Dean of Students Office services
The Dean of Students Office coordinates the following services:
- Behavioral intervention
- Extended class absences
- Family orientation
- Fundraising requests for student groups
- Immunizations
- Inside Augustana: Student handbook
- Inside Augustana: Student conduct
- Off-campus housing
- Procedures for leaving the college
- Start a new club
- Student support
- Title IX matters
- Well-being and resiliency resources
Behavioral intervention
A team of Augustana employees comprise the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) designed to provide a safe campus environment through collaboration, data collection and review, risk assessment and student interaction.
Goals of the BIT include:
- Ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all members of the Augustana community.
- Coordinating information sharing to allow for a better understanding of potential problems.
- Furthering Augustana’s stated educational goals.
BIT is designed to identify and work directly with students who are experiencing concerns of harm to self or are exhibiting signs of potential harm to others. BIT assesses student risk through scales identifying life stress and emotional health as well as hostility and violence towards others.
Extended class absences
Students are expected to communicate directly with faculty members regarding class absences. Individual faculty members may have specific expectations regarding attendance, which will be outlined in their course syllabus. The Dean of Students Office is able to provide verification of absence for students who miss five or more consecutive days of classes and are able to provide documentation of their need to miss class for either a family or medical emergency. Documentation for verification should be submitted to Associate Dean Laura Schnack via email or fax (309-794-8528).
Once an extended absence is verified, a flag in Starfish will be raised, alerting the student's faculty members that documentation has been received and verified with the Dean of Students Office. Students are expected to be in direct communication with their faculty members regarding their absence regardless of verification. Ultimately, it is up to the individual faculty member to determine whether they will allow a student to make up coursework they have missed. Students should also be aware of the college's Excessive Absences Policy, as overseen by Academic Affairs.
Family orientation
Family members have the opportunity to participate in summer family orientation programs coordinated through the Dean of Students Office. Presentations are provided by staff in the areas of academic advising; academic support; diversity, equity and inclusion; student activities; residential life; dining; police and public safety; student well-being and resiliency; counseling; business office; financial aid; dean of students office; intercollegiate athletics; and music.
Students and families also have the opportunity to visit and ask questions in a smaller setting, often times 1:1, during the resource fair during each orientation day.
→ Learn more about family orientation.
Fundraising
As stated in Inside Augustana: Student Handbook, student groups who are planning fundraising events need to have their idea approved by the student policy committee or the chair of the student policy committee. To do so, contact the Dean of Students Office.
Immunizations
Students are required to provide proof of immunity to certain vaccine-preventable diseases prior to the start of their first term. This is a one-time submission during a student’s entire college career at Augustana and can be done through the immunization portal. The Dean of Students Office is responsible for ensuring immunization records are on file.
Inside Augustana: Student handbook
Any time a large group of people choose to live and work together, there is a need for structure. Inside Augustana provides insight into that structure. Each student is responsible for knowing the material in Inside Augustana and in Inside Our Halls and Houses, if residing on campus, as well as pertinent regulations in the current Augustana College catalog.
Inside Augustana: Student conduct
As adults, students at Augustana College are expected to obey the law and take personal responsibility for their conduct both on campus and in the community. The Augustana Code of Social Conduct specifies unacceptable behavior and provides standards which the student conduct process shall enforce. Violations of civil or criminal law by Augustana students may be subject a student to prosecution by civil or criminal authorities outside the college community.
The chief objectives of the college's conduct process are education, growth through behavioral change and accountability. Most policy violations occurring within the residence halls will be handled within Residential Life, where students will meet with their area coordinator or resident director to discuss the incident and determine appropriate sanctions. For repeat or more serious violations, incidents will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for adjudication. This may involve a one-on-one hearing with the student or the student meeting with a hearing panel that is tasked with determining responsibility and appropriate sanctions.
→ Learn more about these processes.
Individuals may use this form to report a potential violation of the Code of Social Conduct or the Housing Code of Conduct.
Off-campus housing requests
Augustana College is a residential campus, and all first-, second- and third-year students are required to live on campus unless certain criteria are met. Those criteria include being at least 22 years old by the beginning of the fall semester, being married, having dependent children, having active or veteran military status, or living with a parent or legal guardian at a permanent address in the greater Quad Cities area if the student will be commuting from that home address. To request an off-campus exemption, students must complete the off-campus exemption application by the deadline published by Residential Life (typically within the first week of March) in order to be considered for the following fall semester.
Procedures for leaving the college
Students may choose to leave the college at two points during their enrollment:
- Prior to the start of a semester (non-return)
- During a semester (withdrawal)
Non-returning and re-enrolling
Both the non-return and re-enrollment processes are managed by the Dean of Students Office.
Students who choose not to return to the college must complete this electronic form to initiate and finalize that process.
The Dean of Students Office serves as a one-stop shop for this process. All necessary offices, such as Residential Life, Dining, Financial Aid, Business Office, Academic Affairs and individual instructors, are notified by the Dean of Students once a non-return has been processed.
Students who choose to re-enroll at Augustana College at a later time need to complete the re-enrollment application. After completion, the applying student will receive communication from the Dean of Students Office about next steps.
Withdrawing and re-enrolling
Both the withdrawal and re-enrollment processes are managed by the Dean of Students Office.
Students who choose to withdraw from the college must connect with the Dean of Students Office to initiate and finalize that process.
To withdraw:
- Students should connect with the Financial Aid Office prior to learn of the withdrawal impact.
- Students should connect with the Business Office prior to learn of the withdrawal impact.
- Students should contact the Dean of Students Office indicating a desire to withdraw. This can be done by:
- Walking in to the Dean of Students Office, located in the Bahls Campus Leadership Center, first floor.
