PLEASE NOTE: The Counseling Center will not receive your report directly. However, if the concern you are reporting is related to mental health, the Director of Counseling is a member of CARE Team and will be informed. Continue reading for more information. 

While we at the Counseling Center cannot usually do anything with the information you give us about a student due to confidentiality constraints, there are avenues that allow you to report a situation to the appropriate parties.

At the Counseling Center, so as to abide by ethical and legal considerations, we cannot confirm or deny that a student is being seen – and can only share information about a student in very few and specific circumstances:

  • If we are told by the student that they are wanting to harm themselves or harm others.
  • If the student tells us about current abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.
  • As the result of a court order.

The following links allow you to report your concerns about a student to the appropriate place, which will allow them to be addressed by the appropriate individuals. If you feel that a student should be seen for an appointment, please give the student our contact information and have them contact us to move forward. Mention to them that we are a free and confidential service. We thank you for your concern and for wanting to help our students succeed.

The purpose of the CARE Team (formerly the Behavioral Intervention Team “BIT”) is to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with students exhibiting concerning behaviors, thoughts, or facing hardships.  The team will provide regular communication between University partners, identify resources, and provide support for students needing care or who are experiencing distress.

Student crisis and distress may include: any event involving a student that threatens the well-being of one or more individuals, or the university community as a whole.  This may include personal crisis and/or behavioral issues.  Specific examples include: Anniversary of Traumatic Event, Body Image/Eating Disorder, Concerning Behavior in Class, COVID related issues, Death of a Student, Depression or Anxiety, Drug and Alcohol Issues, Family Issues, Financial Issue, Food or Housing Insecurity, Homicidal Ideation, Hygiene/Changes in Appearance, Injury or Illness, Mental Health Hospitalization, Not Attending Classes, Partner/Romantic Issues, Personal Tragedy, Physical Assault or other Acts of Violence, Roommate Issues, Self Injurious Behaviors, Suicide Attempt or Ideation, Title IX related issues, or significant event that might impact a student’s ability to stay in school.

More information about the CARE Team function can be found at https://www.missouriwestern.edu/student-services/care/.

Submit a CARE Report

When students choose to accept admission to Missouri Western State University, they accept the rights and responsibilities of the University’s academic and social community.

The Missouri Western State University Student Code of Conduct applies to conduct that occurs on University premises, at University-sponsored activities, and off-campus conduct that adversely affects the University community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Missouri Western State University students are responsible to adhere to the Code of Conduct at all times, not just while on the Missouri Western State University campus. Violations that occur off-campus and are reported to Student Affairs may be adjudicated through the student conduct process. Each student shall be responsible for their conduct from the time of enrollment through the actual awarding of a degree, to include the academic year and periods between terms of actual enrollment.

Potential Conduct Violations include: Academic Dishonesty, Alcohol, Animals, Arson, Assault, Bicycle, Scooter, Wheeled Devices, Disruptive Behavior/Disorderly Conduct, Drugs, Election Tampering, Fire Alarms and Fire Equipment, Firearms and Weapons; Flammable Materials and Fireworks, Fraud/Forgery/False Information, Gambling, Harassment, Health and Safety, Indecent Behavior, Misuse of Technology, Policies, Laws, and Requests, Residential Life Policy, Sexual Misconduct, Theft or Misappropriation, Threat, Tobacco and Vaping, Unlawful Entry/Presence In and Use of University Facilities/Misuse of Keys, Vandalism/Damage to Property. More information about the Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.missouriwestern.edu/saem/dean-of-students/.

Report a Policy Violation

The Disrupted Attendance Resource Team (DART) was designed to assist students navigate campus resources if they are going to be unable to attend class.  Reasons for assistance include bereavement, pregnancy, parenting, illness, injury, accident, natural disaster, or similar situations.  To request a Disrupted Attendance Notification, students should submit this form.  Faculty and staff should not submit this form on students’ behalf.

More information about DART can be found at https://www.missouriwestern.edu/saem/student-assistance/.

Disrupted Attendance Notification Form

Missouri Western State University is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex. Missouri Western considers sex discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. Sex discrimination constitutes a violation of this policy, is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, gender identity, and failure to conform to stereotypical notions of femininity and masculinity.

Sexual harassment, whether verbal, physical, or visual, that is based on sex is a form of prohibited sex discrimination. Sexual harassment also includes sexual violence. The specific definitions of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including examples of such conduct, are available in the Missouri Western State University Sexual Misconduct Policy & Complaint Resolution Procedures.

You may complete the form (linked below) to file a complaint of discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct. You may also file a complaint in person, by phone, or by email to the Title IX Coordinator, Missouri Western State University, Blum Student Union 228, 816-271-4432, amcgowan@missouriwestern.edu.

More information about Title IX can be found at https://www.missouriwestern.edu/student-services/titleix/.

Submit a Title IX Report
Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Partners in Prevention

Partners in Prevention is Missouri's higher education substance abuse consortium dedicated to creating healthy and safe college campuses.

Learn More

Counselors at Missouri Western do a great deal of counseling. They assist students with any personal problem which may be interfering with their academic pursuits.

Counselors do not share information about students with anyone except other counseling staff. For example, if the faculty member or coach refers a student, information will not be shared with the referring party without the consent of the student. An exception to this policy occurs if the student is deemed a danger to themselves or someone else. At this point, a counselor has the duty to warn and this will usually involve sharing confidential information. Counseling records may also be subpoenaed.

Counselors at Missouri Western do not provide long-term therapy. Typically, the counseling sessions run from 5 to 8 weeks. Counselors will assist students with needs for longer-term therapy to find a suitable treatment program in the community.

Counselors avoid accepting a client that is seeing another counselor without the permission of the initial counselor. Students who wish to see a different counselor need to secure permission from their present counselor.

Missouri Western counselors do not see spouses or other family members that do not attend Missouri Western.

Counselors do not usually help students plan schedules. Incoming students may want to talk with an admissions counselor about programs and classes. Enrolled students should see their advisor for this type of help.