You make Allen work. Here’s what you need.
Tools, contacts, key dates, and guidance for the faculty and staff who teach the mind to think, the hands to work, and the heart to love.
You may be the first to notice. Here’s what to do.
Students often share a struggle with a professor or staff member before anyone else. You don’t have to be a counselor. You just have to recognize, respond, and refer.
- Step 1
Recognize
- Repeated absences or missed work
- A sudden drop in grades or effort
- Changes in mood, appearance, or energy
- Comments about hopelessness, or that worry you
- Step 2
Respond
- Talk privately, and describe what you’ve noticed
- Listen without judging or rushing
- Show you care. You don’t need to solve it
- Never promise to keep a safety concern secret
- Step 3
Refer
- Connect the student to the right office below
- Offer to make the call or walk over together
- Follow up later to check in
- Not sure? Call Counseling & Placement to consult
- Immediate dangerCall 911
- Campus Police, 24/7(803) 223-4544
- Emotional crisis, 24/7Call or text 988
- Counseling & Placement803-376-5738
- Sexual misconductTitle IX →
- Money worriesFinancial Aid →
Learn your reporting responsibilities as an Allen employee on the Title IX page.
What do you need today?
Pick a topic. We’ll show you only what you need.
Teaching & academics
Campus & facilities
Supporting students
Policies & privacy
- Check with the Registrar before sharing any student record
- Return graded work so others can’t see grades
- Use Allen systems and email for student information
- Refer parents to the Registrar to learn about student consent
- Discuss a student’s grades or records with parents without written consent
- Post grades by name or student ID
- Leave rosters or graded work where others can see them
- Share records with employees who don’t need them for their job
FERPA protects student education records. Once students enroll in college, the rights belong to them, not their parents.
The faculty & staff rhythm.
These milestones come around every year. The highlighted card is what’s coming up now. Exact dates are on the academic calendar.
- August
Faculty & Staff Fall Planning Institute
The year begins together, before classes start.
- Early October
Fall midterm grades due
Submit midterm grades by the posted deadline.
- October
Fall Evaluation of Instruction
Students evaluate courses. Encourage them to take part.
- Late November
Fall final grades due
Undergraduate, accelerated, and graduate grades.
- Early December
Professional development days
Time set aside for growth before the term closes.
- Early January
Faculty & Staff Institute
We regroup and plan for spring.
- March
Spring midterm grades due
Submit midterm grades by the posted deadline.
- April
Spring Evaluation of Instruction
Students evaluate spring courses.
- May
Final grades & Leadership Retreat
Spring grades close the year, followed by the Leadership Retreat.
Invest in yourself, right here at Allen.
Your growth matters to us. These are the places to learn, lead, and take your next step.
- Every August & JanuaryFaculty & Staff InstitutesPlan, learn, and reconnect with colleagues before each semester.See the dates →
- Every DecemberProfessional development daysTime set aside on the calendar for your growth.See the dates →
- Civil dialogueBoeing Institute on CivilityAllen’s home for respectful conversation and civic engagement.Learn more →
- Your next roleOpen positions at AllenSee current openings, and share them with your network.View openings →
Free professional development
12 free resources
- FreeTeachingFacultyUniversal Design for Learning GuidelinesCASTA research-based framework for designing courses every learner can access.Start learning ↗
- FreeTeachingFacultyEquity-Minded Digital Learning Strategy GuidesEvery Learner Everywhere & Achieving the DreamFree guides on culturally responsive teaching and inclusive course design, including a case study of three HBCUs.Start learning ↗
- FreeTeachingFacultyFree, peer-reviewed textbooksOpenStax at Rice UniversityOpenly licensed textbooks for introductory courses, with instructor resources.Start learning ↗
- FreeAccessibilityFaculty & staffDigital Accessibility FoundationsW3C Web Accessibility InitiativeA free, self-paced introduction to creating accessible content.Start learning ↗
- FreeAccessibilityFaculty & staffAccessible documents & meetingsSection508.gov (U.S. GSA)Free courses on accessible Word documents and accessible meetings.Start learning ↗
- FreeAI & techEveryoneElements of AIUniversity of Helsinki & MinnaLearnA free introduction to what AI can and can’t do, with no math or coding required.Start learning ↗
- FreeAI & techEveryoneMicrosoft LearnMicrosoftFree modules on Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and AI tools for educators.Start learning ↗
- FreeGrants & fundingFaculty & staffGrants Learning CenterGrants.govThe federal government’s guide to the grant life cycle and applying for federal grants.Start learning ↗
- FreeGrants & fundingFaculty & staffCandid LearningCandidFree webinars and courses on finding funders and writing grant proposals.Start learning ↗
- FreeCompliance & safetyEveryoneFERPA 101: For Colleges & UniversitiesU.S. Department of EducationAn interactive course on student privacy basics. About one hour.Start learning ↗
- FreeCompliance & safetyEveryoneCampus emergency preparedness (IS-100.HE)FEMA Emergency Management InstituteIntroduction to the Incident Command System for higher education.Start learning ↗
- FreeStudent servicesAid & student servicesFSA Basic Training for New StaffFederal Student AidSelf-paced training on federal student aid for school officials.Start learning ↗
These are outside resources, not Allen programs. Ask your supervisor or Human Resources whether a course can count toward your professional development goals.
Browse the full Learning Library →What faculty & staff ask most.
A parent called asking about their student’s grades. What do I say?
Under FERPA, you can’t share a student’s records without the student’s written consent. Kindly refer the parent to the Registrar.
A student told me about sexual harassment or assault.
Listen, take it seriously, and contact the Title IX Coordinator. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 or Campus Police at (803) 223-4544.
I’m worried about a student but it’s not an emergency.
Use the Recognize, Respond, Refer steps on this page, and call Counseling & Placement to consult.
Something in my office or classroom is broken.
Submit a work order to the Physical Plant.
When are grades due?
Midterm and final grade deadlines are on the academic calendar, listed under faculty and staff dates.
Where do I find a colleague’s contact information?
Search the campus directory, or call the main line at 803-376-5700.
I need a logo, flyer template, or email signature.
Visit the Brand Studio for official logos, templates, and the email signature builder.
How can I share a job opening with someone I know?
Send them to AU Employment, where current openings and application steps are posted.
Who do I ask about pay, benefits, or HR policies?
Contact Human Resources.
Every graduate has a story. You’re in it.
Since 1870, Allen’s faculty and staff have carried its mission forward. Thank you for the work you do every day.
Main line: 803-376-5700