Campus Life

Student Support Team

What is the Student Support Team?

The Student Support Team helps students who are experiencing challenges get back to thriving by facilitating a coordinated response at both the individual and community level.

Students may encounter situations during their time at Dalhousie where they require additional support. Sometimes it may be sudden, unexpected setbacks, and other times it may be an ongoing challenge that is creating barriers to success and engagement. Dalhousie offers a wide range of supports and resources to help students during these times, and the new Student Support Team is here to assist students in navigating these services.

The Student Support Team also advises on all matters related to the Code of Student Conduct and offers a supportive case management process.

The key functions of the Student Support Team include:

Direct Student Support: Practical problem solving, resource and system navigation support for students experiencing non-academic challenges and barriers.
Holistic case management is a collaborative process involving intake, assessment, planning, and follow-up support. It emphasizes de-escalation and proactive interventions for students experiencing complex, multiple non-academic challenges and barriers impacting academics, behaviour, thriving and success.
Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT) assessments will be utilized to inform and manage issues related to campus safety and concerns related to the Code of Student Conduct.
Capacity Building: Through collaboration, consultations, and a community of practice, ensuring a care-first response across campuses.

What is Case Management at Dalhousie?

Dalhousie Student Support Case Managers provide outreach, information, referrals and support to students who are experiencing barriers to success, both academically and non-academically. Case Managers will work with students to explore options and develop an action plan for navigating and connecting to on-campus or community resources to help them in their specific situation

The Core Commitments of the Student Support Team

We are committed to making each student’s time at Dalhousie the best experience possible. Our work is grounded by these core commitments, which help inform our approach to holistic student support, processes and mechanisms for students seeking assistance, and opportunities for learning and growth.

University is a fun, once in a lifetime experience. Students are excited to be at Dal and we are excited to have them on campus. We will strive to create opportunities for students to build meaningful friendships and memories.
We co-create respectful and inclusive communities of care and concern. Guided by anti-oppressive principles, university is a place where students should feel they belong and matter. Students will develop skills to care for each other and share responsibility to create an inclusive culture with support from Dalhousie.
Dalhousie feels like a place of belonging and focuses on the well-being of the community. Dal is a place where students can be themselves and experience a safe community. Safety can look or feel different for everyone. We will work proactively and responsively to create an experience where students can be well and will also work with students one on one to understand and address individualized needs if concerns arise. Students have a role to play too in taking care of each other.
We understand the importance of learning, growth and transformation. Going to university is a huge transition – students are expected to make mistakes or experience struggles. Students are learning who they are and how they relate to others. We believe there is a way back to community when harm has occurred for most individuals who are willing to learn and grow. Our role is to help students when they need it, to connect them to resources and supports, and ensure students have the opportunity to remain at Dalhousie.
We take a realistic approach to harm reduction because we care about people first. We know that some students will engage in high-risk behaviours while at university. Our first priority is to ensure students and the community are not in distress. When issues arise, we’ll work responsively to follow up and create plans that support healthy behaviour and repair any harm caused. Our goal is to create an environment where students can seek help safely for themselves or others.

When to refer

Anyone within Dalhousie can make a referral to the Student Support Team when they are concerned about a student. The student may be in distress due to emotional issues, health, family or personal relationships, grades, academic standing, non-academic misconduct or other problems.

Please submit a Student Support Referral (NetID login required) when you first notice that a student appears to be in distress as it is often difficult to determine when a student's problem is serious - and it's better to err on the side of caution. Referring to the Student Support Team when you are concerned about a student does not get the student in trouble, but ensures a coordinated response. We are here to help.

NEW Referral Process

Our team is here to support students. Grounded in our core commitments and a holistic Case Management approach our team aims to provide comprehensive and coordinated support to improve the well-being of the individual student, support their academic success, respond to instances of non-academic misconduct, and contribute to an overall improvement in safety and inclusivity on campus.

Referrals can be made through the Student Support Team SharePoint (NetID login required) by students, staff and faculty.

If this is an emergency please contact Dal Security.

Dal Security Halifax - 902-494-4109
Dal Security Truro - 902-893-4190
or download the DalSafe app.

Submit a referral to the Student Support Team

Student Support Referral Form

What happens when I refer a student?

A Case Manager will review the referral and reach out to the student directly within 1-2 business days to assess their support needs and develop a support plan. To protect the student’s privacy, information cannot be shared about whether they have followed up with a Case Manager. If you have an ongoing relationship with the students, you may want to check in with them to ask if they have been able to connect with a Case Manager. If you continue to have concerns about the student, you can submit another referral form or contact the Student Support Team at studentsupport@dal.ca.

Code of Student Conduct

Universities are truly special and diverse communities centred on sharing and discovering knowledge. Dalhousie has committed to a living, learning and working environment that is free of discrimination, harassment and violence and is a place also characterized by understanding, respect, trust, openness and fairness. The Code of Student Conduct aims to help students understand expectations for appropriate (non-academic) behaviour on campus and while engaged in Dalhousie activities.

Student life at university can be complex. Harm can occur and have impacts that create barriers to learning and thriving causing students to require additional support.

We believe that students are responsible for their actions, and we also understand the importance of opportunities for learning, transformation and growth after an incident of misconduct - especially on a university campus.

Members of the university community who have questions or concerns about an experience that may fall under the Code may reach out to the Student Support Team to talk about supports and options. A case manager will meet with you, assess what’s happening, and advise on possible next steps.

What can I do if I have a student concern?

If you have a concern about a student and you are not a Dalhousie student, staff or faculty member you can reach out to the Student Support Team directly at studentsupport@dal.ca.

Dalhousie University