DISTRESSED STUDENTS: REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

Question 1:

Three weeks into the semester a student who had been regularly attending begins missing class, his performance on assignments drops, and he appears listless in class. In journal entries he makes references to a significant life event (e.g., death, illness, divorce, etc).

What is your response?

What actions should you take to address this student's behavior?
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  • Speak to the student privately:
    Instructor: "Sarah, I am concerned about the sudden changes I've noticed in your attendance and your grades. I remember that you mentioned in your journal that you went through a major change in your life. You don't seem to be as lively as you used to be. Are you feeling down?
  • Remind the student of resources available on campus that might be of assistance. In this case, you’d particularly want to reference:
    • Counseling Services, located in the Keathly University Center (KUC), room 326, 615-898-2670. Services are free. Students may walk- in and make an appointment or may call ahead for an appointment. Alternatively, the faculty member may decide it would be best to walk the student directly to the Counseling Services office to insure that the student actually follows through.
    • MT One Stop located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services and Admissions Center, or the appropriate college advisor or faculty advisor. This student’s faculty member might mention that they have noticed the student seems to be struggling to keep up in class and that the same might be true in other courses as well. An academic advisor can help the student with a plan for managing coursework.

 

Question 2:

A student in your class expresses concern to her instructor that she has been receiving threatening e-mail messages. She informs you that at the end of the term, she knows that she will have to see the sender of the threatening messages in her hometown.

What is your response?

Is she best seen as fitting the distressed, disturbed, disruptive, or dangerous category? How would you manage the situation?
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  • The student is reporting that she is distressed over the e-mails. The instructor will want to speak privately with the student.

    Instructor: "Jenny, it sounds like you have good reason to be frightened and distressed. I am glad you are brave enough to tell me about it. It seems to me that you need more than my help to manage this situation--we need some professional help to keep you safe. I know you think that he will hurt you if you tell on him but I want you to think about the possibility that he might hurt you even if you don't tell on him. He could do this to other students as well. He needs to be stopped.”
  • Remind the student of resources available on campus that might be of assistance. In this case, you’d particularly want to reference:

    MTSU Police (615-898-2424)
    Office of Student Conduct (615-898-2750)
    Both campus departments can help the student decide on the appropriate next steps. MTSU Police can act quickly to protect the student while on campus. MTSU Police can help the student contact the hometown police department, as well.

    Counseling Services, located in the KUC, room 326 (615-898-2670). Services are free. Students may walk-in and make an appointment or may call ahead for an appointment. Alternatively, the faculty member may decide it would be best to walk the student directly to the Counseling Services office to insure that the student actually follows through.
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