WHAT TO DO IF A
STUDENT STOPS ATTENDING CLASS
Each semester it seems that a few students stop coming to
class. Sometimes these are students who
have been disengaged and doing poorly from the start. Other times these are students who have been
actively engaged in class and doing well.
In some cases, the student may actually have talked with the faculty
member about personal issues that are causing distress. In all of these cases, the student is at risk
for failure and/or for dropping out of school.
Faculty interaction with students is one of the most
important ingredients in student retention, and Academic Affairs and Student
Affairs encourages you to take active steps when you notice that a student is
no longer attending class. In almost all
cases, students appreciate the fact that the faculty member or academic staff
member cares enough about them to get involved.
What specifically can you as a faculty member do to intervene?
Listed below are some of the ways you can intervene with
students about whom you are concerned.
v
Try to contact the student directly through
email or telephone Let the student know that
you noticed their absence and that you are concerned. Ask the student if there is a problem with
which you or someone else can help.
v
Contact the student’s adviser. The adviser may have a closer relationship
with the student and may be able to contact the student in one of the ways
mentioned above. The adviser’s name can
be obtained from the Registration and Records office (x4301).
v
Contact the student’s Residence Hall Director if
they are a freshman or sophomore and living on campus. The Residence Hall Director can visit the
student’s room and may also find your information helpful in the context of
other concerns that may have arisen.
Names and phone numbers of students and the Residence Hall Directors are
listed in the UW-Stevens Point Campus Directory.
v
Contact the Dean of Students Office (x2611) if
the student is living off campus. Our
office may find your information helpful in the context of other concerns or
report that may have arisen and be known to our office.