Care & Support

We’ve got your back

When you need a caring, knowledgeable, and supportive champion, we are in your corner. Emergencies happen—academic or personal—and when they do, we are here for you.

Sometimes, you might even find yourself needing extra support in or outside of the classroom. We have several care and support resources and services to help you thrive.

To have a member of the Office of the Dean of Students staff reach out to you, request support through our online form.

Please be aware that the Care Team and the Office of the Dean of Students staff are not confidential employees, but we are committed to respecting your privacy.

Contact the Office of the Dean of Students

Phone: 317-274-4431

Email: indycare@iu.edu

Office: Campus Center Room 350

If you need a confidential advocate for situations of sexual, dating, or relationship violence or stalking, please email saadv@iu.edu or call 317-274-2548.

Get help

Submit a Care and Support Referral

If you’re concerned about a student complete this form. A staff member will follow up with your student and help them get the support they need. Students, faculty, and family members can complete this form.

Shop at the food pantry

Paws’ Pantry is the on-campus food pantry, which supports students with food and personal hygiene products. You can visit the pantry once per week by making an appointment.

Apply for emergency financial support

If you’re facing an unexpected financial challenge or nearing graduation with limited remaining funds, seek emergency financial aid. You can also schedule a virtual appointment with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss options.

Meeting your basic needs

We’ve compiled a list of Indianapolis-based organizations that can help you with everything from housing to transportation to childcare to legal support. If you need an immediate connection to a resource, call 2-1-1.

Loan a laptop

All currently enrolled IU Indianapolis students have access to the Loaner Laptop Program for short-term needs.

Learn about the Care Team

IU Indy’s campus-wide Care Team works to support the health, safety, and success of our campus community.

Absence and attendance policies

Learn about university policies related to absences, withdrawing from classes, dropping classes, and more.

Confidential advocacy services

If you have experienced sexual misconduct or believe your rights have been violated, you can connect with the confidential advocate in Counseling and Psychological Services for options and resources.

Request accommodations with AES

Accessible Educational Services is the disability services office for IU Indy. Request accommodations and upload your documentation online now.

University policies and procedures

If you’re considering dropping or withdrawing from classes or have questions about absences or grades, review the information below prior to taking action. You can also contact your advisor for additional help.

There is no single university policy on absences. Communicate directly with your professors if you are unable to attend classes. Depending on the policies for a particular course or department, they may request documentation such as a doctor’s note.

We do not provide oversight for academic units or faculty. However, in an emergency such as hospitalization, we can contact your instructors if you will miss class for three or more days or are unable to inform them directly. We recommend talking with your instructors as soon as possible to discuss accommodations and make-up procedures for your courses. A withdrawal from classes may be necessary for extended absences.

There are several deadlines each term for dropping classes. If you can no longer drop a class on your own through One.IU—this deadline is usually the first week of the term—you must meet with your academic advisor. More information about dropping classes can be found online.

Before submitting a grade change appeal, we recommend speaking with your instructor calmly, directly, and in person. If you believe your course grade is incorrect, you can follow the university’s formal grade change procedures. As with all university policies, we are available to help you understand these procedures and navigate the process.

If you have other concerns about a professor’s conduct or are unable to reach a resolution on other disputes, you may address your concerns to the course coordinator or department chair. You can also request an appointment with us for conflict coaching to discuss your concerns and ways to approach the conversation with your instructor.

When an emergency prevents you from being able to attend courses, you may need to withdraw from classes. Being hospitalized, a death in your immediate family, or being the victim of a crime are just a few examples of what might constitute an emergency. If you aren’t sure if your situation warrants an emergency withdrawal, we can help you figure it out.

You may need documentation to withdraw from a class. Your documentation should provide your contact information, including name, address, and phone and fax numbers, as well as answer the questions below. It should also be signed and dated. We can help you submit this documentation.

  • What is the medical diagnosis for which you are receiving treatment?
  • When was the last time, and for how long, were you provided treatment for this condition?
  • Has the medical condition worsened since you enrolled in college? If yes, identify any extenuating factors that may have been involved.
  • List any reasons why it is necessary for you to withdraw from the university.

We respect your privacy

We want you to feel comfortable voicing your concerns and considering all the options to your problem. It's important to know that the Office of the Dean of Students is not a confidential office, but we strive to maintain your privacy.

Generally, we will not share your concerns or situation with others. There may be times where we have to consult with other faculty and staff to provide you with the most effective support, but we will not share your information with individuals who do not have a need to know.

Additionally, there is some information that we are required to report by law and/or university policy. For example, should a student disclose information related to harm to themself or others, sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence, abuse of a child or endangered adult, or crimes that occurred on or near campus, our staff may be required to report that information to the appropriate university office or law enforcement agency. If you have any questions about our reporting obligations, don’t hesitate to ask.

We follow the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and will only discuss your concerns with individuals outside the university if you have given permission, if we are required by law, or if there is a perceived imminent risk of serious harm. There may be certain circumstances in which students want the Office of the Dean of Students to work with a third party, such as a parent or family member. If this is the case, the student should contact our office so that we can provide them with the appropriate release form to complete.