Helping My Student
Family members may have questions and concerns about the behavior and well-being of their students while they are away from home and attending the University of Mississippi.
Here are some frequent concerns of parents and other family members and ways to address those concerns:
Homesickness
Many students experience homesickness when they first arrive at the university. The University Counseling Center (662-915-3784) offers free services for students and is a great resource for those experiencing homesickness, anxiety, depression, etc. A parent or family member may fill out a Student of Concern form, describing the situation, and a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students will follow up with the student.
Family Emergency
Students who need to go home due to emergencies such as a sudden illness or death in the family usually will miss course work. Students should contact their instructors to make up missed assignments, but if they are not able to reach their instructors, they may call the Office of the Dean of Students and request that a staff member send an Absence from Class notification to the instructors.
Hospitalization
If a student is extremely sick and has been hospitalized, then a parent or family member may contact instructors to discuss the student’s course standing. The next option would be to (Can highlighted copy be verified or deleted? Not sure instructors want to be contacted by parents) fill out a Student of Concern form. A staff member from the Office of the Dean of Students will contact the student’s instructors and will be able to answer any further questions.
Faculty Member of Concern
(This one might be problematic, i.e., what if a parent calls 911 and there’s really nothing wrong with the instructor? That could harm the instructor’s reputation. Should the parent/family member just fill out a Person of Concern form?)
If your student says an instructor is acting strange in class and believes there is an immediate concern for the safety of the instructor or others, call UPD at 662-915-4911 or dial 911. If safety is not an immediate concern, fill out a Person of Concern form (NEED PERSON OF CONCERN FORM), and describe the instructor’s behavior.
Academic Issues
If your student is failing one or more classes, it is best for the student to talk to his/her instructor(s). Encourage the student to communicate with the instructor(s) about options. In many cases, the instructor(s) may have tutoring suggestions or additional assignments the student could complete. If you would like a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students to follow up with your student, fill out a Student of Concern form and describe the situation.
Change in Behavior
If your student has been sounding or suddenly sounds depressed or angry during conversations with you, let him or her know about the University Counseling Center. It is a free resource available for students. Or fill out a Student of Concern form to have a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students follow up with the student.