CARE Team (Community Assessment and Risk Evaluation)

The Fitchburg State CARE Team is comprised of professional staff members that meet weekly during the academic year to address the needs of students facing a variety of concerns, whether it be personal, academic, medical, financial, behavioral or other general concerns. With representatives from across the institution, we focus on connecting with students whose behavior and/or circumstances has come to the attention of others in some manner, and determine an appropriate course of action that is in the best interest of the student and greater campus community. The CARE Team works in close partnership with the Bias Incident Response Team (B.I.R.T), the Emergency Funding Team, and other campus partners and services to connect students with those resources when appropriate.

Care Team Referral Form

We rely on our campus constituents to foster this community of care, by sharing pertinent information regarding the student(s) they have concerns about. Please note, this is not a system to use for emergencies. In case of an emergency, regardless of time of day, when a student's well-being is in jeopardy, please contact University Police at 978.665.3111.

We encourage faculty, staff, students and other concerned parties to refer students, with detailed examples of behavior that cause you concern, based on information or behaviors that me be classified below:

  • Academic Concerns – Concerns related to a student’s academics
  • General Concerns – Concerns about the behavior and/or welfare of a student based on the appearance of demeanor of a student, or general information that supports cause for concern
  • Dangerous Behavior – Behavior that causes one to fear for one's personal safety, or the safety of others, that does not first require the immediate attention of University Police (see above)
  • Disruptive Behavior – Behavior that interferes or disrupts the educational or co-curricular environment of other students or university operations
  • Distressed Behavior – Behavior or information indicating a student is feeling alarmed, upset or worried
  • Missing Students – Students who have been missing for a period of time

This form will be sent directly to the CARE Team. You may be contacted for additional information or clarification if needed. If you are concerned about a student, and are unsure of submitting your concern(s) through this form, please contact one of the CARE Team Chairs:

Members of the CARE Team

  • Franca Barricelli, PhD, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Matthew Burke, Senior Director of Athletics
  • Kris Braun, Associate Director of Housing and Residential Life
  • Denise Brindle, Director of Financial Aid
  • Michael Cloutier, Chief of University Police
  • Jaimee Dalton, Graduate Assistant for Case Management
  • Joseph Flanagan, Co-Chair, Assistant Director for CARE and Case Management
  • Robert Hynes, PhD, Assistant Dean and Director of Counseling Services
  • Michael Kennedy, Director of Student Development
  • Andrew LaMarche, University Police Lieutenant
  • Matthew Lechter, Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life
  • Kat McLellan, PhD, Director of Academic Coaching and Tutor Center
  • Jennifer Murray, Assistant Director of Enrollment and Advising Resources, SGOCE
  • Rebecca Newell, Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity
  • Lauren O’Brien, Associate Director of Counseling Services
  • Jason Smith, Assistant Dean for Student Success
  • Tim St. John, Co-Chair, Dean of Students
  • Emily Stark, Director of Disability Services
  • Beth Swartz, PhD, Director of TRIO Student Support Services
  • Nelly Wadsworth, Director of International Education
  • Position Vacant, Director of Student Diversity, Equity and Belonging Programs 

Resources