Student Support

The Reed Care Team

The Reed Care Team is an interdisciplinary team that proactively coordinates support for students experiencing personal or academic issues that interfere with their ability to function at their best in the college setting.

The Care Team works together to:

• connect students to academic, personal, financial and health resources
• reduce the burden of wayfinding during difficult or stressful situations
• educate the Reed community about identifying and responding to concerns
• provide accurate and comprehensive information about college resources 

The Care Team is comprised of staff representing the Student Life Office, Residence Life, Student Engagement, Health & Counseling Services, Multicultural Resource Center, Disability & Accessibility Services, Financial Aid, Academic Support, Athletics, Fitness & Outdoor Programs, SHARE, The Center for Life Beyond Reed, and Community Safety. The Care Team is chaired by the director for student support (Dr. Luis Giraldo).

Refer a Student to the Care Team

Anyone can refer a student to the Care Team via the online care referral form, including faculty, staff, students, family members, and others who believe a student might benefit from additional resources and support. 

Individuals can also share and consult about concerns directly with Dr. Luis Giraldo, Director of Student Support, by emailing careteam@reed.edu or calling 503-517-4817 during business hours.

Referrals are reviewed during normal business hours and are not monitored after hours, on weekends, or during official college holidays. For emergency or urgent situations involving risk of harm to self or others, please call Reed Community Safety at 503-788-6666 or 911.

Reed Care Team FAQs

What sort of concerns are appropriate for me to refer?

The Care Team provides support and resource connection to students navigating academic, interpersonal, financial or other difficulties. Examples include:

• social isolation or withdrawal
• housing or food insecurity 
• academic challenges (e.g. frequent absences)
• occurrence of a recent loss or other crisis (e.g. family emergency)
• interpersonal conflicts (e.g. relationship breakup)
• health or well-being concerns 

Is the information I share confidential?

The Care Team will treat information shared with utmost discretion and respect for the student's privacy. Members of the Care Team can never promise confidentility when there are concerns for safety. With the exception of representatives from Health & Counseling and SHARE, members of the Care Team are obligatory reporters for potential Title IX violations. All members are mandatory reporters for child abuse. Visit Confidentiality and Reporting for more information on what to expect when you share information with the Care Team.

What happens after I make a referral?

The director for student support will review the referral information within 1–2 business day and coordinate with relevant Care Team members outreach and support for the referred student. The director may also contact the referring party directly for more information if needed.

What support can be offered a student from the Care Team?
Care Team members are trained to listen, relay empathy, help problem-solve and make accurate referrals to relevant campus departments for further assistance. The Care Team works together to streamline and simplify administrative tasks or logistics for students who are navigating complicated challenges so students do not need to expend unnecessary energy working with each individual office separately. In most cases an individual Care Team member will be assigned as the student's primary contact. This individual will reach out to the student, relay comprehensive information about college services and policies, and check-in regularly with the student until the concerns are resolved.

Will the student know I made the referral?

We encourage community members to talk with the student first about their concerns before making a referral to the Care Team. However, there may be circumstances when this is not appropriate or possible. If requested in the referral form, members of the Care Team will take careful effort not to disclose the reporting party’s name. Due to the small size of our community or nature of your concern, however, a student may be able to conclude who made the referral.

Can my report be anonymous?

Yes. However, please be aware if the Care Team is unable to follow up with you to verify information or ask clarifying questions, it may limit our ability to assist the student.

Will I be updated about the Care Team's response after making a referral?

We are limited in what we can share with you after we reach out to a student, as it is important to us that we maintain the student's privacy. However, we will confirm receipt of a care referral and confirm that we will reach out to the student to offer assistance. 

How can I help the student directly?

Contact the Care Team

Community members are welcome to contact Dr. Luis Giraldo, Director for Student Support, for questions or consultation.

Telephone: 503-517-4817