How to Support Students Experiencing Difficult Life Circumstances

Core Principles
  • Acknowledge and validate听
    • A simple 鈥淭hank you for letting me know鈥� can reduce student anxiety听
  • Be as clear as possible听
    • Provide the student with a timeline for a decision if you are unable to decide on flexibility right away.
  • Maintain clear academic boundaries听
    • Support does not mean lowering academic standards, but exploring reasonable options听
  • Refer for support听
  • Be consistent and policy-aware听
    • Flexibility should align with syllabus policies, accreditation requirements, and equity听
  • Document communication听听
    • Helps ensure clarity and continuity if the situation is complex or ongoing. Documenting includes verbal and written communication. We recommend a听follow up听email to the student by the instructor that briefly summarizes the key points or agreements of听the conversation.听
  • Do not ask for or review medical听documentation
    • To respect student privacy and adhere to confidentiality guidelines, please refrain from听requesting, accepting, or reviewing any personal medical documentation. If a student听required听verification, please direct the student to the Student Health Center.听听

 

Questions Faculty Can Consider When a Student Reaches Out听
  • What does my course policy say about absences or late work?听Is there听built-in flexibility?听
  • Is the student asking for something that would significantly change learning outcomes?听If so, consult with department leadership. In this instance, flexibility may not be possible.听听
  • Does the student appear overwhelmed or in need of broader support?听
    • Indicators can include repeated absences,听crisis听language, long-term requests for support. In these听instances,听please complete an (well-being concerns) or an (academic concerns).听
  • When should I refer a student to Accessibility Services for听accommodations?听
    • Accessibility Services supports students with documented disabilities or students seeking evaluation related to cognitive functioning, learning differences, personality, or emotional well鈥慴eing. If a student requests ongoing flexibility due to a medical, physical, learning, or psychological condition, please refer them to Accessibility Services to听determine听whether formal accommodations are听appropriate. The office also manages academic modifications for pregnant students.听Please note that Accessibility Services cannot provide accommodations for situations that are not considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes grief or loss, caregiving responsibilities, and needs related to language听proficiency. While these situations may听warrant听empathy and听flexibility听when possible, they are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and therefore fall outside the scope of Accessibility Services.听