Faculty and Staff

Stony Brook faculty and staff are vital partners in our shared mission of student success. The Student Support Team is available to assist students facing significant challenges, such as hospitalization or bereavement. While faculty maintain discretion over attendance policies, our team supports the process by collecting documentation, communicating pertinent information to academic departments, and connecting students to helpful resources. We believe student well-being is a collaborative effort. By partnering with you and other university offices, we can provide a comprehensive support system. We encourage you to share any concerns with us so we can support both you and your students.

Concern for a Student

Concerns for students can vary in levels of emergence. Many offices on campus work together to ensure student safety and well-being. The Student Support Team, CARE Team, and the University Police Department are all here to help!

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Long Term Absences

For students facing extended absences due to hospitalization, family illness, or bereavement, communication with the Student Support Team is advised; short-term absences should be addressed directly with faculty. While faculty maintain discretion over attendance policies, our team supports the process by collecting documentation, communicating pertinent information to academic departments, and connecting students to helpful resources.

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The CARE Team

The CARE Team addresses student behavior that may pose a threat to health and safety or disrupts University activity. The CARE Team responds to reports of these concerns through an individualized, coordinated, and thoughtful process that is intended to gather relevant information and intervene when appropriate.

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Frequently Asked Questions For Faculty and Staff

It is appropriate to refer your student to the Student Support Team when they have experienced serious challenges, including hospitalization, mental health concerns, medical emergencies, the death of a loved one, or basic needs insecurity.

We hope you, as our campus partners, will reach out to discuss your concerns and best options for connecting us with the student. Our goal is to ensure that each student effectively balances their own health and well-being with the academic demands of Stony Brook University by connecting them to the appropriate campus resources.

Communication from the Student Support Team is most appropriate when an extended absence is due to a hospitalization, family illness, or death. Students should communicate and work directly with their faculty members in the event of a short-term absence.

We are your campus partners, so please let us know if you are concerned about one of your students. We are here to discuss the situation and ensure the student is connected with the appropriate campus resource.

While the Student Support Team does not have the authority to excuse an absence or extend a deadline, we act as a bridge to connect the student directly with their academic department and faculty member. Our team will accept documentation and write to the academic department, protecting the anonymity of the information and connecting the student with their faculty member to discuss options that may be available to them. Students are clearly informed that any flexibility with assignments is at the discretion of individual faculty members and academic departments.

Yes! We understand Seawolves may face significant hardship during their time as a student at Stony Brook. The Student Support Team is here to listen to their story, provide support, and connect them with resources, including the Student Emergency Support Fund.

Yes. We understand that finding a safe place to sleep and fueling their body with nutrients is crucial for students to thrive academically. We will meet with the student to discuss their particular needs and connect them to supportive resources that may be available.

We welcome the opportunity to connect with our campus partners during staff or faculty meetings. We aim to help faculty and staff understand how our office can be best utilized and how to collaborate to support our students most effectively. Please invite us!