[VPAAEtal] Appropriate Response to Students Concerning Recent Event

[Academic Affairs]

Faculty,

Almost one in ten of our undergrads attended the event in Greenville this past weekend.  Let that number sink in on you for a moment.

Thursday and Friday, as you meet your classes again, cast your eyes across you classroom, and remind yourselves of that.

Monday, I reminded everyone that "we teach by how we act," not just through lectures and assignments.  More than any other, this is the time to teach by how we act.  I urged everyone to be "sensitive and flexible in response" to the challenges our students face at this time.

Today, we offered that assurance to our students in advance of their return to class tomorrow.

Word has come to me that most faculty have received their students well, have listened, and have supported.  For this, I am grateful.  Such actions build up and strengthen our University.

Unfortunately, I am also learning some have failed to respond with sympathy and support.  For example, a student was told that he "knew about the assignment" due Friday "all semester long."  Some report absences to grieve or regain composure are not being honored.  Some online course expectations continue on the assumption that one needn't be present on campus to complete the work, despite the mandated two days off for our students.

These are individual examples, and hopefully, they are isolated ones.  These types of responses are inappropriate in the current context.  Grief and fear do not have an on-off switch.

When a student reaches out to you for help do the following:
1.)  Listen and lend aid.
2.)  Grant extra time when students seek help completing assignments.
3.)  Absences or missed work this week should be viewed as possible evidence of distress.  Reach out to the students missing the work.
4.)  If you worry students might "take advantage" of your caring, get over it.  Now is not the time.  Concern yourself with not adding hurt to those already hurting.

We are encouraging students to come to faculty for help.  Let that be a welcoming experience in a dark, cold week.

The University exists for the students, not for us.  Our reputation depends on them.  Our careers have meaning because them.  Academic life is a wonderful one, but their presence here makes that life possible for us.

John

Dr. John Humphreys
Provost and Vice President
Academic Affairs
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