A student has asked me for help but I don't feel equipped to advise them - what should I do?

It is important to acknowledge the limits of our abilities and skills; in many situations, it may be better to refer the student to another office rather than try to ‘wing it’ yourself. Where you send them will depend on the nature of the issue but there are several offices around campus to which you can send the student. Of course, most of those offices also will provide resources and advice to faculty and staff so don’t hesitate to call and ask them how you can help your student directly. If you are made aware of a student challenge that leaves you feeling concerned, worried, and/or alarmed, you are encouraged to make a referral to the SDSU’s CARES (Campus Assistance, Response, Evaluation and Support) Team.

This page focuses on resources for student personal support; see the next page for resources for student academic support. The list here provides basic information so that faculty and staff will have an idea of what is available but please see the individual websites for contact information and additional details. Note that the first two resources below provide extensive listings of virtually all available campus resources for student support. In addition, the CIE series on Teaching and Supporting the Whole Student highlights many of the programs and offices across the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. Each of those recorded presentations provides an overview of that program’s services for students and suggestions for faculty and staff for interacting with that office and directing students to them, and/or strategies for supporting the particular student population served by that office.

CARES Campus and Community Resources

The CARES (Campus Assistance, Response, Evaluation and Support) Team reviews, assesses and responds to student issues that may present barriers to their personal and academic success, such as food and housing insecurity, emotional distress, health concerns, or other personal challenges. The CARES Team also responds to referrals involving individuals that may be exhibiting concerning behaviors that may be disruptive, erratic, or threatening, providing a centralized structure for the campus community to refer concerns.

Basic Needs and Wellness Toolkit

Resources for Basic Needs and Wellness situations including, food, housing, finances, mental health, and sleep. "Immediate" Resources are ones where you can refer a student to right away where they can be helped right away. "Beyond" Resources are ones that can be contacted right away, but have a waiting time associated with receiving the resource.

Additional Resources on this page:

(list links take you to fuller description below)

Counseling and Psychological Services
Economic Crisis Response Team
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Inclusive SDSU (bias reporting system)
Legal and Financial Services
Student Health Services
Student Ability Success Center
Student Ombuds
Title IX, Rape and Sexual Violence Resources
Well-Being and Health Promotion
Services for Specific Populations
- Cultural Centers
- Equal Opportunity Program
- Graduate Life and Diversity
- International Student Center
- Military and Veterans Program
- Student Parent Support

Counseling and Psychological Services

C&PS offers a wide range of services to help students obtain support for a variety of presenting concerns. These include individual counseling, couples counseling, group therapy, workshops, specialized programs, and appointments with Baxter, C&PS’ therapy dog. Their website provides links to resources for faculty and staff including interacting with students following a tragedy, a booklet for working with emotionally distressed students, and quick guidelines for referring students. (back to top)

Economic Crisis Response Team

ECRT aims to bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing, or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success. Using a holistic approach to well-being, ECRT supports students through crisis by leveraging a campus-wide collaboration that utilizes on and off-campus partnerships and provides direct referrals based on each student’s unique circumstances. (back to top)

Financial Aid and Scholarships

This office provides information and counseling so that students can make informed choices for meeting the costs associated with attending San Diego State University. They also provide outreach and access services in collaboration with other university departments and the community. (back to top)

Inclusive SDSU

The purpose of the Inclusive SDSU system is to document instances that promote our campus commitment to equity and inclusion, as well as those that fall short. Submissions are used to identify patterns, to recognize and celebrate extraordinary acts of inclusion, and to develop strategies for community improvement where needed. (back to top)

Legal and Financial Services (A.S.)

