Support for Students

Academic Support

You are encouraged to connect with Academic Advisors throughout your program to make sure you're on track academically. In situations where extenuating circumstances have affected academic participation or success, an academic petition may be an appropriate consideration. Numerous academic support services, like writing and math centres, are available to help you achieve your best academically.

Financial Support

It’s not uncommon for students to struggle financially or with money management. Money management offers resources to help you better understand how to budget, manage your finances, access financial resources and get support in financial emergency. If your safety and wellness are at risk due to emergency financial issues, you can connect with the Dean of Students office for immediate assistance.

Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Support

The Office of Dispute Resolution and Sexual Violence Support (ODRSVS) office can assist if you are experiencing a situation that may be causing you stress. When individuals feel as though they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, personal and professional wellbeing may be compromised. This office is responsible for helping to create an environment that values mutual respect and understanding for the dignity and rights of others. 

Care for Others

Laurier students are a big part of the reason we’re known as a supportive and caring community. Students often help connect each other to the right services and people, especially during challenging situations or circumstances. Recognizing the significant impact that personal challenges (mental health, financial insecurity, personal safety issues etc.) can have on students’ academic and personal success, timely help and a coordinated and caring approach can make a big difference for a student needing support.

You can help connect a student to support by walking them to the appropriate office, offering to help them make a call, or reviewing support options with them.

In cases where you are worried about the safety or well-being of another student, you can seek support from the Dean of Students office on how to best help. We can provide information about resources, talk through different ways of offering support and help come up with a plan.

Care Report

New this year, the Care Report is another option to help you share your concerns or help connect a fellow student to support.

A Care Report is an online form that students, faculty and staff can submit to help ensure students are getting the right support. Before submitting the report, you are encouraged to discuss it with the person you are worried about or referring for support. This helps make sure that the student of concern is not surprised if someone from the Dean of Students office does outreach, and that they are better positioned to welcome the care and support.

Once a Care Report is received from you, it is reviewed by staff in the Dean of Students office to determine next steps. Considerations include whether the student of concern is already connected to our office or to other supports, along with what level of support would be most helpful. Follow up may include:

• Sharing language and resources back to the student referral source.
• Outreach from the Dean of Students office.
• Consultation with faculty or staff connected to the student.

Most importantly, we want to ensure a respectful, coordinated and caring approach in any next steps.

Ultimately, it is up to each student to choose whether they wish to participate with the available support. While most are thankful to learn more about the support options, and indicate feeling encouraged and supported by our staff, some students just aren’t ready to take those next steps. And that’s okay, because we’ll be here for whenever they are.