Saluki Cares was created during the summer of 2009 with the goal of helping all SIUC students to know that, as a member of our community, we care about them! Their overall well-being, experience, and success as a student here at Southern Illinois University is important, and we want to help them get the care, referrals, and answers they seek.
Saluki Cares is an early alert initiative composed of professionals from different areas of campus life who deal with students on a regular basis. Team members include volunteers from Academic Support, Academic Affairs/Faculty, Enrollment Management, International Programs and Services, Student Development, University Housing, Wellness, Counseling, International Programs and Services, and others. All concerns remain confidential. Referrals are made from faculty, staff, parents, other students, and by the student him/herself.
Saluki Cares offers a supportive and encouraging partnership with students by linking them with appropriate resources to overcome barriers on their path to success—both personal and educational.
Although in existence for only 3 semesters, Saluki Cares has been able to assist 372 students by referring them to the appropriate resource(s). These students tend to be in some form of distress and are struggling with, or seeking answers related to a wide-range of issues including, but not limited to: homesickness/loneliness/adjustment; medical/health issues; financial concerns; house fires; car accidents; family/friend deaths; victim/survivor issues; academic matters, and many other general signs of stress and challenges facing our students. This assistance helps with retention. Over the three-semester period of Saluki Cares existence, we celebrate a 75% retention rate of students’ who have utilized Saluki Cares and chosen to stay at SIUC.
Some testimonials of the program’s success include:
“I do not believe I can thank you enough or show you how appreciative of you services that I am. So I will say one more time thank you again for your help!” SIUC Student
“Saluki Cares has served a vital role in assisting students to cope better with big issues through student care, intervention, and referral services” - English Department
“Over the past couple of weeks, indeed over the past couple of semesters, the Writing Studies Program has turned to Saluki Cares to intervene in cases where students have shown signs of needing counseling services and other programs with which Saluki Cares can assist. The program truly seems to have hit its stride and is operating well to contact students and help them get the services they need.
Dr. Dively has spoken to multiple members of the Saluki Cares team recently and has been impressed with the speed and skill with which they have handled various situations.” - English Department
"I really appreciate all you both were able to do for us today, it certainly makes me feel like I will leave (name) in good hands when I have to return home." – SIUC Student’s mother
"I am so happy to find that SIUC has so many good programs in place to help out in the event of something tragic like this. I look forward to continuing to work with you all to assure that (name)’s experience here will be the success she is working for. Thank you again!" – SIUC Student’s mother
For more information, please visit http://www.salukicares.siuc.edu/, or contact us directly at (618) 453-5714.
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