You are encouraged to report any concerning behavior regardless of how severe you perceive the behavior. The behavior you are observing may not be an isolated incident. Reporting may help establish a pattern and ensure that individuals get the assistance they need. We encourage you to report concerns early and often.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
Care Team
Reporting a Concern
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to contact the Care Team to share information if they feel outreach or follow-up may be of assistance to an individual. Behavior you observe is not likely to be an isolated incident. Reporting behaviors you observe may help to establish a pattern; ensuring individuals get the assistance they need.
When should I report a concern?
Is sharing information with the Care Team a violation of FERPA?
No. If you are concerned about a student, sharing that concern with the Care Team does not violate a student's right to privacy under FERPA.
FERPA does not prohibit faculty and staff from sharing information obtained from personal knowledge or observation and not from a student's education record. Sharing your student concerns with the Care Team helps to ensure that students are provided the support they may need to be successful.
Who should I report my concern to?
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to share their concern(s) via this referral form.
What information is important to include when reporting my concern?
Some examples of information include:
- The individual's name
- If the individual is a student or staff member
- Details regarding the specific behavior(s)
- When and where the behavior(s) took place
- How that individual responded to your concerns
If you are in doubt of what to share, the more information we are able to collect about the individual the better able we are to assist them.
Will the individual know that I've reported the concern?
In most cases, no. In order to promote a culture of reporting the team will do their best to keep reports confidential. However, there are some instances when the team will be unable to ensure confidentiality. If you are concerned about your identity being shared, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with the Dean of Students Office.
Will I find out what happens or what action was taken?
Due to FERPA regulations, members of the the Care Team are not permitted to discuss with you the response or outcome of your reported concern. However, the Care Team encourages you to follow up directly with the individual to discuss your concern.
