CARES Team
CARES Team
College is when students test their independence and strive to find themselves. It's not uncommon for these journeys to have rough points. The overall well-being of our students here at Rutgers University Camden (RUC) is of the utmost importance to our office.
The Dean of Students Office CARES (Concern, Assessment, Response, Education, Services) Team is here to support students throughout their journey at RUC and help them make the most of their time by obtaining the care, referrals, resources, and answers they seek. The CARES Team works closely with faculty, staff, students, departments, and families across the campus community to create partnerships and support our RUC students.
It is vital to our CARES Team that all students know and understand that they are an important part of the RUC community.
CARES Camden Student Concern Report
Why Would a Student Contact the Dean of Students CARES Team?
Students may always reach out to the CARES Team for support and guidance. Below are just a few examples of why a student might reach out:
- They are ill and will be missing class
- They have a temporary condition (sprains, broken bones, surgical recovery, etc.)
- They have a question about the University policy for religious observances
- They are concerned about the well-being of another student or campus community member (faculty, staff, etc.)
- They don’t know where to get help with basic needs (housing, food, etc.)
- They have witnessed or heard about a concerning incident
What Is a Student Concern That Should Be Reported to the Dean of Students Office?
The Dean of Students Office serves as an initial point of contact for students at potential risk of concern. A student concern may be reported by faculty, staff, students, or other campus community members and includes any challenge potentially hindering a student's academic progress. The CARES Team aims to identify students experiencing challenges and intervene by providing them with the necessary resources, advocacy, referrals, options, and support.
Student concerns handled by the CARES Team may include but are not limited to:
- Academics (i.e., repeated absences from class, missed assignments, deterioration in work quality and/or quantity, etc.)
- Medical: Physical/Mental (i.e., illness, deterioration in appearance or hygiene, excessive fatigue, exhaustion, falling asleep in class repeatedly, visible weight changes, frequent or chronic illness, noticeable cuts, burns, or bruises, etc.)
- Behavioral/Emotional (i.e., statements indicating distress, family problems, or loss, aggression/hostile outburst/yelling, expressions of hopelessness, severe anxiety, or irritability, etc.)
- Possible Substance Abuse (i.e., tension in relationships with friends, staff, etc., due to use, continued use despite negative consequences such as student conduct, DUI, or physical problems, avoidance, denial, blacking out, etc.)
When in doubt, consult with the Dean of Students Office at (856) 225-6050, or via our CARES Camden Student Concern Report form.
Reporting
If you are concerned for the immediate health and safety of the student you are reporting or someone else, please call 911 or the Rutgers Police Department at 856-225-6009.
Find out more about the different forms you can use to report concerns and address specific needs.
Dean of Students
Campus Center, Third Floor
326 Penn Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-225-6050