Student Well-Being and Emergencies
Students and families may access RWU community resources, including support and crisis counseling, and medical leave of absence assistance. We strive to ensure our students have the right tools to prepare them for life at RWU and for post-graduation.
Current families are able to work with the Office of Student and Family Assistance in order to help students succeed.
Campus Resources
RWU Assisting Students of Concern (reporting form)
RWU Student Emergency Request Fund
RWU Student Programs Online Events & Resources
Off-campus/Home Counseling Referral Directories
JED Foundation Mental Health Resources
Mental Health First Aid Resources & Info
Emergency Extended Class Absence Notifications
Unforeseen events or circumstances may occur that cause a student to be absent from class. These could include illness, bereavement, accident, or other emergency situations. If such issues arise, students are encouraged to notify their instructors as soon as possible to apprise them of the circumstances leading to their absence from classes and to develop a plan, with a timetable, to make up missed work.
Each instructor has the authority to make decisions about students' absences and how the absence will affect students' grades. The Emergency Faculty Notification does not constitute an excused absence, but notifies the faculty member that the student is working with appropriate support and documented circumstances.
How to initiate an Emergency Extended Notification
Contact the Administrative Assistant for Student Life, Nancy Costa, 401-254-3042 or ncosta@rwu.edu for assistance with emergency extended faculty notifications. Be prepared to provide a description of the emergency circumstances. If possible, include the estimated length of time of the absence from classes (minimum one week or 3 consecutive class meetings). Unless it is a unique circumstance, requests for faculty notifications can only be made from the student, not by their family members or friends.
After receiving appropriate documentation, a class absence notification to faculty will be sent, informing them of the absence and the period of time the student is anticipating missing class.
Note:
· An Emergency Notification is not appropriate for non-emergency situations (e.g. car problems, planned absences, minor illnesses, or a past absence).
· An Emergency Notification is not a request or mandate to excuse an absence. (This decision is the sole responsibility of the instructor).
· An Emergency Notification is not a requirement for students. If a student contacts instructors about an emergency situation directly, it is not necessary to involve the Director of Student and Family Assistance to resolve the absence.