If a student’s behavior is dangerous or threatening—including self-harm or harm to others—call 911 or the University’s Behavioral Threat Management Team 3-2868.
Occasionally, an individual student will approach you with special needs or questions, or you may observe behavior that suggests they are in crisis. The University has developed a protocol for managing students in distress.
For resources to support a student in distress, visit the University’s Supporting Students in Distress website and, if warranted, refer to the Red Folder at Penn State.
In cases where the student has requested confidentiality of their academic record (a blue “nightshade” symbol in LionPath or a red asterisk in Canvas roster), you may not share details of the student’s concern or behavior with other instructors or students, including acknowledging that they are enrolled in your class.
For non-urgent concerns, there are several options from which to choose:
Managing Classroom Emergencies
While unlikely, it’s important to set expectations with your students and develop a plan in the event of an emergency. The college has prepared a slide deck template for use in the Westgate Building, but it can be modified for any location in which you are teaching. You can view the template here. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 and follow instructions.
