Emergency

First dial 999

Police • Ambulance • Fire brigade

From a UofG desk phone, 999 will put you through to Security who will call emergency services.

From any other phone or mobile, 999 will put you straight through to emergency services.

Then call Security

If you haven't already told Security what's happening, call them immediately:

Gilmorehill: 4444  (0141 330 4444)
Garscube: 2222  (0141 330 2222)
Off campus: +44 (0)141 330 4444

Security will monitor the situation and liaise with emergency services.

Remember

  • Don't try to deal with an emergency on your own
  • Try to stay calm
  • Make sure you have back-up
  • Prioritise your own safety and that of others at the scene

SafeZone

Puts you in contact with the UofG security team instantly for an enquiry, first aid or an emergency on campus or worldwide.

Student crisis

Call the Crisis Team

Available 24/7 via Security

Gilmorehill: 4444  (0141 330 4444)
Garscube: 2222  (0141 330 2222)
Off campus: +44 (0)141 330 4444

Crisis situations

  • Student death
  • Student has been hospitalised (serious ilness/mental health crisis)
  • Student is at risk of suicide/in mental health crisis
  • Student has been subject to crime
  • Student appears to be missing

Remember

  • Try to stay calm
  • Make sure you have back-up
  • Prioritise your own safety and that of others at the scene

Working with the Crisis Team

Gather information

To help the Crisis Team assess the situation as quickly as possible, try to gather as much information as you can, such as:

  • Student's name and student number
  • Student's location if they're not with you
  • Details of the incident
  • Student's address and phone number

But don't delay if you can't get this information: contact the Crisis Team as soon as you can.

What happens next

The Crisis Team will assess whether the situation needs a managed intervention. If so, they will manage the situation on the University's behalf, using their experience and contacts to:

  • Organise effective communications between the relevant support services, and where appropriate the student's family
  • Overcome challenges around transport, accommodation, language or faith 
  • Liaise with police, interpreters, chaplains and so on

Debrief

Once your involvement with a crisis situation has ended, debrief by talking with:

Make a record of your concerns and inform others as appropriate, and always feel free to discuss with the Crisis Team.

In the Event of the Death of a Student

Action required

Immediately call the Crisis Team via Security (4444)

Security will also contact the Duty Press Officer and Registry.

Next steps

  • The Crisis Team will assess the situation and co-ordinate a programme of support for students, staff, parents and family. This may be done by telephone or by meeting at the earliest time. 
  • If the student or students’ next of kin live within approximately 150 miles of Glasgow the University Chaplain will immediately make arrangements to visit. They will express the University's condolences, and offer appropriate assistance with funeral or Memorial Service arrangements. 
  • In the period up to and immediately after the funeral the Crisis Team will continue to offer support to the students' family and staff involved.
  • Should the death be the result of a major incident the Crisis Team will work closely with the University’s Major Incident Team and the emergency authorities.

Support for the family

  • We aim to provide sensitive and supportive care for family, students and staff affected. Support and involvement with the family from the University should continue for whatever length of time, and in whatever way, is appropriate and reasonable.
  • Should the family wish little or no involvement with the University this will be respected.
  • The Chaplaincy can facilitate access to appropriate support whatever religion or belief position the next of kin may hold.
  • Funerals will be attended by the Chaplain with senior departmental staff and, wherever possible, a member of University senior management. 
  • Memorial services can be arranged on the express agreement of the next of kin to take place in the Chapel or another suitable place. Departments may be asked to cover additional costs to the University arising from services. The University Chaplain can advise on this.
  • If the family of the deceased wishes to meet any student or member of staff who were close to the deceased, the Crisis Team will seek to ensure that the permission of the individual(s) is agreed first and that an outline of the meeting with the parents will be made very clear.

Support for students and staff

  • Students and staff who knew the student should be informed of the death. The Crisis Team can advise on how this should be done, and who should do it. In the event of death by suicide no information should be given out, unless there has been given the express consent of the student’s family
  • Departments should be as accommodating as possible towards students who may need to miss classes to attend the funeral. 

Administrative Notes

  • Deceased students may be awarded their degree posthumously. Advice on this can be provided by the Clerk of Senate.
  • The family should not be asked to return any University property before the funeral. If the deceased student was in possession of any items such as library books, an appropriate member of staff may arrange collection of the items. A particular individual should be appointed to this task by the Head of Department in consultation with the Crisis Team.
  • If the deceased student owed money to the University, this will be dealt with sensitively. The University should let parents know that we are willing to deal with matters such as SAAS or student loans where it is feasible and reasonable.

Student in distress

Signs of distress

If there is no immediate risk to the student, or to others, then the situation is not urgent/a crisis.

