Student information

What is Early Alert?
The Early Alert Program supports student learning by identifying students who may be at risk of academic difficulty or failure.

How did I get referred?
A professor or advisor noticed you might need additional assistance outside of class and submitted an online referral form to Early Alert for a number of reasons, to include, but not limited to:

• Excessive/unexplained absences
• Missed assignments or exams
• Habitual tardiness
• Low quiz and test grades
• Unprepared or disengaged with class discussions
• Classroom behavioral problems
• Evidence of weak study skills
• Health concerns
• Concern that student is struggling to balance work, family and school commitments
• Potential isolation from other students

What is the process and who is involved?
After a referral is received, you will receive an outreach letter from Early Alert encouraging you to meet with your academic advisor and the person who made the referral. The Student Success coordinator may also recommend an appointment with the learning center to discuss academic services and other campus resources. The intervention may vary depending on the circumstances reported. In some instances, a referral is brought to the Student Success Committee.

What is the Student Success Committee?
The Student Success Committee meets regularly to collect relevant information from key campus departments so that a course of action can be developed to best address a student's needs. It includes the:

• dean of students
• director of admissions
• learning center director
• disability support services coordinator
• director of service and diversity initiatives
• assistant dean of student financial services
• residence life director
• First Year Seminar director

Academic advisors are always notified and invited to attend these meetings when one of their advisees is scheduled for discussion. Other university personnel may be asked to attend when appropriate. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), information is shared on a need-to-know basis and does not become part of a student's permanent record.

What resources are available to me?
Explore the various campus resources linked to this page to learn more about the important services they provide. You can also contact the Early Alert/Student Success Program or the Student Success coordinator, 360-486-8823.

Does a referral mean I’m failing a class?
Receiving a referral does not necessarily mean you are failing a class. You could have been referred for a number of reasons. Speak directly to your course instructor to clarify the reason for the referral and to get a better idea of where you stand in the class.

Can you explain the difference between Early Alert/Student Success and academic probation?
It is important that each student is aware of the implications of academic probation and understands that receiving an Early Alert referral does not mean you are on probation! An easy way to understand the difference is to think of Early Alert as an early intervention program that helps keep you off academic probation. If you are already on probation, the program asks your professors to report periodically on your academic progress to the learning center. For details about what it means to be on academic probation, please refer to the SMU Academic Catalog (page 73). To understand how probationary status can affect your financial aid, please review the Satisfaction Academic Progress Policy.

Can I refer myself?
Absolutely! Call 360-486-8823 or e-mail us at early.alert@stmartin.edu. Students who take the initiative to ask for help are already on the right track! We can help you develop a plan and get you connected with the appropriate campus or community resources.