Early Alert Policy

Purpose

The purpose of the Early Alert Program is to identify students exhibiting at risk behaviors that are impacting academic performance and to effectively intervene by establishing a referral process available to faculty, leading to increased retention, increased utilization of campus support services and a reduction in the number of students in academic probation and /or dismissal status.

Scope

All students attending Northwestern Health Sciences University

Overview

The Early Alert Program is a retention program that places at risk students in contact with the appropriate campus resources to assist them in meeting their educational goals at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Faculty, clinic supervisors and staff members contribute directly to the Early Alert system's success by referring students who may be having difficulty with one or more classes or clinic rotations because of:

Deficit academic performance
Class attendance
Behavioral concerns
Life stress
Financial concerns that are negatively impacting academic performance

Northwestern Health Sciences University is committed to the retention and graduation of its students by providing a learning environment that is conducive to student success. The Early Alert system has been put in place to help ensure that every student is able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities and academic support services available on campus.

Procedure

At the beginning of each trimester an Early Alert welcome letter is sent to all faculty and staff members. This letters details the purpose of Early Alert and how to access and utilize the system.
Students that are at risk academically are identified and entered into the Early Alert database through one of four methods:
- Students that have been placed on academic probation at the end of the previous trimester
- All incoming chiropractic students that are enrolled through the AATP (Custom Track) Program or GPA Exceptions
- Through the collection of exam grades in Basic Science Courses for all T1 and T2 chiropractic students
- Through the submission of an online Early Alert Form
  - Click here to access the form: Early Alert Form
  - Access to this form is also available to faculty through Moodle.

All Early Alert submissions are received and reviewed by the Registrar prior to being entered into the Early Alert database.
- Students that have experienced academic difficulty in two or more courses are listed as priority and a faculty mentor is assigned to them, if one has not already been assigned.
- Students with mental health or behavioral concerns are referred to the Office of Student Affairs
The faculty mentor is notified of the student’s need for support and asked to set up a meeting with the student. The purpose of the meeting is to reach out to assist the student by identifying additional steps that can be taken to resolve current difficulties.
The faculty mentor is asked to notify the Registrar when the meeting is scheduled.
The Registrar will update the database accordingly.

A student is considered “closed” by the Early Alert when one or more of the following criteria has been met:
- Student demonstrates academic improvement and stability over a period of time
- The mentor determines the student no longer requires assistance
- Academic support services have been provided to student and student is actively taking advantage of those resources
- Improvement occurs in the management of life stressors and academic performance improves
- Student chooses to withdraw from the program or institution

Students identified through the Early Alert system may be referred to the following support services based on individual need:
- Individual peer tutoring
- Group peer tutoring
- Open lab sessions
- Scheduled meetings with faculty to review course material
- Academic advising to review course load and academic plan
- Study skills assistance
- Mental health counseling
- Disability services
- Registrar or Financial Aid offices
- Community emergency financial assistance
- Conduct/Behavioral standards