Early Alert
AFFILIATED AREAS
Counseling and Advisement Center
Early Alert Referral System
Remote Learning Tips for Success
Early Alert is an email-based referral system that helps students stay on track when academic challenges come up during the semester. It not only provides early warnings but also follows up with students, giving instructors a clear way to share feedback on the steps their students are taking.
Instead of using multiple "academic progress reports," Early Alert brings everything together in one simple roster. This creates a consistent, organized referral process for students who may need extra support.
The system is designed to be efficient and easy to use for faculty and staff, while keeping communication clear, supportive and non-threatening for students.
WERE YOU IDENTIFIED FOR EARLY ALERT?
If you were identified for Early Alert, your instructor has noticed that you may be having some difficulties in class. This could be related to attendance, test scores, writing, English skills or another challenge.
The Early Alert program is designed to let you know about these concerns early in the semester, so you have time to get the support you need. Help is available through tutoring, study groups, workshops, counseling, library resources or even a one-on-one meeting with your instructor.
The goal of Early Alert is simple: to connect you with resources and support so you can succeed.
COMMONLY ASKED EARLY ALERT QUESTIONS
All Citrus College instructors have access to the online Early Alert Referral System, which allows them to quickly generate a letter for students who may be experiencing academic challenges. Once identified, the letter is immediately sent to the student's Citrus College email.
Participation in Early Alert is voluntary, but most instructors choose to take part — and their efforts make a big difference. In primary semesters, up to around 1,000 students are identified by both full-time and part-time faculty, with many students receiving tutoring, counseling, workshops or other support as a result.
This shows that instructors are working together to support student success and improve retention, helping students stay on track and reach their goals.
If you receive a letter from Early Alert, your first step is to talk with your instructor. Open communication is important for your success in the class, and your instructor can help you understand where you stand. This is a great chance to ask questions like whether you can make up missed assignments, if tutoring might be helpful or if the course level feels too difficult or too easy. Together, you and your instructor can talk through possible solutions and create a plan to help you move forward. It's also a wonderful opportunity to get to know your instructor better and build a stronger connection.
After meeting with your instructor, you may also want to talk with a counselor. Counselors can guide you toward resources such as tutoring, study groups or workshops designed to support your success. They can also help you develop a Student Education Plan (SEP) so you know exactly which classes you need to reach your goals.
In addition, the Counseling and Advisement Center can connect you with helpful services like the Student Wellness Center, disabled student programs and services (DSPS), extended opportunity programs and services (EOPS), financial aid or the Career/Transfer Center. They can assist with important decisions, such as whether to add or drop a class or any other academic choices that may affect your progress.
To make an appointment with a counselor, call (626) 914-8530.
Getting an Early Alert letter doesn't automatically mean you are failing. It simply means your instructor has noticed an area where you may need some extra support. The best next step is to talk with your instructor about the concern noted in your letter. They can give you a clearer picture of how you are doing in class and guide you on what you can do to improve.
If you need extra help in your class, Citrus College has plenty of tutoring and support options available to you.
For math, tutors are available in the STEM Center, located in the Mathematics Building, first floor, MA 129. You can drop in for assistance, work with peer tutors or join a study group. For more information, call (626) 914-8723.
Tutorial services for most other subjects are offered in the Learning Center, located in ED 113. Taking advantage of tutoring early in the semester — and staying consistent — can make a big difference in your success. For details, call (626) 914-8570.
If you need help with English or writing assignments, the Writing Center is also located in ED 113 and can provide one-on-one guidance. Call (626) 914-8570 for more information.
Early Alert also offers a variety of study skills workshops every semester. These one-hour workshops cover useful topics like time management, note-taking, exam preparation, memory techniques, stress management, goal setting, motivation and more. They are available on Zoom or in-person, on campus in SS 281. All Citrus College students are welcome to attend.
If you are an instructor, and you'd like to schedule a workshop for your class, contact David Rodriguez, counselor, at (626) 852-6461 or email at drodriguez@citruscollege.edu.
Visit the Counseling and Advisement Center Appointment Scheduling System to schedule an appointment with a counselor.
Appointments can also be made by calling the Counseling and Advisement Center at (626) 914-8530.
To drop a class, you will need to log into your student account.
There you will move through the program until you get to add/drop classes. Make sure you check your personal schedule to see that the class was dropped correctly.
You can personally drop classes until the drop date and then you will receive a grade. The course drop deadline dates for each semester/session is listed online.
Do not assume the instructor will drop you from their class. You are responsible for dropping your own classes.
Early Alert is a partnership between faculty and counselors that provides extra support to students referred through the Banner system.
When a student is identified, we encourage them to respond directly to the faculty member who made the referral. This helps create a full circle of communication, ensuring that once an intervention is started, everyone stays connected and working together toward the student's success.
Early Alert reporting can be submitted at any point during a session or semester. Once a faculty member completes an Early Alert referral, the student receives an email from David Rodriguez, Early Alert counselor/coordinator. This email includes the class, the instructor, the area of concern and suggestions for next steps — such as talking with the instructor and connecting with counseling support.
Timeline and Intervention
Every day, TeCS compiles a list of students who have been referred and sends it to
David Rodriguez, Early Alert counselor/coordinator. From there, counseling faculty
reach out to students within one to three days to offer additional support.
If other resources are selected during the referral process, the coordinator or directot of the appropriate student services department also receives a list of students (with limited information) so they can follow up as needed.
Some of the follow-up topics discussed during interventions are:
- encourage the student to communicate with their instructor by attending office hours or by emailing them
- make an appointment to complete a Student Education Plan (SEP)
- personal and/or academic concerns affecting class success
- recommend beneficial online and physical resources
- recommend Early Alert workshops (group or self-paced via Comevo)
- review how to sign up for online tutoring (general tutoring and STEM)
Every student is different and as a result their circumstances are varied. Our counseling approach will be different for each student's situation. The goal is to help students make better decisions regarding their educational endeavors.
Please be aware that our conversations with students are confidential and we cannot share private information with instructors as stated by law, as noted on this website's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Statement page.