Problem
While student affairs professionals should do all they can to mitigate crises, it is unreasonable to think that any higher education institution can prevent all crises from occurring. Therefore, student affairs professionals need to have procedures and plans in place to appropriately serve students in crisis and the larger university community.
You were just informed that Taylor has overdosed on prescription medication. You are the on-call student affairs professional. It is a Saturday night at 11:30 pm. Campus public safety, local police, and EMS personnel are on campus and Taylor has been taken to the hospital. Several of the victim's roommates are huddled outside the dorm.
1. What applicable higher education laws, regulations, and policies and procedures need to be followed?
2. What are the first notifications that need to be made? Consider what cross-functional teams are already involved.
3. What information could the university distribute? Whose responsibility is it? Who has final authority to make decisions?
4. Considering a Christian worldview, what post-care and resources would you recommend for Taylor, her roommates, and the other university students as well as for yourself?
5. How does the plan prepare for and intervene in student affairs crises in the least intrusive manner?