Student Assistance Team (SAT)

The SAT accepts referrals from any FSU community member who is concerned about classroom behavior, or the health or safety of a Framingham State University Student.
Once the concern is reported, the SAT will review the information and take appropriate action. The information you provide will be moved to the office or person who is most appropriate for managing the situation. Actions may include contacting the person making the referral, the referred student, or any others identified that may have relevant information.

The Student Assistance Team is not designed to respond to emergency or urgent situations.  If you need to report an imminent threat, emergency, or life-endangering situation please call University Police at 508-626-4911. 

To report a student of concern to the SAT, please complete the Student of Concern Report Form available on myFramingham.  If you would like a consultation, please contact on of the SAT Co-chairs directly.

Dr. LaDonna Bridges, Dean of Student Success and Persistence, 508-626-4906
Jay Hurtubise, M.Ed., Assistant Dean of Students, 508-626-4596

SAT Mission
The mission of the Framingham State University Student Assistance Team is to identify and respond to students of concern in a coordinated manner in order to promote student safety, success, and community well-being. Specifically, the team provides a mechanism for various community stakeholders (e.g., faculty, staff, students) to share information and refer students who are identified as in need of additional support in conjunction with what is offered by existing offices in academic and/or co-curricular aspects of student life. The goal of the team is to arrange for such support through a process of assessment, collaboration, assistance, ongoing monitoring, and appropriate communication with the referral source.

What does the SAT do?

  • Provides consultation and support to members of the University Community who are aware of and report students of concern.
  • Responds to reports made of students in distress; gathers information to assess situations involving students of concern; engages reported students in a process to provide support, promote success, and modify any concerning behaviors.
  • Recommends appropriate intervention(s).
  • Connects University community members with available campus and community resources.
  • Monitors ongoing distress or behaviors of students of concern.
  • Communicates appropriately with referral sources for follow up on reported issues.

The SAT does not replace existing student conduct processes, classroom management, public safety responses, or other programs or services. SAT is not an emergency response team. Any emergency incident should be referred immediately to University Police at 508-626-4911.

Student Assistance Team Membership Core Team:

Dr. LaDonna Bridges, Co-Chair, Dean of Student Success and Persistence
Jay Hurtubise, Co-Chair, Assistant Dean of Students
Benjamin Day, Director of FSU Counseling Center
Dr. Susan Dargan, Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences & Education
Stephanie Crane, Assistant Director, Residence Life
Dr. Peter Gillies, Coordinator of Community Standards & Student Support
Sarah Ripton, Coordinator of Student Support Initiatives, Dean of Students Office
Dr. Charles Sachs, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Dr. James McQuaid, Faculty Representative

When to be concerned
As a faculty or staff member who may have regular contact with students, you are in a good position to recognize when a student is in distress. A student's behavior, especially if it is inconsistent with your previous observations, could be a sign that the student is struggling and needs help.

Signs suggesting a student may be in distress

Academic:

  • Not attending classes
  • Increased dependence on a faculty/staff member (e.g., making numerous appointments, hanging around your office or after class)
  • Excessive procrastination
  • Uncharacteristically poor school work
  • Inconsistent school work
  • Repeated requests for special consideration
  • Repeated confiding in faculty/staff about personal problems
  • Worrisome or unusually personal content presented verbally or in written assignments
  • Behavior that disrupts class
  • Complaints from other students about the student in question
  • Repeated lateness to class
  • Falling asleep in class 

Behavioral (what you observe):

  • Significant change in physical appearance (e.g., poor grooming or hygiene, excessive change in weight)
  • Excessive energy (e.g., loud tone of voice, high level of activity, rapid speech)
  • Inability to focus in a conversation or activity
  • Thinking or speech that is disorganized, difficult to follow, or aggressive
  • Strong mistrust of other people
  • Irritable, sad, or depressed mood
  • Inappropriate responses and/or display of intense emotion
  • Slurred speech, unsteady gate, or other indications of substance use (If concerned about immediate safety call University Police 508-626-4911)
  • Threatening to others (If concerned about immediate safety call University Police 508-626-4911)
  • Violent or aggressive outbursts (If concerned about immediate safety call University Police 508-626-4911)
  • Reference to suicide or homicide (verbally or in written communication; direct or indirect) – contact University Police at 508-626-4911 or the Counseling Center 508-626-4640 during business hours.

Student’s Experience (what is reported to you):