At Valpo, we take pride in helping students achieve their goals. To that end, Valpo uses the online platform Starfish. Starfish houses tools that connect your success network (faculty, advisors, and Valpo services) so we can work together as a team to best support you!
Three simple steps to get started as a student in Starfish:
- Set Up Your Profile
- Complete Student Intake Form
- This is especially important if you are considering medical school, law school, etc. This is how we will connect you with the appropriate faculty to support you!
- Check Communication
Want to learn more?
- Do your instructors and/or advisor use Starfish to schedule appointments? Find out How To: Schedule an Appointment in Starfish.
- Check out a few FAQs.
Set Up Your Profile
Begin by setting up your student profile. Your profile lets instructors and advisors know who you are and how to contact you. It also gives you control over how you wish to receive emails.
1. Open the navigation menu and click your name, and then Edit Profile to open your profile. From here, you can customize your profile by uploading a photo, and adding a secondary email address for receiving Starfish emails.
2. Select the Notifications tab to update your notification preferences.
3. Once you have made your desired changes to your profile, click Save Changes.
Complete Student Intake Form
The Student Intake form in Starfish is a series of questions designed to help your Valpo advisors and support network get to know you, your interests, and your needs. The information you share on the form will help your advisors connect you with resources and support networks to help you succeed. How To: Complete the Starfish Intake Form.
It should only take a few minutes of your time.
There are no required questions, but the more you feel comfortable sharing, the better we will be able to help you.
This form is where you will indicate professional school plans after Valpo (medical school, law school, etc.). It is important to select an option if applicable to you! This will help your advisor as you create a plan of study and better support you.
Check Communication
Regularly check your email for communication from those in your Success Network.
Important information is also sent from faculty/staff through Starfish to your email. Many items can also be found within your Dashboard in Starfish.
Dashboard
Your Dashboard also displays upcoming appointments as well as date-based tasks on the left to help you plan your week. The right-hand column of your Dashboard highlights items that require your attention and may include alerts or flags related to your class work, recommended referrals to campus support offices to help you succeed, and kudos from your instructors.
Not Sure What You Need?
Request Help
Select Request Help from the navigation menu to see information about where to go for assistance.
From here, you can select Help Me to submit a request for help. You will be asked to provide additional information such as the type of help you are requesting, the related course (if applicable), and details.
We encourage you to be as detailed as possible to insure you get the appropriate help needed. Click Submit to submit your request when done.
A Few Student FAQs:
- What is a flag? What happens when a flag is raised?
A flag is a Starfish notification designed to raise an alert that a student is not meeting expectations in some way. Flags can be raised by various people for many reasons, including class attendance, poor academic performance, general concerns, financial concerns, health concerns, and many more.
When an instructor shares a concern about a student in Starfish by raising a flag, the system alerts staff and faculty who can respond to that flag and provide the resources and support needed. Some flags also generate an immediate notification to the student outlining the concern and directing them toward campus resources.
Flagging a student in Starfish creates a transparent communication trail that allows all individuals working with the student to see a clear picture of the student’s performance.
- What is a kudo? What happens when a kudo is raised?
- A kudo is another type of Starfish notification that is designed to send positive feedback to students. faculty, and staff. Administrators are able to send kudos to students for various reasons. Students are sent an immediate notification outlining the kudo and reason for it.