course site. The Yale College Dean’s Office Directory provides contact information for the residential college deans. A report may enable the dean to provide the student with timely resources, counseling, or another risk reduction strategy.  

While instructors should first reach out to a student’s residential college dean, there may be situations when that is not possible. If the residential college dean is unavailable, if your concern involves a group of students, or if you have questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs

The following resources also provide a first point of contact or resource for both students and instructors who may need support or guidance in academic, health, or personal matters. Although students are aware of the resources listed below, instructors, if they feel comfortable, may share them when appropriate with students.