Student Assistance

623 S. Wabash Ave, Suite 307
(312) 369-8595
studentassistance@colum.edu

Monday-Friday | 9:00am to 5:00pm

• Excessive absences 
• Missed assignments 
• Conflict with instructor 
• Lack of academic progress

• Homelessness 
• Food insecurity 

• Atypical or concerning behaviors
• Code of Conduct matters

• Roommate conflicts 
• Issues with faculty or staff 
• Challenges in romantic relationships

• Adjustment to college 
• Stress surrounding graduation
• Caring for an ill family member
• Death in the family

• Receive and take action on alerts received from faculty regarding student concerns in class
• Provide outreach and support to students who may be experiencing difficulty
• Offer appropriate referrals for resources at Columbia and within the greater Chicago community
• Communicate and advocate for students' well-being with faculty and staff
• Administer matters of student accountability through prescribed college policies and procedures, using professional discretion and student development theories to create outcomes appropriate for students’ individual success
• Foster a student's ability to address and manage behaviors that may be impacting others
• Offer consultation for parents, faculty, and staff who express concerns for a student
• Provide resources for students that become homeless or experience food insecurity
• Develop relationships with community organizations for case coordination and continuity of care

Student Assistance and Community Standards (SACS) recognizes that the period of life when a student is in college can be challenging but also a time of significant development.  The SACS staff believe that personal growth is part of the educational successes achieved during the college years. SACS staff will be responsible for implementing processes that strive to build equitable, safe, and responsive environments conducive to learning and student success. SACS staff will facilitate non-clinical case management in addressing faculty submitted alerts, verifying student absences, making appropriate referrals, following-up with students who become victim to crime, and other concerns impacting a student’s success. SACS staff will work with students to establish accountability goals related to class attendance, time management, unplanned absences, navigating personal challenges, and other issues potentially hindering their persistence.

SACS staff will be responsible for promoting a campus climate of civility, integrity, responsibility, and social justice through the administration of the Student Code of Conduct. Through education and adjudication, SACS staff will lead a comprehensive approach toward helping students be accountable for their words, actions, and behaviors.