IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
The University of Pennsylvania provides a wide range of services to support the academic progress and the well being of our students. Among these services are services to support the psychological and mental wellness of students. Penn's Student Intervention Services team is one such service.
Faculty, staff, and other students are sometimes the first point of contact for a student in distress. The Student Intervention Services (SIS) team is committed to helping the University community deal with emergencies or crises involving the welfare and safety of our students. Throughout the academic year, faculty and staff may be presented with situations that seem to be adversely affecting the lives of students, their friends, family, or other members of our community. SIS can be used as a resource to help coordinate the services needed to partner students, and those family members and community members who nurture students' interests and aspirations, through crises.
SIS is convened through the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life working closely with the Schools, the Department of Public Safety, UPPD Special Services/Victim Support, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, the Office of the Chaplain, and other relevant University offices. The SIS team collaborates with other relevant University resources and administrators to:
- Help coordinate the dissemination of information;
- Support the provision of services to students and others impacted by the emergency or crisis; and
- Serve as a resource to Penn coummunity members affected by a crisis.
A member of the SIS team is available to assist University community members who are helping a Penn student through a crisis. SIS team members can help:
- Inform the appropriate University staff and resources of the situation as well as ensure the confidentiality and security of the affected student(s);
- Arrange for support services and resources for the student and others impacted by a crisis;
- Make appropriate referrals and identify primary person(s) who will be in direct contact with family members; and
- Provide collaborative follow-up services as needed.
Additionally, SIS is responsible for coordinating, compiling and distributing VPUL's Campus Student Emergency Procedures Manual, which is updated and used by key University offices and personnel each semester. The manual is used as a reference and outlines protocols to assist faculty and staff who may experience any number of exigent student situations. The manual also provides a quick index to specialists and phone numbers of persons who serve as resources.
For information about SIS, please contact the SIS team at 215-898-6081; visit us at 3611 Locust Walk.