Timeline for My student told me his mother has cancer, what do I do?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
8 events
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| Aug 26, 2014 at 8:33 | comment | added | yo' | +1 for the word "flexibility". It is the right way to go: Don't request less from the student, just allow them for instance a different exam schedule, or offer to consult stuff personally if he misses some lectures because of such a serious problem. | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 14:57 | comment | added | Raphael | If your university has some form of counseling service for students, you might want to kindly point it out to the student. In my experience, many don't know about these service and if they do, don't really consider going there (who needs help of shrinks, right?). They can not only offer some free listening and adivce on how to deal with such circumstance, but they also have a good overview about all the things that can be done w.r.t. regulations to assist students in trouble. | |
| Aug 23, 2014 at 17:48 | comment | added | E.P. | ... and if the instructor does address the student along those lines, phrases like "I'm sure your mother wants you to do well" are more appropriate than "would want you to". | |
| Aug 23, 2014 at 16:14 | comment | added | Bob Brown | I think you are correct. So, the OP should investigate what counseling services the university might provide and have that information at hand. (For some reason the comment system isn't letting me prefix with @Moriarty.) | |
| Aug 23, 2014 at 16:13 | vote | accept | M R R | ||
| Aug 23, 2014 at 16:10 | comment | added | Moriarty | @BobBrown I agree that (unless it's a highly aggressive or late-stage cancer) the student probably shouldn't withdraw from all study. However, the instructor should suggest he talks to friends, family, and perhaps a counsellor for advice about that. Although well-meaning, saying "I'm sure your mother would want you to do well" subtly suggests he should keep concentrating on his study. It's not the instructor's place to advise that. | |
| Aug 23, 2014 at 15:51 | comment | added | Bob Brown | I was in the process of composing a similar answer. The only thing I have to add is that you might tell him you are sure his mother would want him to do well. Do check on compassionate withdrawal policies, but my own experience is that work will be better for the student unless he has obligations to provide care for his mother. | |
| Aug 23, 2014 at 15:47 | history | answered | Moriarty | CC BY-SA 3.0 |