Already it starts
I freely admit that I'm not the world's most sensitive person. When people tell me bad news, or when students come to me with some sob story, I often don't really know how to handle it. I could use some training.
I have a grad student who didn't finish his project for my fall class. When that happens, the student has until the end of the summer to finish the project and get the grade in. Two of my students got in just under the wire, but another still has a project outstanding. I had sent all of them a message about this situation in May, and two weeks ago, I sent another message to the hold-out student reminding him that he still had an incomplete.
Today, one week before classes start, I got a terse 3-line message from him saying that he was sorry, he hadn't been doing any work all summer because he had been very depressed, but that he was going to start working on it over the weekend. I suppose that a monstrously dedicated student would be able to finish this paper in 3-4 days, but I just don't think this guy can (under the circumstances or otherwise). Furthermore, even if he hands it in on Tuesday or Wednesday, I need at least a day to grade it, and then we have to give the registrar time to put it in the system. Friday is the last (business) day before classes. To further exacerbate the situation, he's an international student, and they're even more at risk for being kicked out than a domestic student would be (at a university level, not a dept one).
What do I say in this situation? I just drafted him an email to say that I was very sorry to hear that he'd had such a difficult summer, and that I'd hoped he'd been able to get some help. Then I warned him about the timeline, and told him that if he can't get the paper in by Tuesday, then I really think he should alert a dean to the fact that he might need a special dispensation. (When this happens, a dean needs to give permission for the late grade.)
How much concern am I supposed to show? This isn't really my student in the sense that he doesn't do research with me, and probably, my paper is the least of his problems. I don't feel comfortable offering substantial help, because I don't know him well and truthfully, I don't particularly like him. But I also don't know if he's told other faculty members, and I do NOT want to get involved in that. So, what more can/should I do?
posted by Ianqui at 8:08 AM
9 Comments:
I think that your plan is more than adequate.
Here's another solution:
Treat him like an undergraduate.
Graduate students have, presumably, graduated from undergraduate; therefore, they should know better than anyone else what is expected of a student in an academic program. They therefore should be held to an even higher standard of performance--and they are, at least in terms of what they produce. Why not expect the same diligence in terms of adhering to deadlines?
If it isn't done on time, hold him to his already articulated promise. You could respond to him basically stating that you will expect his work no later than (date). Don't accept it after that date, whether he is an international student or not (sounds mean, I know, but he knows what he needs to do to stay in the program and in the country; if he doesn't do it, he doesn't do it). If he starts making noise about his depression, etc., tell him to get his dispensation from the dean and consider the matter closed.
(Did he make the deadline, by the way?)
It really sounds like it's out of your hands, actually. I mean, if he can get it done in this really short period of time, then great. But if not, you're not in a position to give him an extension anyway, right?
My guess is that he'll do the project and get it to you by when you've asked, but it won't be a very good paper...
I'd do pretty much what you're doing with one tiny change. I'd also include in the email the contact information for people who could help (at least theoretically). Something along the lines of "... special dispensation from Dean Greene (212.555.1212). ... The staff at our Counseling Center (212.555.1213) may also have other suggestiions."
Some counseling centers have, on their webpage or some other source, a guide for how to deal with such things.
If you've not already sent the email, I would suggest offering empathy (I'm sorry this has been such a rough time for you), offer resources such as rudbeckia suggested ("Some students have found our counseling center very helpful in coping with difficult feelings, and they can be reached at ...).
You could say something like, "I want to be supportive of you during this difficult time, but the tricky thing is that we are under University deadlines here, so I simply have no flexibility here." And then indicate that they have two options at this point: get it done by X date or they can contact the dean and get a special dispensation.
Just showing a little validation (empathy) and a little bit of challenging (sucks, but ya gotta get it done) can help the student a lot. I doubt he is expecting much in terms of addressing his depression, so even giving a little empathy will likely help him feel heard.
Is the deadline yours or the university's rule?
The advice that the others have given is excellent. However, I got the impression from your post that the drop dead date was set by you and that you can't use the line "It's not in my hands."
The last day, according to the university, is this coming Friday. After that, it really will be beyond my control, which is why I told him that he should aim for Tuesday so I have time to grade it and get it in.
I had already written the message, and it looked a lot like what Becky and shrinkykitten suggested. I told him where he could get the name of the appropriate dean, and said the counseling service may have further suggestions.
I sent the message yesterday morning, and haven't heard a word from him. I don't have a good feeling about this.
the referral to the counseling center is a nice touch. I can imagine him feeling a little stung by it, like you think there's something wrong with him, but then again, if he didn't finish his project and then didn't work all summer because of depression, there is something wrong. Hopefully he'll see that and go talk to someone.
Being a grad student sucks. They ought to walk us over to the counseling center during orientation. And the gym.
Anyway, I think it sounds like you did more than enough.
Depending on where the student is from, it might have been very difficult for him to have even admitted he was in trouble. I can't remember where I read it (the CHE? Or maybe a listserve?) but it just isn't intuitive for students from some cultures to ask for help. I think you're handling it well, but would also get hold of the student's advisor and the DGS, to see if there is some kind of emergency step that can be taken.
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