Often, faculty members will encounter students whose behavior may suggest that they are experiencing difficulty in their academic and/or personal lives. In an attempt to aid in the faculty's ability to help these students, a sample of common student problems and some suggested courses of action have been listed below.
A student has done poorly on the first exam or quiz.
The instructor may meet with this student, take a look at their notes, ask them about reading the text and inquire about their study methods. The instructor may also suggest study groups, note reviews, tutors and referrals to the Learning Assistance Service, Writing Center or to Disability Student Services.
Despite doing all the "right things," a student is still performing poorly.
Suggest that the student contact the Learning Assistance Service or the Disability Student Services.
An otherwise consistent student exhibits erratic academic performance or difficulty concentrating.
A discreet inquiry by the faculty member with the student may lead to a referral to the Counseling Center or the Health Center.
A student requests accommodations for test taking, such as extra time, an oral test or testing in isolation.
Request that the student bring his/her documented material from Disability Support Services (DSS) so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. If the student does not have materials from DSS, refer the student to DSS, which is located in Shoemaker Hall (4-7682). Students must have documentation from DSS before any accommodation can be made. A faculty member is obligated to accommodate a student's documented physical and/or learning disabilities.
A student expresses concern about his/her academic standing and overall progress toward a degree.
Refer the student to their department advisor or to the college advising center.
A student confides an incident of harassment or discrimination.
Refer the student to the Office of Student Conduct or the Office of Human Relations at 5-2838. If there is any question of safety, refer the student to the University Police Department. In addition, the faculty member needs to inform the student that she/he is required to report this complaint to the Office of Human Relations or the Office of Legal Affairs.
A student confides that he or she is a victim of crime or stalking.
Refer the student to the Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA). The Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA) is an office whose mission is to respond to incidents of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and sexual harassment. The OVA provides resources, support and assistance to men and women, primary and secondary victims in the aftermath of violence. In an emergency, the OVA provides 24-hour crisis response, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, you should page the OVA at 301-207-0108. You may speak to an advocate or make an appointment by calling 4-2222. Alternatively, you may refer the student to The Roper Foundation, a victim's rights non-profit organization located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This foundation provides assistance for the victims of crime, including "stalking." The Roper Foundation can be contacted at 301-952-0063.
A student seems to be emotionally or mentally troubled. Call any one of the following: Counseling Center, University Health Center or Disability Student Services. Strategies may be discussed with professionals from any of these offices.
A student is so hostile that the instructor's or other students' safety is threatened.
Call the University Police for an immediate crisis situation. Many university members, during the course of their work on campus, find themselves confronted with a situation in which they feel uncertain or even threatened. If you feel unsure of how to deal with an individual's behavior, whether in a class, an advising session, or at a campus event, the Behavior Evaluation and Threat Assessment Resource Group (BETA) may be able to assist you. Call John Zacker, Director of Student Conduct, at 4-8204 to discuss options for dealing with the disruptive student(s). Alternatively, call Katherine Pedro Beardsley, assistant dean for Behavioral and Social Sciences, at 5-1692 for additional resources.
A student has committed academic dishonesty.
Send a letter outlining the act of academic dishonesty to the Student Honor Council, 2118 Mitchell Building (4-8204). If you want to discuss this situation before you do anything, please contact your director of undergraduate programs or Katherine Pedro Beardsley, Assistant Dean (5-1692).
A student has misused campus computing resources (e.g., sending harassing email).
Contact NEThics in the Office of Information Technology at 5-8787 or contact Andrea Goodwin, associate director, in the Office of Student Conduct at 4-8204.
A student needs legal advice (e.g., arrest, DWI, lease, problems, divorce/separation, academic honesty and so forth).
Refer an undergraduate student to the Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office (4-7756), and a graduate student to the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office, (5-5807). Both offices are located in 1235 Stamp Student Union.
A student has "roommate problems" or other issues related to the residence hall.
Contact the student's RA (resident assistant), RD (resident director) or CD (community director). Call the Department of Resident Life for more information at 4-7343.
A student is dissatisfied with a course grade.
Use the "Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading" in the Undergraduate Catalog.
A student has encountered problems with his/her residency classification (i.e., in-state vs. out-of-state). Direct the student to contact the Residency Classification Office at 4-9596.
An international student is encountering problems with his/her visa or immigration status.
Direct the student to the International Educational Services Office 4-7740 for assistance.
One final note: If an instructor is uncertain as to where to send the student or has any questions about the personal well being of a student, he/she is encouraged to call any of the following:
Other Contacts:
Dr. Katherine Pedro Beardsley
Assistant Dean, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
kbeardsley@bsos.umd.edu
5-1692
Dr. James Newton
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Studies
jnewton@umd.edu
Counseling Center
4-7651
University Health Center
Mental Health Services
4-8106
Disability Support Services (DSS)
Voice/TTY 4-7682
The professionals in these offices will be happy to discuss appropriate strategies in support of maintaining student health. Confidentiality is respected.
