Working with Students
Academic and Personal Student Issues
Graduate Students
Students who perform below the minimum standards at Brandeis International Business School or are at risk of falling below the minimum standards will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee. Program Advisors may reach out to you to check in on students who fall into these categories. Please be sure to respond to these inquiries, especially if a student appears to be having difficulty in your course.
Conversely, if a student's performance or behavior concerns you, please contact the student's Program Advisor.
Students who are struggling in your course may be struggling in others. The Program Advisors can connect with all of the student’s instructors to assess whether their difficulties are isolated to your course or a more severe issue. Program advisors are also able to refer the student to support resources when relevant.
Please contact the appropriate Program Advisors for any of the following issues:- Poor class attendance
- Missed assignments or exam
- Group participation limited or absent
- Class participation limited or absent
- Poor grades
- Concerns about student’s health or well-being
- Student in danger of failing to earn credit in the course
Undergraduate Students
For undergraduates, the Brandeis Office of Academic Services serves as the touchstone for dealing effectively with undergraduate students in distress.
If you are not sure how best to help your student, take a look at this comprehensive guide of issues and resources.
Brandeis Care Team
In order to promote the safety and health of all Brandeis students, the Care Team evaluates and addresses student behavior that is concerning, and coordinates the resources of the university to intervene and provide necessary supports.
Examples of Concerning Behavior
- Personal safety such as expressions of violence, talk of or observed self-harm, stalking/monitoring of others, significant substance abuse
- Personal/emotional distress such as hopelessness or helplessness, changes in concentration, mood, energy, social connections, appetite, sleep, and hygiene
- Academic distress such as significant decline in attendance at class/job/activity, unresponsiveness to peer outreach, sudden decline in academic performance
- Other risks to the well-being of an individual student or others in the Brandeis community
English Language Learning
The university offers English Language Programming (ELP) workshops for students whose native language is not English. If you recognize that a graduate student could benefit from support in this regard, please contact Anna Shur-Wilson (annashurwilson@brandeis.edu). Referrals are confidential.
For information about the English Language Programming resources for undergraduate students, please reach out to Sarah Wagner, ELP Program Administrator (swagner@brandeis.edu).
Here are a few suggestions for working with international students who might be struggling with their English skills (although these tips could help English speakers, as well):
- Record your lecture or allow students to record the class on their own.
- Post lecture materials and notes on LATTE.
- Send follow-up/summary emails after each class with next steps and any changes to the syllabus.
- Target specific and limited goals with each student and follow up regularly.
- Direct students to the teaching assistant for additional assistance with understanding materials or assignments.
FERPA
Brandeis University is also committed to complying with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). This is the Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
Faculty who are asked to write recommendations for students should request a transcript from the student directly. If it is a time sensitive manner, faculty may ask the student for permission to obtain access to an unofficial transcript. Faculty must then forward this written permission to the Program Advisor before a transcript can be released.
Learn more about FERPA training offered by the University
Sexual Harassment
Federal and state laws, as well as Brandeis policies, strictly prohibit any untoward action of a sexual nature and hold faculty and staff liable for their actions and those of their employees and guests. Brandeis also prohibits relationships among faculty, staff, and students. It is wise to review the official policies outlined by the Office of Employee Relations to avoid prosecution by either Brandeis University or the legal system.
University Ombuds
Members of the University Ombuds staff are available as a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal resource for all members of the Brandeis community including undergraduates and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Here are some of the situations where the Ombuds team can help faculty and staff:
- Listen and discuss concerns, issues and questions.
- Help visitors evaluate options to address individual(s) concerns.
- Answer questions or help identify others who can.
- Explain University policies and procedures.
- Facilitate communication between people (informal mediation, facilitation, coaching, etc.).
- Discuss ways to resolve problems informally.
- Explain formal and administrative options.
- Seek to help create "win-win" resolution of problems.
- Make appropriate referrals.
- Help in ways that ensure that visitors know they control the outcome and are free to pursue any action they feel is appropriate for their situation.
Learn more about the Ombuds team and see if their office is the right fit for your issue.