When听测辞耻鈥檙别听experiencing a difficult life situation (illness, family emergency,听well-being concerns, financial听issues, or anything affecting your听safety,听ability to attend class or complete work),听颈迟鈥檚听important to keep your professors informed. Faculty want you to succeed, and clear communication helps you stay on track.听
Questions to Consider Before Contacting Faculty听
Thinking about these questions can help you communicate clearly and appropriately:听
- How has the situation听impacted听your academics (e.g., attendance, missed deadlines, focus, participation)?听
- What type of flexibility am I asking for?听
- A short extension听
- Making up a missed quiz听
- Catching up on notes or materials听
- Temporary understanding during a difficult period听
- Attendance flexibility听
- What am I comfortable sharing?听听
- You do not need to share personal or private details. Focus on the impact, not the cause.听
- Have I reviewed the syllabus?听
- This helps you make requests that respect the course鈥檚 structure and requirements.听
- Am I using flexibility responsibly?听听
- Flexibility is听here to empower you during life鈥檚 unexpected challenges.听By using it mindfully for genuine hardships, you ensure you stay on track with your goals, attend class consistently, and give your assignments the focus they deserve.听听
Understanding Limits and Responsibilities听
Not every class has the same level of flexibility. Factors like accreditation requirements, lab components, group work, or participation-driven learning can limit what a professor can adjust.听Being proactive in communicating with your professors is key. Any delays in communication can limit the level of flexibility that can be provided.听听
Students should keep in mind:听
- Flexibility is not guaranteed听
- Faculty will consider requests within the structure of the course听
- Academic standards still apply听
- Extensions or excused absences听诲辞苍鈥檛听replace required learning听
- Repeated or long-term flexibility may not be possible听
- In those situations, Academic Advising can help you explore broader academic options (e.g., withdrawal, incomplete request, support planning, credit/no credit听option听when applicable and acceptable).听For students with documented disabilities, requesting听accommodations听through Accessibility Services may be the most听appropriate route.听
- Faculty may ask for听evidence of an extenuating event听if that event is prompting the request for flexibility听
- If you are unsure about what evidence to provide, you can consult with听SOS, the听Dean of Students, an Academic Advisor, or a trusted mentor at the University.听In the case of personal medical documentation, please contact the听Student Health Center听for verifying听the documentation as听faculty听should refrain听from听requesting, accepting, or reviewing any personal medical documentation.听
Resources
Depending on the听circumstance,听SOS听and the听Academic听Success听Center听may not be able to听communicate with faculty on your听behalf; however,听we help you develop the skills, confidence, and language needed to self-advocate effectively.听
We can:听
- Help you draft messages to your faculty听
- Talk through what to say and what not to say听
- Coach you on managing communication during stressful situations听
- Help you understand what types of flexibility are realistic in听different types听of courses听
Self-advocacy is a lifelong skill, and communicating with your faculty is an important part of听the college听experience.听