Referrals
The referral process within Pathways allows for a more intentional way to connect students with other staff on campus and provide coordinated support to students.
Advisors, support staff, and instructors can issue referrals for a student. When a referral is issued, an email notification is sent to the appropriate office, advisor, or residence director. Upon receiving a referral, the office, advisor, or residence director will communicate with the student as outlined in the guidelines delineated in the Referral Table. When the office, advisor, or residence director “closes the referral,” the person who issued the referral will be emailed some brief notes about the support the student received.
If you have an immediate safety concern for a student, do not issue a referral via Pathways. Instead call Campus Police. For more information, review these suggestions for how to proceed.
Making a referral for a student does not violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, the information included in a referral would be subject to a student access request under FERPA. If you are not familiar with FERPA, the Office of the University Registrar has some great information on FERPA Training & Resources. In addition, the Pathways team has developed a robust set of resources on documenting student interactions in Pathways.
Information for instructors
If you are an instructor on the Pittsburgh campus and you are concerned about an undergraduate student enrolled in one of your classes, you can view this new Pathways resource for more information.
How Can Others Make Referrals?
Anyone (such as a TA or those instructors not listed in PeopleSoft) can make a referral (even they do not have access to Pathways). Submit a non-emergency referral using the Academic Advisor referral type. When you complete this form, the student’s advisor will be made aware of your concern.