Overview
Established in February 2025, the Office of CARE and Case Management is a non-clinical service within the Division of Student Affairs that provides goal-oriented and strengths-based assessment, intervention, and coordination of services to students experiencing varying levels of distress due to academic, personal, or medical difficulties. Case Managers assist students with navigating University policies and processes, advocating on students' behalf and supporting holistic success.
Located in the Aubuchon Hall Office Suite (facing Russell Towers)
Operating Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: care@fitchburgstate.edu
This department also manages the operations of the Fitchburg State Community Assistance and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Team, Emergency Funding Requests, and additional support services.
CARE Referral
If you have a student you are concerned about, we encourage you to submit CARE Referral using the form below. Please note, this is not a system to use for emergencies. In case of an emergency, regardless of time of day, when a student's well-being is in jeopardy, please contact University Police at 978.665.3111. If you are concerned about a student, and are unsure of submitting your concern(s) through this form, please contact one of the CARE Team Chairs identified below:
If you are concerned about a student, and are unsure of submitting your concern(s) through this form, please contact the CARE and Case Management office directly by emailing care@fitchburgstate.edu or calling Joseph Flanagan at 978.665.3887.
Student Support Resources
CARE Team
Here to address the needs of students facing a variety of concerns.
Falcons Care Student Support
Nobody goes it alone and you won't either. Let us know how we can help.
Falcon Bazaar
The Falcon Bazaar Necessity and Food Pantry serves our students, faculty, and staff who may suffer from food insecurity.
Class Absences and Leaves of Absence
For short-term absences, when a student's concerns exceed what may be considered a typical absence, the Office of CARE and Case Management may support students by notifying faculty on the student’s behalf, seeking flexibility for the time of absence. Case Managers will often serve as a primary point of contact, connecting students to additional resources, and providing follow-up support as necessary. Please note, our outreach may not excuse students from coursework or class content they miss, and may not override attendance policy. Students will often be advised to coordinate with their professors directly, when able to do so.
Students may also work with CARE & Case Management when circumstances necessitate an extended leave from Fitchburg State (typically one to two semesters), due to medical, personal or military circumstances. We will support students with their departure, as well as their transition back to campus. Please review the Leave of Absence FAQ section below for more information.
Additional Support Provided:
- Individualized support to identify needs, goals and strategies for meeting goals
- Connecting students to campus resources and external agencies
- Guiding students through, and assisting with, administrative processes
- Advocating for students when students are unable to do so themselves
- Engaging in committees and processes that support student voices
- Supporting and promoting interventions for students referred by the CARE Team
CARE and Case Management Team
Joseph Flanagan
Jaimee Dalton
Leave of Absence FAQs
Students have the ability to request a short-term period of separation from the University, with the expressed intention of returning. This is known as a Leave of Absence, which may be requested for a variety of reasons:
- Medical and Mental Health
- Military
- Personal Reasons
Leaves of absence are primarily designed to be one semester, but we understand the timeframe may vary depending on the circumstances.
Students may make the decision to initiate a Leave of Absence before a semester begins, or while the semester is currently underway. Students can work with Case Management to discuss the terms of their Leave of Absence, and come up with a plan that is best for them, including options following the withdrawal deadline. Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs to formally request and process a Leave of Absence.
Leaves of Absence are designed for students who need to take time away from the University, with the intention of returning within the next semester or two. Withdrawals are for students who wish to leave the University entirely, or do not intend to return to the University for a prolonged or unknown period of time. Students seeking a Withdrawal should contact the Office of Student Affairs.
Students who are approved for a Leave of Absence maintain their active status as a student, despite being unenrolled in courses. You will continue receiving University communications to your student email account, and have the ability to contact your advisor regarding course advising for the semester you intend to return. You will not be able to register for courses until you indicate your return (more information on returning below).
Case Management will assist you in taking the appropriate leave based on the circumstances. In processing your request, Military Leaves require documentation of military orders including dates of service or duties. Medical Leaves will require a letter supporting a medical leave from a physician or clinician. Military and Medical Leaves are more open-ended in terms of a return timeline. Personal Leaves do not require documentation, but are typically limited to one semester unless otherwise approved by the Office of Student Affairs.
Military and Medical Leaves are more open-ended in terms of a return timeline. Personal Leaves are typically limited to one-semester unless otherwise approved by the Office of Student Affairs. However, students may be switched to a withdrawn status if there is no contact with the University for more than two consecutive semesters.
- Students who wish to return from a Medical Leave of Absence will be asked to complete the Return from Medical Leave Form, indicating their intent to return. Within that form, it is requested that students provide medical documentation, or a letter from a physician or clinician, which is supportive of the student’s return to their studies, and the Fitchburg State University community. The Office of Student Affairs will review this documentation (in consultation with other departments, as appropriate), to ensure that the appropriate supports may be in place to maximize the likelihood of the returning student’s success. Students who are unable to secure the above documentation in advance of their return to their studies at the University should be in contact with the Office of Student Affairs.
- Students returning from a Military Leave can contact the Registrar's Office to indicate their return. You can contact them at registrar@fitchburgstate.edu.
- Students returning from a Personal Leave may contact also contact the Registrar’s Office, or their faculty advisor directly, for assistance with course registration for the upcoming semester.
- For Financial Aid: Taking a Leave of Absence does not automatically pause any federal loan repayment. Students should consult with Financial Aid regarding deferment options. Similar steps should be taken with providers for private or alternative loans.
- For Student Accounts: Case Management will support students through the Tuition Appeal Process, which is the only process to request consideration of any outstanding balances or potential refunds in light of the circumstances. Please review the Institutional Refund Policy for information regarding submitting a Tuition Appeal.
- For Military Leaves of Absence: All charges are removed and any military tuition and fee benefits paid directly to Fitchburg State are returned.
Please note if you are receiving financial aid you should check with the Financial Aid office to understand how withdrawing from classes may impact your aid. Any other questions about your bill should be directed to Student Accounts.
We understand that life happens, and often quickly. Once the Office of Student Affairs has been made aware of a situation, Case Management will support students with their arrangements to the best of their ability, by working with other departments and amending any consequences that resulted from the circumstances as appropriate.
While Leaves of Absence are not always guaranteed after the Withdrawal Deadline has passed, Case Management will support students with alternative options for rectifying challenges associated with semester timelines. Please review the Academic Calendar for more information.
With the exception of Military Leaves, the Office of Student Affairs will reach out to students on Leave prior to the advising and registration period (unless a student has already indicated returning at a later semester). We will check-in, and let students know that the advising and registration has begun for the following semester, and request an update of whether or not the student intends to return to their studies at the University, or if alternate arrangements are needed.
When students return from a Leave of Absence, they will return under the status under which they left the university. For example, if a student was on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or a Dean’s Probation, then they will maintain that status upon their return.