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SOAR Program

Student Opportunities, Advocacy and Resources

Make a Recommendation
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Important: If a student is in an immediate crisis or an emergency situation, call Campus Police at 325-674-2305.

Our Mission: Partner with faculty, staff, parents and students to assist ACU students and connect them to resources available to support their path to success. Build a caring community at ACU by connecting students with faculty, staff, parents, and peers.

“SOAR has really helped me adjust to college life. The staff is helpful and friendly, and they encourage you to be confident in your own abilities. Whether it’s questions about housing and chapel, or social issues with friends and family, they are responsive and ready to help. It’s a nice place to send friends who I know could also benefit the way I have.” – Madison

What is SOAR?

  • Student Opportunities, Advocacy, and Resources (SOAR)
  • SOAR is a recommendation program that connects students to resources on ACU’s campus.
  • We seek to create a safe environment for students to discuss challenges and obstacles they face.
  • We provide a secure, online recommendation form.
  • After students are recommended, we contact them and connect them with campus resources, which include but are not limited to:
    • Counseling Center
    • Alpha Scholars Program
    • Career Counseling
    • Medical Clinic
    • Residence Life
    • University Access Programs (tutoring, academic coaching, etc.)
    • The Writing Center
    • The Speaking Center
    • In situations related to potential harm to self or others, the student is referred to the Behavior Intervention Team (BIT).
  • Our staff can support students in numerous ways: by helping reach solutions to barriers that have arisen, by helping navigate financial concerns or questions, by serving as advocates for students in discussions with faculty, by providing a safe, confidential environment to relate to others, and many other support functions.

Who can recommend?

Anyone concerned about a student: parents, peers on campus or ACU faculty and staff members. Additionally, a student can recommend themselves to SOAR.

How do I recommend?

We have three secure ways for you to submit your recommendation:
Online: Recommendation Form
Phone: 325-674-2036
Email: soar@acu.edu

When should I recommend?

If you are unsure about the best campus resource for a student or if you would like some coaching on the best way to handle a student situation, please call us and we will evaluate the situation together.

If you notice a student who could benefit from being better connected to additional resources, please contact us. The earlier a student is recommended, the greater success we have working with them.

You can make a recommendation anonymously and the SOAR staff will never reveal your name to the student you have recommended. However, we believe that the best, healthiest situation is to tell the student you are recommending them to SOAR. A non-anonymous recommendation allows:

  • The student to be aware that you care about them and their success,
  • An opportunity for a positive conversation between you and the student,
  • And, a better likelihood that the student responds favorably from a contact from the SOAR staff.

What does the process entail?

Once we receive your recommendation, we:

  • Contact the student via text message, phone call, or email.
  • Meet with the student to assess the situation.
  • Collaborate with the student to determine the campus resource that would be most helpful.
  • Follow-up with the student to determine if their needs were met.
  • Follow-up with you to let you know the status of your recommendation.

Connect with SOAR

If you are a student who could use the support of SOAR, please contact us. Our secure, online recommendation form is available to anyone. The earlier we can connect with you during your challenging time, the greater success you will have at ACU.

Email: soar@acu.edu

If you are submitting a recommendation for a student, we believe the healthiest situation is to tell the student you are recommending them to SOAR. You can make a recommendation anonymously; however, an open recommendation allows:

  • The student to be aware that you care about them and their success;
  • An opportunity for a positive conversation between you and the student; and
  • A better likelihood the student responds favorably to contact from the SOAR staff.
SOAR Recommendation Form