- Emailing the Dean of Students Office to set up a meeting to withdraw.
- Calling the Dean of Students Office to set up a meeting to withdraw: 309-794-7533.
- During the withdrawal meeting with Dean of Students Office personnel, students will be asked to share their reason for withdrawal. A conversation about future re-enrollment will occur.
- Students generally have 24-48 hours after withdrawing to leave the residence halls.
- The Dean of Students Office serves as a one-stop shop for withdrawing. All necessary offices, such as Residential Life, Dining, Financial Aid, Business Office, Academic Affairs and individual instructors, are notified by the Dean of Students once a withdrawal has been processed.
- Students who withdraw during fall semester are not eligible to return for J-term.
- At the time of withdrawal, a student's classes are dropped. Students should familiarize themselves with Augustana's grading policies.
Students who choose to re-enroll at Augustana College at a later time need to complete the re-enrollment application. After completion, the applying student will receive communication from the Dean of Students Office about next steps.
Start a new club or organization
The Student Policy Committee, chaired by the Dean of Students, reviews club applications and determines if a proposed club or organization should be recognized by the College. Formal recognition for a club allows marketing throughout campus, reserving spaces, holding formal meetings and events, and requests for funding from Student Government.
To start a new club or organization, students must complete the new organization application. Following that submission, the Dean of Students office will be in touch to prep for the Student Policy Committee presentation. Student leaders will then present their club proposal to the Student Policy Committee, who will determine if the club should be formally recognized by the college moving forward.
Student support
Starfish
Starfish is a resource used to support students in many ways. Your advisor might record notes of your advising appointments in Starfish; you might schedule a peer tutor appointment in the Reading/Writing Center in Starfish; and/or you might have received an email from Starfish letting you know an instructor raised a kudos for you. You can also request help through Starfish.
Class concerns
If you have concerns related to your courses, such as grades or conduct within your classroom, you will want to consult your course syllabus and speak directly with your faculty member. From there, you may want to speak with the department chair, then the division dean. The staff in Academic Affairs can assist you with this process as well.
Student counseling services
Bahls Leadership Center, second floor
Students have access to a host of different mental health professionals and resources to meet their needs through Student Counseling Services. Short-term individual and group counseling is offered on a confidential basis. Staff may refer students to other campus services or to off-campus mental health professionals as appropriate to their needs.
Campus Ministries
Bahls Leadership Center, second floor
As a college related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augustana College is committed to meeting the spiritual needs of all its students. The college's relationship to the church requires respect for all people, regardless of religious preferences.
The Office of Campus Ministries is a primary resource for students seeking spiritual guidance, providing opportunities for worship, learning and service during the school year. A full-time chaplain is available to all students, and a student leadership team serves as peer mentors and event planners for Campus Ministries.
Residential Life
Andreen Hall, first floor
Most students, including transfer students, live on campus for their first three years in the Residential Life system. As seniors, they're prepared to move into off-campus housing. Each residence has a network of professional staff, including master's-level area coordinators, who live in the halls. The coordinator works with one or two resident directors and a team of community advisors. Advisors are upper-class students trained to promote a strong floor community and support 30-50 residents.
Health concerns
Students who have ongoing health concerns are encouraged to work with the Office of Disability Services regarding potential accommodations for classes. Students may also see information regarding extended class absences.
General health care needs can be addressed for students at the Augustana Convenient Care Clinic – Powered by Genesis. This clinic is in operation during the traditional academic year (weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.). Appointments are free, though costs for medication or additional testing will be handled through the student’s insurance. The clinic is staffed by Genesis employees. Billing questions related to the clinic should be referred to the clinic staff at 309-281-2300.
General concerns
If you are unsure where to go or who to talk to about a certain concern, let us help you! The Dean of Students Office is traditionally seen as the "problem-solving" office on campus. While we may not be the office that can solve your concern directly, we will be sure to connect you to the appropriate office or resource to assist you. Feel free to call, email or stop by our office in the Bahls Leadership Center for assistance.
Title IX matters
Augustana College prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in employment as well as in its education programs and activities. This prohibition is in accordance with a federal law known as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"). Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. Students who are pregnant or need parenting support may receive accommodations through the Title IX Office as well.
Individuals may also file a discrimination and harassment incident report.
Further information may be found online or by contacting Steve Wehling, Chief Title IX Coordinator.
Well-being and resiliency resources
Get Inclusive: Online Alcohol, Sexual Violence Prevention Awareness and Well-Being Education
All students are required to complete the assigned modules (varies by grade level) as part of Augustana’s commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.
Well-being labs
Augustana "well-being labs" provide students with knowledge and skills from a variety of different disciplines intended to improve their overall sense of well-being using a strengths-based approach.
Students will have the opportunity to explore social, occupational, intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being components in a variety of interactive sessions with campus and community experts. Check the campus calendar for the most up to date schedule.
NAMI
Augie NAMI is a student-led organization that provides peer mental health support via weekly meetings.
Gray Matters
The Augie Gray Matters Collective is the originating chapter of the larger nonprofit organization. This student-run chapter focuses on mental health activism, support and education.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to recognize and respond to various mental health concerns.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
QPR, or Question, Persuade, Refer, is an evidenced-based suicide prevention program that can be delivered virtually or in person.
Resiliency curriculum
These are class lessons, discussions, articles, videos and activities to enhance and promote student resiliency. Contact Farrah Roberts for access to these lessons.
1:1 Social/emotional/wellness coaching
Students experience a variety of concerns that can affect their ability to be successful in the classroom and/or feel fulfilled with the college experience. Engaging in 1:1 coaching includes solution-focused conversations, strategy development and learning practical skills to work through these life challenges.