The goal of the Spartan Support Program is to identify students in the UTampa community who appear to be struggling and intervene before the student reaches a crisis level.

We rely on the support and participation of our campus community members for the referral and intervention process. Campus community members can include, but are not limited to faculty or staff, Resident Assistants (RA), Campus Safety, a friend, or a family member. We encourage anyone who is concerned about a student to complete a referral. This process may look something like this.

Referral Process

1. A student concern is identified
   Student concerns can be identified through direct observation or student disclosure.
2. Referral to the Spartan Support Program
   Refer a student by filling out the Spartan Support Program Form, calling the office at (813) 257-3901, or emailing ssp@ut.edu.
3. Referral is reviewed and assigned to the appropriate case manager(s)
   The director of Student Care and Advocacy reviews the referral and assigns it to the appropriate case manager(s). Case managers include the Non-Clinical Case Manager, Clinical Case Manager, Victim Advocate, Director of Medical Services, as well as representatives from the offices of Academic Success and Access and Community Programs.
4. Case Manager(s) will reach out to the student
   The assigned case manager(s) will begin the Spartan Support Process and reach out to the student via their Spartan email address. Depending on the situation, the student may also be reached out to via phone.

Spartan Support Process

1. Outreach to the student
   Assigned case manager(s) will reach out to students and explain Spartan Support Program services and available resources.
2. Meetings with the student
   The student chooses to meet with the case manager(s) and is provided with the opportunity to discuss their situation. The case manager(s) will ask questions and provide support and resources.
3. Consultation with campus partners
   Sometimes, connection with campus partners is needed to ensure student success. The case manager(s) may coordinate with each other and/or reach out to campus partners to ensure the student is connected to the right support systems across campus.
4. Connection and follow up
   Depending on the situation, the case manager(s) may schedule a follow up meeting with the student, or they may follow up via email. The student is always welcome to reach back out for further guidance or support.

It is important to note that every student situation is unique, and case managers work with each student to provide individualized support. Sometimes, campus partners will be brought into the conversation to best assist a student. The Spartan Support Case Management Team meets weekly to discuss any safety concerns and to ensure all appropriate resources have been provided. This team is made up of representatives from the offices of Student Care and Advocacy, Counseling Services, Wellness Services, Medical Services, Residence Life, Student Conduct, Campus Safety, Operations, Access and Community Programs, Academic Success and Title IX. 

The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is convened in situations where a student has been identified as an immediate threat to the University community. This threat may take a variety of forms and is determined based on the student’s reported behaviors in consultation with the Spartan Support Program case management committee. The BIT is composed of selected members of the case management committee with the addition of the assistant vice president for Student Affairs and the dean of students and the director of Campus Safety. Other members may be added depending on the nature of the incident and the areas of the University that could be potentially affected.

In rare instances, it may be necessary to consider the Involuntary Withdrawal Policy.

To contact the BIT, please call Monnie Huston Wertz, chair of the BIT, at (813) 253-6203 or email mhwertz@ut.edu. In cases of emergency, please call 911.

If you have a feeling that something is “off” or out of the ordinary behavior range of a student, you are usually correct. You can help that student by referring them to the Spartan Support Program. This program is not punitive but designed to be proactive and offer support and assistance to students. Some observed behaviors that indicate distress may include:

Academic Signs

• Reduction in quality/quantity of work
• Repeated absences
• Bizarre, oddly-worded or threatening email messages
• Continual requests for assignment extensions or course adjustments with no documentation

Physical Signs

• Impairment due to suspected substance use
• Dramatic change in energy level in either direction
• Falling asleep in class
• Noticeable physical injuries (bruises, cutting marks on arms or legs, burns)
• Changes in hygiene habits

Emotional Signs

• Direct statements about current issues (family, relationships, mental state, financial, roommates)
• Changes in behavioral patterns or habits
• Inappropriate emotional responses in any direction (exaggerated anger, sadness or flat effects)
• Resistance to change or boundaries
• Displays of paranoia or distrust
• Online postings that indicate distress, violent ideations or expressions of self-harm
• Preoccupation with violent events, violence and/or weapons
• Strained interpersonal relationships, isolating behaviors or decreasing self-image

It is important to note that data from the Spartan Support Program is considered confidential and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protections would apply to all educational records kept by the University. Students can find information about how to add someone to have FERPA access here. 

In some cases, when there is significant concern about individual or community health, the director of Student Care and Advocacy or designee may place a hold on a student’s account. This hold will require students to obtain health clearance for removal. This hold is most frequently applied as a result of a withdrawal with medical justifications but may be used in other circumstances.

Please note that while the Spartan Support hold is in effect, the student will not be able to register for classes. We hope the student will be able to return to studies at The University of Tampa after a Health Clearance Form has been completed by a healthcare professional treating the student’s condition and approved by the health clearance committee. To complete the health clearance process, the student must complete the following four steps:

1. Contact the Spartan Support Office at least three weeks prior to the first day of classes for the semester the student wishes to attend, indicating the desire to re-enroll at The University of Tampa.
2. Have the practitioner in charge of treatment submit a completed Health Clearance Form. You may obtain a Health Clearance Form by downloading it.
3. Sign a form authorizing the release of information so that a representative from the UTampa Health and Wellness Center can speak to the practitioner in charge of treatment. This release may be obtained from the practitioner or by calling UTampa Health and Wellness Center at (813) 253-6250 if needed. 
4. Contact the Spartan Support Office to verify that the Health Clearance Form and Release of Information Form have been received and answer any remaining questions. The University retains the right to grant final clearance. Therefore, it may be necessary for a representative of the UTampa Health and Wellness Center to conduct an evaluation interview prior to re-enrollment.

If there are any questions about the implementation or removal of holds placed by the director of Student Care and Advocacy or designee, please do not hesitate to call the Spartan Support Program at (813) 257-3901 or email at ssp@ut.edu.