Student Support

The Butler University PA Program is committed to the holistic well-being of every student. A range of support services is available to students year-round through the University and the program. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these services upon entry into the program and to seek support proactively, rather than waiting until a challenge becomes a crisis. Faculty and staff are available to help connect students with the appropriate resources at any time.

Academic Advising

All students will be paired with a PA faculty member who will serve as their advisor throughout the PA program. Students will meet with their advisor at least one time each semester. During orientation, advisors will provide contact information and instructions for scheduling appointments. The advisor is the first point of contact for any concern that a student might face that is not otherwise addressed by the faculty of record in a particular course. As advisors, faculty members advise; they do not make decisions for students. Faculty members are primarily academic advisors, but they also are available to assist with any problem, which even remotely affects academic progress. They may not have all the answers, but they will help find the right people who do have the answers.

The student is responsible for ensuring they have the correct requirements for graduation. Academic advisors do not counsel students on medical, personal, or mental health issues; rather, they will refer students to campus resources available through the University Counseling and Consultation services for assistance. As advisors, faculty members are available anytime during the school year, not just during class registration periods. If a student’s academic advisor is unavailable and the student has an emergent issue that needs immediate attention, he or she should contact the Program Director or the Office of Student Success or the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for assistance. In instances where advisors will be on a prolonged leave (medical leave, parental leave, sabbatical, etc.), students will temporarily be assigned another academic advisor.

CHP Office of Student Success

The Office of Student Affairs will assist PA students with many issues, including policy clarification, support as a confidential student advocate, class officers and elections, Health Sciences Student Assembly (HSSA), college awards, and obtaining space in CHP lower concourse.

Academic Accommodations and Student Disability Services

The PA Program is committed to fostering an equitable and supportive learning environment for all students. Butler’s Student Disability Services (SDS) partners with the program to facilitate individualized, equitable access to learning environments for students with documented disabilities or diagnoses, including but not limited to hearing loss, visual impairment, learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mobility impairments, chronic medical conditions, and psychiatric or emotional disabilities.

Students are strongly encouraged to register with SDS prior to starting the program, rather than waiting until academic difficulties arise. The registration process requires completion of an interest form, submission of supporting documentation, and an individual meeting with an SDS staff member to determine eligible accommodations. Once registered, students retain full control over whether and when to activate their accommodations on a course-by-course or exam-by-exam basis. Registration does not obligate a student to use accommodations; it ensures that support is available without delay should circumstances require it.

For more information or to begin the registration process, students may visit the Butler SDS website.

Student Success Coaching

Academic student success coaching and student success workshops are available through the Student Success Center.

Counseling and Consultation Services

Butler’s Counseling and Consultation Services offer a variety of mental health resources to aid current students. Access information is available through the links below. Students may also be referred by Counseling and Consultation Services to resources outside the University and will be responsible for paying the costs incurred for services and treatment provided through outside agencies.

Crisis Services

A mental health crisis is any situation in which a person’s behavior puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others and/or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function effectively in the community. If you or someone you are concerned about is in crisis, more information is available on the Crisis Services page.

Therapy and Counseling Services

CCS provides the following services to help students address a variety of mental health concerns: individual and couple counseling, group counseling, animal-assisted therapy, psychiatric services, and alcohol and other drug services. More information about the services and scheduling of appointments are available through their website. Drop-in and teletherapy services are also available.

Other Mental Health/Well-being Resources

Free to Butler University Students: Calm Meditation app, Togetherall (24/7 anonymous online support community monitored by licensed clinicians), Wayhaven (AI well-being coach), Uber transportation to clinics and emergency facilities, UNWIND (bookable relaxation space), and the Compass Center (spiritual and vocational exploration and guidance).

Student Concerns and Grievances

Concerns

Students may have feedback or concerns about various educational issues. The MPAS program has a duty and obligation to listen and respond. Issues associated with individual course content, policies, or grading should be directed to the course instructor/coordinator. For all concerns that extend beyond a course, use the following flowchart.

See the "Flowchart Image Description" section below the image for a text version of the flowchart that outlines the reporting structure for concerns from students about various topics.

The above image depicts the chain of communication for student concerns.

First area – Student Organization Concerns – Student Organizations
- First, Organization’s Faculty Advisor
- Second, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
- Third, Dean of COPHS
Second area – Course of Concerns – Content Policies and Grading
- Individual Concern
  - First, Course Instructor/Coordinator
  - Second, Program Director
  - Third, Department Chair
  - Fourth, Associate Dean of Academic/Administrations
  - Fifth, Dean of COPHS
- Multiple Student Concern
  - First, Class Officers
  - Second, Program Director
  - Third, Department Chair
  - Fourth, Associate Dean of Academic/Administrations
  - Fifth, Dean of COPHS
Third area – Program Concerns – Curriculum or Academic Issues
- First, Program Director
- Second, Associate Dean of Academic/Administrations
- Third, Dean of COPHS
Fourth Area – Non-Academic Concerns – Non-academic college policies, professionalism, University policy, or college student issues
- First, Assistant of Student Affairs or Associate Dean of Academic/Administrations
- Second, Dean of COPHS
Fifth area – Advisor/Faculty Concerns – The student’s advisor or other faculty member
- First, Faculty Member
- Second, Department Chair
- Third, Dean of COPHS
Box at the bottom of the image reads: “Important Note: Any student concern related to being treated differently than their peers, should be reported to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs or Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. In some cases, student concerns may not follow this path directly. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your faculty advisor first.”

Grievances

Butler University is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of inappropriate and unwelcome conduct based on all the criteria listed above. To be unlawful, such conduct—verbal, graphic, physical, electronic, or otherwise—must be so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with a student’s ability to benefit from educational opportunities or an employee’s ability to work or take advantage of the benefits of employment. Butler is committed to protecting students and employees from such conduct whether by other members of the university community or third parties.

If you have reason to believe someone is being subjected to behavior that violates this Policy, you need to report the matter to one of the following:

Martha Dziwlik, University Dean of Students
mdziwlik@butler.edu
317-940-9470

Gayle Hartleroad, COPHS Assistant Dean
ghartleroad@butler.edu
317-940- 6535

It is a violation of this policy for anyone to take significant adverse action against a person for making a good faith report of a violation of this policy or participating in the investigation of alleged discrimination or harassment. For the full University policy (approved 7/20/2017) and additional information related to investigations, appeals, etc., please refer to this section of the Butler University Student Handbook.

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