Frequently Asked Questions

For Students

• If a student is struggling with an ongoing emotional or physical situation, can the Student Support Team assist?
  The Student Support Team is a group committed to supporting Stony Brook University students' emotional, physical, and intellectual wellness. If a student needs help with how or where to get help, the Support Team will provide proactive and supportive consultation and refer students to other on-campus resources, as needed.
• When should a student reach out to the SST?
  Students should contact the Student Support Team when they experience unexpected challenges that impact their studies. We welcome any opportunity to provide consultation, answer questions, respond to concerns, or direct them to the best resource to meet their needs. Students can connect with us via phone, virtual, or in-person meetings.
• Does a student need to notify the Student Support Team when they will miss a class?

  Students are expected to reach out to their professors independently when they need to miss class. Each course will provide a syllabus that outlines procedures for missed classes and excused absences.

  Communication from the Student Support Team is most appropriate when there has been an extended absence due to a hospitalization, family illness, or death. Students should communicate and work directly with their faculty members in the event of a short-term absence.

• Can the Student Support Team extend a deadline or excuse a student from classes?

  The Student Support Team cannot change grades, extend deadlines, or excuse students from classes. Our team will accept documentation and write to the academic department, protecting the anonymity of the information and connecting the student with their faculty member to discuss options that may be available to them. Students are informed that any assignment flexibility is at the discretion of individual faculty members and academic departments.

• Do I need to provide documentation to the Student Support Team?

  Students will need to provide documentation to the Student Support Team for the team to contact faculty members in the event of an unexpected challenge. Examples of documentation may include medical documentation or hospital discharge paperwork. If a student is unable to provide documentation, they are still encouraged to contact the Student Support Team to discuss circumstances and options for support.

• How does the SST communicate with faculty?

  The Student Support Team can email a student’s academic departments to let them know of an unexpected challenge, provided that a student provides us with proper documentation.

• If a student is considering a leave of absence, can they contact the Student Support Team?

  Sometimes, students may need support as they decide on a possible leave of absence. The Student Support Team will offer guidance through the decision-making process.

• If a student requests accommodations due to a disability, should they schedule an appointment with the Student Support Team?

   

  Students needing to request reasonable accommodations for an ongoing disability should contact the Student Accessibility Support Center to schedule an intake appointment with an accessibility support counselor.

• Can SST help with financial difficulties?

  We understand students may sometimes face financial hardship during their time at Stony Brook. The Student Support Team is here to listen to your story, provide support, and connect you with resources. 

  The Student Emergency Support Fund provides limited grant funding to matriculated Stony Brook undergraduate and graduate students experiencing an unexpected financial crisis that may be impacting their ability to continue their academic journey.

• Can the SST support a student facing housing or food insecurity?
  Yes. We encourage students to connect with our team if they face housing or food insecurity. Fueling your body with nutrients and finding a safe place to sleep is crucial for students to thrive academically. We will talk through resources, including the Stony Brook Food Pantry, and offer support.
• Should I call the Student Support Team in an emergency?

  In an emergency, call University Police at 631-632-3333 or 911 if you are off campus.

• If a student is seeking peer support, is there a student they can talk to?
  Yes. Our Peer Support Intern Team is a peer-to-peer team available to connect with students seeking a space to chat and connect and discuss campus engagement. Students can schedule a meeting with a Peer Support Intern by completing this form.
• How does a student contact the Student Support Team?
  Student Support Team members are available for phone, virtual, or in-person conversations. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We are located in the Stony Brook Union, Suite 106.

For Faculty and Staff

• When is it appropriate to refer my student to the Student Support Team?

  It is appropriate to refer your student to the Student Support Team when they have experienced serious challenges, including hospitalization, mental health concerns, medical emergencies, the death of a loved one, or basic needs insecurity.

  We hope you, as our campus partners, will reach out to discuss your concerns and best options for connecting us with the student. Our goal is to ensure that each student effectively balances their own health and well-being with the academic demands of Stony Brook University by connecting them to the appropriate campus resources.

• A student contacted me to discuss their absence. Should I refer them to the Student Support Team?
  Communication from the Student Support Team is most appropriate when an extended absence is due to a hospitalization, family illness, or death. Students should communicate and work directly with their faculty members in the event of a short-term absence.
• If I have a concern for a student but am unsure where to refer, can I call the Student Support Team?
  We are your campus partners, so please let us know if you are concerned about one of your students please see our Concern for a Student page. We are here to discuss the situation and ensure the student is connected with the appropriate campus resource.
• I received an email from the Student Support Team about my student’s absence. Am I required to be flexible with assignments and exams?
  While the Student Support Team does not have the authority to excuse an absence or extend a deadline, we act as a bridge to connect the student directly with their academic department and faculty member. Our team will accept documentation and write to the academic department, protecting the anonymity of the information and connecting the student with their faculty member to discuss options that may be available to them. Students are clearly informed that any flexibility with assignments is at the discretion of individual faculty members and academic departments.
• A student has let me know that they are struggling to purchase supplies for the course. Should I refer them to the Student Support Team?

  Yes! We understand Seawolves may face significant hardship during their time as a student at Stony Brook. The Student Support Team is here to listen to their story, provide support, and connect them with resources, including the Student Emergency Support Fund.

• If a student discusses housing or basic needs instability, should I refer them to the Student Support Team?

   

  Yes. We understand that finding a safe place to sleep and fueling their body with nutrients is crucial for students to thrive academically. We will meet with the student to discuss their particular needs and connect them to supportive resources that may be available.

• Will the Student Support Team speak at faculty/staff meetings?

  We welcome the opportunity to connect with our campus partners during staff or faculty meetings. We aim to help faculty and staff understand how our office can be best utilized and how to collaborate to support our students most effectively. Please invite us!