However, the student may be:

  • Agitated or behaving erratically
  • Changing mood/behaviour
  • Panicky/incoherent
  • Struggling to concentrate
  • Sad/miserable/tearful
  • Smelling of alcohol/cannabis
  • Very loud/disinhibited
  • Withdrawn/very quiet

Or you may notice a significant change in:

  • Appearance: weight change, decline in personal hygiene
  • Behaviour: staying in bed all day, handing in work late, not attending classes, avoiding going out

Possible causes of distress are listed below, with the recommended support service(s) for you to refer the student to in each case.

If there is no immediate risk to the student, or to others, then the situation is not urgent.

Find out below which support services can best help your student.

Or download: Helping Distressed Students: A Guide for University Staff (pdf)

Student has a health problem

Refer them to their GP

If they aren’t registered with a GP:

Student has a problem with addiction

Refer them to their GP

If they aren’t registered with a GP:

Student needs support for ongoing mental health problem

Refer them to the Disability Service

Student has experienced sexual violence or harassment

Student shows signs of an eating disorder

Refer them to their GP

If they aren’t registered with a GP:

Student is experiencing discrimination, harassment or bullying

Please refer to the Guidance on Receiving a Report of Assault, Harassment, Violence or Discrimination from a Student.

 

Student has suffered a bereavement

Refer them to Counselling & Psychological Services

Or refer them to the Chaplaincy

International student?

If the student is from overseas and may need help arranging to get home, refer them to International Student Support.

Student is worried about academic matters

Refer them to their Adviser of Studies, College Advising Office or Student Support Officer.

Student has financial problems

Refer them to the SRC Advice Centre

or

Financial Aid Team

Student has a persistent study problem

Refer them to The Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Service (LEADS)

Student has a problem related to being from overseas

Refer them to International Student Support

Student is suffering from ill mental health and needs assistance

Refer them to Counselling & Psychological Services

or

Breathing Space

Samaritans Glasgow

Student has an accommodation problem

For University accommodation, refer them to the management or Residence Life Team in their accommodation

For private accommodation, refer them to the SRC Advice Centre

Student has needs relating to religion or spirituality

Refer them to the Interfaith Chaplaincy

Student needs to talk things though with someone

Suggest

Student has a complaint

Refer them to the SRC Advice Centre

How to make a complaint

Student hasn't been seen for a period of time

In the event of a student that appears to be missing the following must be ascertained at an early stage:

  • The last date/time the student attended lectures or meetings and who with
  • The current contact details including: both home and University addresses, email addresses and phone numbers
  • The course that the student is studying.

If there is no answer on the student's mobile then the home phone number should be tried. If there is no response or a negative result then this should be escalated to the security team by phone: +44 (0) 141 330 4444 or email: security-main-campus@glasgow.ac.uk.

This will then be reviewed and then a decision will be made to contact Police Scotland if required.                      

Something else

I think a student needs help but they haven't asked for it

If there is no immediate risk to the student, or to others, then the situation is not urgent.

Possible causes

The student may be:

  • Bereaved
  • Generally depressed or anxious
  • Having unexplained study or money problems
  • Homesick, lonely and isolated
  • Having problems with relationships
  • Suffering from low self-esteem

If you suspect there is a problem but the student won't accept help:

  • Make it clear that you will help if the student changes their mind
  • Monitor the situation
  • Alert the student’s Adviser of Studies, or other relevant person, about continuing concerns

Student's parent is looking for them

'A parent of one of my students has called as they haven’t heard from them for a few weeks. They're concerned because this is out of character, and want me to let them know what's going on...'

State the following: 'If they are a student, I will pass on a message for them to contact you'.

This is all you can do, as it's against Data Protection legislation to give out any information without the student's consent.

We can neither confirm nor deny that someone is a student at the University, because to do so would divulge their personal information.

The student is an adult and may not want contact with the person who called you; the person may not even be their parent.

If the student doesn't respond to your message:

  • Make enquiries: find out whether the student has been going to classes
  • Ask their Adviser of Studies if they've heard anything

If the matter doesn’t resolve itself and you are concerned, contact the Crisis Team via Security.

  • Gilmorehill: ext 4444  (0141 330 4444)
  • Garscube: ext 2222  (0141 330 2222)
  • Off campus: 0141 330 4444

Use of a student’s emergency contact

    Only members of the University Crisis Team have delegated authority to utilise emergency contacts, in situations where there is a serious risk to the student or others.  Please contact the crisis team on the numbers listed above if you feel that a situation requires the University to engage with an emergency contact.

    Feedback

    If you have any suggestions or questions about this page, please contact: studentcounselling@glasgow.ac.uk