When to Send Action Items
Action Items alert a student’s Academic Advisor to provide additional support, complementing an instructor’s outreach. They do not replace important conversations instructors have with students about their performance or needs.
Please send an Action Item in MyBU Student to a student’s Academic Advisor when:
- Absences, missed coursework, difficulty with course material, and low scores recur after the instructor’s attempts at outreach and support.
- A student’s behavior in class has changed or is mildly concerning (i.e., falling asleep in class, frequent low engagement), and the student is unresponsive to the instructor’s initial outreach.
- A student has disclosed mild or moderate concerns related to finances, stress, health, or general wellbeing.
The tables below compare instances in which instructor outreach, Action Items, and/or other interventions are appropriate or required (e.g., cases impacted by mandatory reporting procedures). The examples here are not exhaustive; for advice on other types of concerns, contact school/college administrators.
ACADEMIC CONCERNS
| Instance | Instructor Outreach to Student | Send Action Item | Recommended Additional Support | Required Additional Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 absences | Yes | No | ||
| Repeated/disruptive absences | Yes | Yes, if the absences are affecting the student’s success in the course | ||
| Difficulty with course material | Yes | Yes, if the difficulty is affecting the student’s success in the course | Connect to TA and/or tutoring | |
| 1-2 missed assignments | Optional | No | ||
| Repeated missing assignments | Yes | Yes, if the missing assignments are affecting the student’s success in the course | ||
| 1 missed quiz/test or low quiz/test score | Optional | No | ||
| Multiple missed quizzes/tests or low quiz/test scores | Yes | Yes, if the missing assessments are affecting the student’s success in the course | ||
| Missed exam/low exam score | Yes | Yes | ||
| Mid-term grade A to C range | Yes (if concerned) | No | Connect to tutoring if concerned | |
| Mid-term grade C- or lower | Yes (if concerned) | No | Submit an update via the Midsemester Review process | |
| Frequent low engagement | Yes | Yes | ||
| Regularly falling asleep in class | Yes | Yes | ||
| Academic Integrity concern | Yes (following appropriate policies) | No | Follow Provost’s Office’s policies |
PERSONAL/WELLBEING CONCERNS
| Instance | Instructor Outreach to Student | Send Action Item | Recommended Additional Support | Required Additional Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosed financial concerns | Yes | Yes, if you believe advisor assistance would be beneficial to the student | Refer the student to the appropriate resource from Supporting Students Across Campus | |
| Disclosed family concerns | Yes | Yes, if you believe advisor assistance would be beneficial to the student | Refer the student to the appropriate resource from Supporting Students Across Campus | |
| Disclosed health issues | Yes | Yes, if you believe advisor assistance would be beneficial to the student | Connect to tutoring or Disability & Access Services; refer the student to the appropriate resource from Supporting Students Across Campus | |
| Struggling; having a hard time | Yes | Yes, if you believe advisor assistance would be beneficial to the student | Refer the student to the appropriate resource from Supporting Students Across Campus | |
| Disclosed mild to moderate stress | Yes | Yes, if you believe advisor assistance would be beneficial to the student | If moderate, connect to Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at (617) 353-3569; refer the student to the appropriate resource from Supporting Students Across Campus | |
| Urgent mental health issue or severe stress | Yes | No | Contact Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at (617) 353-3569 | |
| Disclosed relationship danger and/or sexual assault | Yes: follow mandatory reporting procedures | No | Contact Survivor Advocacy, Response & Prevention (SARP) at (617) 353-7277 |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Action Items for Instructors: comprehensive how-to guide on submitting Action Items in MyBU Student.
- Supporting Students Across Campus: information and resources on supporting student wellbeing on campus.
This page was last updated June 2026. To download a PDF copy of this resource, print this webpage as a PDF.
