The SSAT Team

The Olin College Student Support and Assistance Team 

The Olin SSAT, previously known as The CARE Team, works to identify and respond to students of concern in a coordinated manner to promote student success, safety, and community well-being. The team works to address needs or concerns related to student behavior, academic distress, and personal issues including mental health concerns.

Who can submit a referral? 

Anyone in the Olin community can submit a referral to SSAT through this online form. If a submitter wishes to remain anonymous to the student of concern, a SSAT member will discuss this with you to plan next steps.  

When should I make a referral? 

Olin strives for a community of care among our staff, faculty, students, and their families. To sustain this environment, we trust our community members to address concerns directly whenever possible, recognizing that complex situations often require a team approach. A Support Referral should be submitted when additional resources are needed to manage a situation, when collaboration would benefit the student, or when providing information to the team as an FYI. 

To help identify when a student might need this collective support, consider making a referral to the SSAT if you notice any of the following behaviors or circumstances: 

Academic 

  • A sudden drop in grades or academic performance. 

  • Chronically missing classes or failing to submit assignments, especially when this is a change from previous engagement patterns. 

  • Feeling as though they are overwhelmed by academic responsibilities or pressures. 

Personal 

  • Changes in sleep patterns or difficulties with sleep. 

  • Interpersonal relationship challenges. 

  • Use of drugs and/or alcohol that is interfering with functioning. 

  • Exposure to traumatic events.  

Emotional and Mental Distress 

  • Talk of or evidence of self-harm or suicidality. 

  • Expressions of hopelessness or helplessness. 

  • Tearfulness or frequent crying. 

  • Paranoia, disorientation, or expressing unusual beliefs. 

  • Expressions of shame, self-blame, or guilt. 

Life Events 

  • A major illness, hospitalization, or sudden injury. 

  • A family emergency, death of a loved one, or severe personal loss. 

  • Financial strain or challenges meeting their basic needs. 

Disruptive or Concerning Behavior 

  • Significant changes in appearance/hygiene, mood, or social interactions (like isolation). 

  • Verbal or written threats of violence, including online. 

  • Uncontrolled anger, unusually confrontational or aggressive. 

  • Changes in or disordered eating patterns. 

If you are unsure if your concern should be a Support Referral or if it would be better handled by another resource on campus, you may submit the referral and the SSAT can route the concern to another resource if appropriate. 

Please note: If you believe your concern is an emergency and/or requires immediate response, call Campus Police immediately at 781-239-5555.  

How do I make a referral? 

To refer a student to SSAT, please fill out the Student Support Referral Form.  

If you wish to report an incident related to Title IX/sexual misconduct/gender equity, please utilize our Ethics Point form. 

What happens after a referral is made? 

Once a referral form is submitted and reviewed, the team will make recommendations and work to connect students to available resources. Actions may include contacting the person making the referral, contacting the referred student, making recommendations for interventions, and following up on them.