The Absent/Disappeared From Class Student

You may notice a student that has been missing/absent from class and has not made contact with you or a student who is missing significant work or assignments.

What You Can Do:

• Initiate contact with the student: Get in touch with Academic Support or his/her advisor.
• Share observations / facts: “I noticed you missed X# of classes” or “I haven’t seen or heard from you in 3 weeks.”
• Share concern: “Sorry you are having difficulties.”
• Offer to talk: “Would you like to talk.”
• Be clear and direct about your expectations and the consequences for not meeting expectations
• Be open/listen to the students’ perspective about why they missed class or assignments.
• Ask how the student believes he/she can better meet expectations for attendance or work.
• Find out how he/she is doing in other classes.

Avoid:

• Disregard/invalidate the students feelings.
• Minimize concerns.
• Feel pulled to change expectations and make accommodations immediately. It’s ok to say “I’ll consider an alternative.”
• Lecture/scold: “You know you really should come to class.”
• Use scare tactics, threats/bribes: “If you don’t come to class you might fail” or “I might fail you” said in a threatening way.

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Guide Table of Content

• Typical Concerns for UR Students
• What You Should Know About Student Problems
• Symptoms of Distressed or Distressing Students
• Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students
• Making a Referral to the UR Counseling Center
• Responding to Student Emergencies
• The UR Counseling Center
• Information About Confidentiality
• Mandated Risk Assessment
• Other Campus Referral Sources
• Academic Faculty: Classroom Climate and Prevention
• Responding After a Tragedy: An In-The-Classroom Guide

Addendum

• The Grieving Student
• The Anxious/Shy Student
• The Student Who May Have an Eating Disorder
• The Demanding Student
• The Dependent/Passive Student
• The Depressed Student
• The Student in Poor Contact with Reality
• The Student Suspected of Substance Abuse or Addiction
• The Victim of Stalking
• The Victim of an Abusive Dating Relationship
• The Victim of a Hate Incident
• The Victim of Hazing
• The Student Who Has Been Sexually Harassed (Assaulted)
• The Suicidal Student
• The Suspicious Student
• The Verbally Aggressive Student
• The Violent Student
• The Absent/Disappeared From Class Student
• Responding to Students with Transition Issues
• Responding to the Student with Choice of Major or Career Concerns