Ontario Tech University to Launch Early Alert System for Student Support in 2025

Ontario Tech University will launch an Early Alert System (EAS) for all students in September 2025. The university states that the EAS will use indicators such as low grades or missed assignments to notify academic advisors about students who may need academic or mental health support.

The new system is intended to provide academic advisors with timely information so they can initiate check-ins with students who have been flagged by these indicators. According to Ontario Tech University, advisors may meet with students either online or in person to discuss challenges and, where appropriate, refer them to services like Student Mental Health Services or the Mental Health Peer Mentor Program.

A pilot of the EAS took place during the Spring and Summer semesters in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and the Faculty of Science. Dan Crouse, Director of Academic Advising and project lead, reported that the system facilitated successful interventions, including connecting students who had not previously sought out advising with necessary support. Crouse said, "One student, for example, was unsure of how they could get back on track with their studies, but they had never visited their academic advisor. We were able to make the connection and assist them with their challenges in a more proactive way." Crouse also said that the response from advisors and students during the pilot was positive, but the university did not provide specific data or statistics on the pilot’s outcomes.

Ontario Tech University stated that development and piloting of the EAS was supported by a $150,000 donation from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.