Associated Students has partnered with CLC Legal Plans Incorporated to provide FREE legal and financial services to enrolled SDSU students. (back to top)

Student Health Services

SHS is staffed by fully licensed and certified health professionals who are dedicated to the college community. No-cost or low-cost medical services include outpatient evaluation and treatment of common medical problems, preventive care, health counseling, immunizations and psychiatric treatment. Specialty care services, including dentistry, optometry and orthopedics, are available for additional fees. (back to top)

Student Ability Success Center

SASC is the university office responsible for providing appropriate academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Services and accommodations are available to students with documented disabilities, including but not limited to students who have visual limitations, communication limitations, learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, attentional disabilities, mobility and other functional limitations, as well as those who are deaf or hard of hearing. (back to top)

Student Ombuds

The Office of the Student Ombudsman acts as the student liaison or mediator, and is a confidential, independent, and neutral resource for students. They provide information, advice, intervention and referrals to try to solve problems at the most informal level possible. If you are unsure where a student should go with a problem, this is a good place to start. (back to top)

Title IX, Rape and Sexual Violence Resources

There are a number of different offices and resources available for victims of sexual violence (whether faculty or students). The Title IX site provides links and information for legal, medical, counseling and other resources. (back to top)

Well-Being and Health Promotion

WBHP is staffed with Health Educators, Community Resource Specialists, and Subject Experts who offer education, HIV testing information, medical referral assistance, sexual health knowledge, STI education, and alcohol and other drugs information. (back to top)

Services for specific populations

Cultural Centers: The Cultural Centers support student success through a framework that addresses equity, justice, and inclusion. Centers facilitate the learning and growth of traditionally underserved students through programs and events that educate the campus; facilitation of intergroup dialogues to address pressing issues; and advocacy with campus stakeholders to create an institutional climate that supports the students we serve. There are
- APIDA Center: The SDSU APIDA Center facilitates the academic and personal success of APIDA-identified students by providing relevant and accessible programming, resources, and services.
- Black Resource Center: The BRC strives to promote Black Excellence and to provide a safe and welcoming environment where students, staff, and faculty of the African diaspora can congregate, collaborate, and cultivate a unified community.
- Latinx Resource Center: The LRC cultivates a student-centered and welcoming environment for Latinx identifying students. The LRC encourages students of a Latinx background to embrace their culture through events, celebrations, programs, and services while connecting with other students, faculty, staff, and the community.
- Native Resource Center: The NRC engages, supports and promotes the cultural, social, academic, and leadership development of students, faculty, and staff committed to the sovereign identity and progress of Indigenous communities.
- Pride Center: The Pride Center creates, sustains, and strengthens an open, inclusive, safe, and affirming gathering space and campus environment for persons of all sexual and gender identities and their allies.
- Undocumented Resource Center: The URC is designed to provide undocumented students guidance, support in navigating the campus and local community resources to support their well-being, enhance their educational achievement and timely progress toward a university degree.
- Women’s Resource Center: The WRC strives to provide a vibrant, brave, and inclusive space for women and all people who face gender-based oppression. Through an intersectional feminist lens, the WRC offers leadership opportunities, educational and healing events that address gender justice, and community building programs.
- Center for Intercultural Relations: The CIR researches, designs and implements unique programs that promote the appreciation of cultural diversity and fosters intercultural and cross-cultural understanding.
- Center for Transformative Justice: The CTJ promotes restorative justice, reduces recidivism, and empowers individuals transitioning out of prison through higher education.
Equal Opportunity Program: The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs is committed to supporting first-generation, low-income students through innovative outreach and retention programs that encourage them to persist towards the goal of a university degree.
Graduate Life and Diversity (Links to an external site.): GLAD's mission is to support all graduate students' success and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our graduate programs at SDSU. They offer various personal, professional, financial, and social resources to enrich the graduate experience and promote success in graduate training. They offer programming and support designed to increase retention and decrease equity gaps for historically underrepresented and underserved students by fostering inclusion, equity, and intellectual growth for graduate students.
International Student Center: The International Student Center (ISC) advances the internationalization efforts of SDSU by serving both incoming international students and SDSU students studying abroad. The ISC offers a full range of programs and services to foster student success, global perspectives, intercultural awareness and international cooperation.
Military and Veterans Program: On campus, and worldwide, we’re committed to supporting military, military veterans, military spouses, and dependent children in the areas of higher education in outreach/admission, GI Bill benefits, academic success, graduation, and a career.
Student Parent Support: The SDSU Student Parent Support website provides access and resources for the academic and personal success of those who are both students and parents. (back to top)