Molloy Care Team

After a report is submitted, members of the CARE Team review the information for both risk and urgency during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., when the University is open. It is important to note that a CARE Team report should not be used in situations where there is concern that a student may be in imminent danger. If there is any uncertainty about a student’s immediate safety, please contact Public Safety at 516-323-3500. Public Safety will assess the situation and ensure that the appropriate staff or team member responds.

Possible Interventions may include (but are not limited to):

• Provide guidance and education to the individual submitting the referral.
• Reach out to the student to offer a meeting, share available resources, or assess their needs.
• Connect with campus offices, support services, or other members of the Molloy community who interact with the student to gather additional information or coordinate support.
• Refer the matter to the Dean of Students Office if the concern may involve a potential student conduct issue.
• Request a welfare or safety check if the situation warrants immediate follow-up.
• Review the student’s progress in other courses to understand the broader academic context and identify any additional concerns.

*A member of the CARE team may also reach out to the community member who submitted the report to ask follow-up questions and get clarification as needed.

The CARE Team is aware of the fear and apprehension that can accompany situations of concern. Regardless of the severity or seriousness of a situation, the anxiety and worry experienced by those submitting a report can be intense or unsettling. As the team gathers information and makes decisions about interventions and recommendations to administrators, judgements are made in accordance with university policies.

Sometimes individuals submitting a CARE Team report have a specific outcome in mind, such as removing a student from a classroom, requiring the student to meet with the Counseling Center, suspending the student from Molloy, or something similar. While these outcomes are possible, there are important distinctions the University must make between behavior that does not align with community expectations and behavior that presents a legitimate danger. Certain actions may also have unintended consequences or may further agitate an individual of concern. Students are guaranteed by law and by Molloy policy rights to privacy and to a fair process as outlined in the Student Handbook. For example, removing a student from campus without meeting with them to hear their perspective may violate those rights.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when responding to situations of concern. Some reports may initially seem alarming, but after assessment, the student may not actually pose a threat. Each situation requires interventions tailored to the individual and the surrounding context. Some students may be receptive to professional support and continue with their academic progress, some may choose to take a leave of absence, and others may be removed from campus if necessary. Monitoring changes in behavior following a CARE Team report is an essential component of the team’s work, and ongoing assessments occur as updates are received.

The legal rights of students are also central to the CARE Team’s response. Although campus safety is of paramount importance, concerns must be balanced with an understanding of students’ rights, including privacy protections, safeguards against discrimination, and adherence to due process outlined in the Student Handbook. These requirements may limit the amount of information that can be shared with others about the CARE Team’s assessment, any care or support a student may already be receiving, or the specific outcomes of the team’s recommendations.

Many scenarios assessed by the CARE Team can be resolved in a relatively short period of time, while others may require an extended response as new information emerges or circumstances evolve. In numerous cases, positive outcomes are achieved by connecting students with the appropriate support systems and resources that help address concerning behavior or underlying challenges. There are also situations in which the CARE Team determines that a student does not actually pose a risk of harm, even when their behavior may initially appear concerning. In cases where no risk or very low risk is identified, the student is often referred to other offices or services equipped to provide the support most appropriate to their needs.