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As an advisor, you are a resource for students, and, in
some cases, you are seen as a confidante, someone they
feel comfortable talking to. When you are viewed in this
capacity, it is not unusual for students to come to you
with non-academic concerns.
If a student comes to you with a problem that you cannot
address or do not feel comfortable discussing, do not
turn the student away. Although you may not be a
licensed counselor, you can do the student a favor by
referring the student to the appropriate person or
office (even walking the student to the appropriate
office if the issue is serious). Always use tact and
caring when dealing with upset or frustrated students.
You should feel honored that a student has shared
personal/confidential information with you; this means
that s/he feels comfortable with you and trusts you.
When referring students to other offices and services on
campus, be as complete and thorough as possible. Make
sure you know the name of the person and the location of
the office; better yet, call the office to see if
someone is available to assist the student in need. If
the situation is severe enough, you may want to walk
with the student to the office of referral to ensure
that the student receives the necessary attention and
follows through with your advice. The list below
provides some suggestions on where/who to refer your
advisees to for various issues:
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