Student Early Alert System (SEAS)


SEAS (Student Early Alert System) is the electronic tool for instructors to give timely feedback to students who may be in danger of failing a class.

How SEAS works:
  • SEAS is open for instructors to use for ALL students (including graduate students) for the ENTIRE semester.
  • An alert can be raised on a student as soon as an issue appears.
  • While instructors are encouraged to enter alerts throughout the semester as needed to give timely feedback to students, reminders will be emailed out to instructors throughout the semester to continue using SEAS to help students.
  • Instructors are able to give feedback on attendance, participation, assignments and quizzes/exams to students in each of their current classes.
  • Instructors give early alert feedback by logging on to myWSU, clicking on Teach/Advise tab then clicking on Student Early Alert System (SEAS) link in the Student Early Alert System channel. 
  • SEAS automatically generates an email from the instructor to the students outlining the reasons for the instructors' concerns; the instructor can then coach the student about how to improve classroom performance.
Some of the most common referral locations utilized by faculty include:
Visit the WSU Resources website for additional information.
Process for students receiving a flag in ONE course:
STEP 1: Instructor flags student(s) in SEAS.

Instructors will login to the portal, find the SEAS channel/box and select the Student Early Alert System (SEAS) link. From there, they will select the course for which they are entering flags.

Instructors can flag individual students on any of four dimensions: attendance, participation, assignments, exams/quizzes.

STEP 2: System sends automated email FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

The email will include the name of the course and the name of the instructor in the subject line.

The email is a supportive message that will indicate on which of the four dimensions the student was flagged, and explain why it is important to do well in the course.

Students are encouraged to contact their instructor to discuss how the student can reach a successful outcome for the course.

Students are given a choice to select "raise my hand" to receive help if they don't know what to do or where to go for help.

STEP 3: Student decides what (if any) action to take.

If a student responds to the email, the response will return to the instructor who flagged the student.

If a student selects "raise my hand" for help, they will be connected to a short form to request help.

STEP 4: Instructor or Success Coach responds to student to offer help.

Instructors should respond accordingly to any student who responds to an alert through email, helping the student understand what they need to do to be successful in the course. Refer to the links on this page to helpful campus resources, or visit the resources website for information.

A member of the Success Coach team will reach out to the students who selected "raise my hand" to better understand the student concern(s) and support them through coaching or connection to campus resources.

STEP 5: UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY: Navigate360 campaign launched from college academic advisors.

At two points in the semester, the academic advising teams in the colleges will complete a campaign in Navigate360 to offer support.

Around week 4, the advisors will send a message campaign with information on help available and encouragement to reach out to the advisor for help if needed.

Shortly before the deadline to withdraw from classes, the advisors will launch an appointment campaign to encourage students to schedule an appointment to talk through options.

STEP 6: Instructor updates flags for students who show improvement in the course.

Instructors are reminded and encouraged to remove flags for students who show improvement.

Process for students receiving flags in MULTIPLE courses:
STEP 1: Instructor flags student(s) in SEAS.

Instructors will login to the portal, find the SEAS channel/box and select the Student Early Alert System (SEAS) link. From there, they will select the course for which they are entering flags.

Instructors can flag individual students on any of four dimensions: attendance, participation, assignments, exams/quizzes.

STEP 2: System sends automated email FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

The email will include the name of the course and the name of the instructor in the subject line.

The email is a supportive message that will indicate on which of the four dimensions the student was flagged, and explain why it is important to do well in the course.

Students are encouraged to contact their instructor to discuss how the student can reach a successful outcome for the course.

Students are given a choice to select "raise my hand" to receive help if they don't know what to do or where to go for help.

STEP 3: UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY: Once a student receives a flag in multiple courses (two or more) the system will alert the student's Success Coach.

Success Coaches will proactively reach out to the student and request the student schedule a meeting and offer help. This workflow is automated through alerts and cases in Navigate360.

STEP 4: Student decides what (if any) action to take.

If a student responds to the email from the instructor, the response will return to the instructor who flagged the student.

If a student selects "raise my hand" for help, they will be connected to a short form to request help.

If a student responds to the Success Coach, they will schedule an appointment to meet with the coach. 

STEP 5: Instructor or Success Coach responds to student to offer help.

Instructors should respond accordingly to any student who responds to an alert through email, helping the student understand what they need to do to be successful in the course. Refer to the links on this page to helpful campus resources, or visit the resources website for information.

Success Coaches will reach out to the students who selected "raise my hand" to better understand the student concern(s) and support them through coaching or connection to campus resources.

Success Coaches will meet with the students who respond to their outreach. If, during the interaction with the student, the Success Coach uncovers the student needs to speak with an academic advisor or financial aid advisor, the coach will notify the appropriate department that will then proactively reach out to the student to offer additional help.

STEP 6: Instructor updates flags for students who show improvement in the course.

Instructors are reminded and encouraged to remove flags for students who show improvement in the course.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I find my classes and students? My SEAS channel/box is empty.
If you are an instructor of record and your SEAS channel is empty, log out of the portal, clear your cookies and log back in.

What if I forget to flag my students?
Instructors will be nudged through email during weeks 1, 3, 5, 8, 11 and 14 to place, adjust and/or remove flags.

What is the difference between a moderate flag and a high flag?
There is no standard rubric for entering flags. Instructors should enter flags based on the academic expectations of the course.

Is there a message I can use to explain SEAS to my students?
SEAS (the Student Early Alert System) is a tool used by faculty to identify students who, if they continue with their current academic behavior, are in danger of not doing well in their course. Faculty may go into the system at any time during the semester to flag your academic behavior for attendance, participation, assignments, quizzes and exams. The instructor will then send you an email encouraging you to seek assistance from them or other university resources. When you get the email you are not in trouble. It is a nudge for you to look at your current habits and see how you can improve. This message will also include a link to "raise your hand" virtually for assistance from the Student Success team if you need it.


Need help?

For questions about SEAS, please contact Kim Sandlin, Director of Student Success, at kim.sandlin@wichita.edu or 316-978-3209.