What Constitutes a Concern?
Information on recognizing the signs of distress.
The following behaviors can all be important signs of distress. As a member of the New Jersey Institute of Technology community, you may notice a student exhibiting one or more of the academic, physical, or emotional signs and decide that something is clearly wrong.
Troubling Behaviors:
- Student that is constantly falling asleep in class
- A dramatic change in energy level (high or low)
- Deterioration in personal hygiene or physical appearance
- Frequent state of alcohol intoxication or suspic
- Potential self-harm: noticeable cuts, bruises or burns on a student
- Repeated absences from class, work study, or normal activities
- Apathy/extreme change in participation levels
- Student seeking frequent extensions or exceptions for extenuating circumstances
- Student sending communication such as frequent, lengthy, “ranting” or agitated types of emails to professors, advisors, coachers, or work supervisors
- Emotional outbursts (anger or hostility, frequent crying)
- Extreme personality changes; more withdrawn or more animated than usual
- Expressed hopelessness, fear or worthlessness; themes of suicide, death and dying
- Direct statements related to distress, family issues, or other difficulties
Disruptive Behaviors
- Interferes with or disrupts the educational process and rights of other students or the normal functions of the University
- Demanding, verbally abusive, bullying or intimidating behaviors
- Displays of extreme irritability
- Irrational or impulsive behaviors
Threatening Behaviors
- Signs of physical abuse
- Physical/verbal confrontations
- Direct threats of harming self or others
- Concerns about references to access or use of a weapon or act of violence
- Threatening communication
It is important to note that the University does not expect you to assume the role of counselor, therapist or police officer. For those responsibilities, NJIT has trained professionals who are ready to assist you with students who are of concern to you.
For further concerns, please feel free to call Dean Boger at 973-596-3470.