The Ithaca College Awareness Response and Education Team (ICare) is a small, private group of campus officials who respond to concerns regarding the well-being of individual students and the safety of the campus community. The ICare process aims to:

  • Provide a centralized place for faculty/staff, students, and family members to communicate concerns.
  • Provide education to the campus community on risk, mental health, concerns, and resources.
  • Proactively address issues students are experiencing to promote their wellness.

Our team is made up of representatives from the following offices:

  • Residential Life

  • The Office of ICare and Student Success

  • Public Safety 

  • Student Conduct and Community Standards

  • The Dean of Students 

  • Title IX 

  • Dean's Office 

  • Center for Counseling, Health, and Wellness 

  • Residential Life 

  • Office of Religious and Spiritual Life 

  • Center for Student Equity and Belonging

  • Additionally, hoc representatives, consulting partners, and other Ithaca College Community members may be included in ICare Team processes as needed on a case-by-case basis. 

Please review the "Should I Submit a Referral" page; if you're concerned about a student or notice signs of distress, you are encouraged to make an ICare Referral.

If submitting an ICare referral does not appear to be the appropriate next step, please consider the following options:

  1. Consult with CAPS at (607) 274-3136. Talking to a counselor can help you clarify your thoughts and feelings about a student, assess the seriousness of a situation, and identify an appropriate follow-up plan for the student.
  2. If you are a faculty member, consult with your Associate Dean. The Dean's Office may work with faculty and department chairs to assess concerns and determine what next steps should be taken.
  3. If you are a student, speak to a professional staff member such as an Academic Advisor, Residence Director/Advisor, or Counseling Center staff.
  4. Reach out to the Office of ICare and Student Success to begin communication with the ICare Team regarding your concerns for a student. An ICare team member can give you feedback as to whether an ICare Referral is warranted or another intervention should be considered.

Call the Office of Public Safety at (607) 274-3333 if a student:

  • Requires immediate medical attention or hospitalization
  • Is unmanageable (i.e. aggressive, significantly inappropriate, out of touch with reality, unable to care for him/herself).
  • Is threatening harm to you or someone else.
  • Is contemplating or threatening suicide or self-harm.
  • Is threatening you by email, mail, or phone.

An ICare referral is private, not confidential. This means that there are members of the ICare team that have access to the information provided. This creates opportunities for more successful interventions and connections to occur while balancing the need to create a college environment that is safe and conducive to student learning and academic success. Our team understands that information shared can be sensitive and personal and value the importance of privacy. 

Under FERPA, college officials may release information from a student's educational record internally to any other college official who has a legitimate educational interest in the information contained in the record. No student consent or notice is needed, and no documentation is required.

The ICare Team does not have access to a student's medical or counseling record; a student can sign a Release of Information to share such information.

Because our office is NOT a confidential resource, disclosures by a student about past, current, or future conduct may be referred to the Office of Public Safety based on the College’s obligations to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students and employees.

Please see ICare Process for more information.

You will get a confirmation email that your ICare Referral was received and you may be contacted by an ICare Team Member for more information. The ICare Team reviews all ICare Referrals and determines appropriate interventions. ICare referrals indicating a pattern of concerning behaviors or consistent decline in a student's functioning may suggest an increased risk level and warrant a higher level of intervention.

Please note that in order to maintain the student's privacy, information may not be shared with a referrer. 

It depends! All students will be offered an ICare meeting. Some students will be required to meet with a Care Manager. Because we care about your well-being and want you to be successful as an Ithaca College student, it is important that you respond to a meeting request made by Ithaca College staff/faculty member.

Failure to respond or agree to a meeting request in a timely fashion is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct (see below) and may result in judicial action taken against you.

7.1.2.3.2 COMPLIANCE WITH COLLEGE OFFICIALS*[III.B]

  1. Students are required to...comply with the reasonable requests of any College employee, including, but not limited to, Campus Center staff, Residential Life staff, Dining Services staff, and Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol (SASP) members acting in the performance of their duties. [III.B.1]

A student may be more comfortable and receptive to help if they know that ICare Referral has been made, and they can expect to be contacted by an ICare Team Member. Being transparent with a student about your concerns and the ICare process could help a student feel cared for and relieved that help is on the way.

On the other hand, a student may become anxious and guarded if they receive an unexpected phone call or email from an ICare Team Member requesting to meet with them.

You may not have the opportunity or feel that it is appropriate to share your concerns directly with a student before submitting an ICare Referral. Referring individuals do have the option of remaining anonymous to the student they are reporting. Please be mindful that as a reporter, you may be the only person aware of specific concerns for a student; thus the referral source may be evident to the student.

Occasionally, a student who is the subject of an ICare Referral may exhibit increased symptoms of distress. Do not hesitate to contact Public Safety at (607) 274-3333 if your concerns for a student require immediate assistance. Otherwise, you can make another ICare Referral with any additional concerns you have.

Behavioral change takes time and can be challenging. Referring individuals are encouraged to provide the ICare Team with updates on a student's progress by contacting the Office at ICare and Student Support at ICare@ithaca.edu and (607)274-7731. Please note that the office does not reply to outreach outside of business hours or while the college is closed.