Consultation and Assessment Team
The Consultation and Assessment Team provides support to students in psychological distress and to Rice faculty, staff and students who are concerned about the behavior of a graduate or undergraduate student. When the team is alerted to a concern, the members consult as a team to assess the situation and determine the most effective action. Members of the team have experience in counseling, crisis response and assessment, and they understand the codes and policies of Rice. They have the authority to take necessary and appropriate action.
Team members include:
Other team members may include personnel from:
In cases involving undergraduate students, team members also include:
- Dr. Robin Forman, Dean of Undergraduates
- The student's college masters
In cases involving graduate students, team members also include:
- Dr. Paula Sanders, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- The appropriate academic department chair and/or student's faculty adviser
Note:
- A referral to the team does not necessarily result in a psychological, judicial or criminal case or referral.
Whom to contact regarding immediate concerns:
- If someone is in immediate danger, contact RUPD at 713-348-6000.
- If you are concerned about a student's mental health — especially if you feel the student may be at risk for self-harm — contact the Rice Counseling Center at 713-348-4867.
Both of these contacts are available for after-hours consultation and intervention, as needed.
When to alert the Consultation and Assessment Team:
- When there are reasons to be concerned about a student's well-being or behavior
- When a student has engaged in behavior that is actually or potentially disruptive, harmful or threatening
- When a student's actual or attempted self-injury, including suicidal behavior, may also pose a risk to others; in such cases, contact the Consultation and Assessment Team immediately
Once contacted, the team will determine the most appropriate response to the situation and communicate with other offices on campus that may have contact with the student and be experiencing similar concerns.
The Consultation and Assessment Team will do the following:
- Assess situations involving students who have problems relating to mental or emotional health; may be at risk to harm themselves or others; or are engaging in harmful, threatening or disruptive behavior
- Consult with faculty, staff and students involved in or affected by the situation
- Take necessary action or make recommendations to other university officials about necessary action as defined by Rice policy
- Coordinate the university's response to the situation
Reaching a resolution:
The team will develop a strategy that focuses on the safety and well-being of all involved. Elements of the plan may include assessing violent or threatening behavior, seeking a psychological consultation and working to limit disruption, as well as other necessary actions.
Contacting the team:
Please contact any team member who seems most appropriate for the concern. Or, for more general concerns, please e-mail the entire team at: consultationassessment@rice.edu.
Additional resources:
Other ways to help:
The Suicide Awareness For Everyone at Rice (SAFER) Program
A training program is available for Rice faculty, staff and students who are interested in becoming more aware of suicide and related mental health issues on the Rice campus. The SAFER Program will offer customized trainings that empower attendees to recognize the signs and symptoms of a distressed or suicidal individual, identify appropriate and available on- and off-campus resources for the individual, and feel confident in their own ability to intervene.
Contact the Rice Counseling Center at 713-348-4867 for more information on the SAFER Program.
