Faculty and staff notice a student is facing difficulties and identify their concerns using a secure online form
Early Alert advisors review concerns and identify the most appropriate resources for students in need of support.
Academic advisors reach out to students and offer to connect them with resources and support to help them get back on track.
With earlier support, it becomes easier to get back on track.
Advantages of Early Alert
Support for all students
UBC is a big place, and some students may find it difficult to navigate UBC’s many resources and services, especially when they are feeling stressed. In addition, some students may not know where to go for help, or might not seek help because they feel uncomfortable reaching out. Early Alert provides a way to offer all students support in a way that is very simple to access.
Earlier support before difficulties become overwhelming
Students who need assistance are connected with support before difficulties become overwhelming.
Less time and fewer resources to recover
Students spend less time and energy recovering from difficulties because support is offered earlier.
More coordinated approach
With Early Alert, it’s easier for faculty and staff to work together as a team to help students. Early Alert provides a way of coordinating information about student concerns, which makes it easier to offer the right combination of support for each student.
Increased security and privacy
Information needed to assist students is communicated via a more secure system.
How Early Alert is working
High participation in training
Since the launch of the Early Alert Program in 2012, over 1,500 faculty members, staff, and TAs have participated in Early Alert training.
Active use by staff and faculty
The most recent numbers show that Early Alert is being actively used by both staff and faculty across campus: 69% of concerns were received from staff and 30% were received from faculty members and TAs.
Additional results
- 70% of EA concerns do not need further actions as referrals to resources and supports have already occurred. This reflects what we already know: staff and faculty are providing effective support and referrals to students. For the times where additional support is appropriate and in order to provide context for future reach-out to a student in need of support, Early Alert provides the opportunity for a Case Manager to review and assess each concern submitted.
- 30% of concerns are referred for further reach-out to help connect students to additional resources. Reach out is most often carried out by an academic advisor.
- Of those EA concerns identified for further reach-out, where a student is invited to meet with an advisor, 92% of students have accepted the invitation and were offered additional support.