Helping Students Navigate Challenging Times
Students have shared that they find it valuable when faculty and staff check in and acknowledge when big events happen at MIT and in the world. When possible, they appreciate some time to discuss their feelings and reactions. We’ve compiled this page to help you facilitate these conversations with your students.
Key Points for the Managing Activism in the Academic Environment
Below are key points to address recent campus activism in a syllabus or first class discussion (developed by the Chair of the Faculty, Division of Student Life, and Teaching and Learning Lab):
- Campus has been tense with community members expressing deeply held and sometimes opposing perspectives.
- The classroom is an educational space. Help each other and avoid creating obstacles to each other’s learning. Protest should stay outside the classroom.
- Treat your peers as partners in creating the conditions in which you can all learn together.
- As you interact with me and your fellow classmates, prioritize respect and kindness.
- Have compassion for the challenges others face and even the mistakes they might make.
- As President Kornbluth has said many times, think not just about the intent of your words and actions, but also about their impact on those around you.
These additional Guidelines for Instructors on Disruptions of Academic Activity, prepared by the Division of Student Life in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor and the Chair of the Faculty, can be useful to instructors in thinking ahead. While they don’t cover all potential questions about situations and outcomes, or indeed all possible responses, they can be a helpful place to start.
Tips and Resources
- Community Toolkit to Navigate Challenging Times
- Quick Advice for Talking to a Class After a Tragedy or a Loss
- Tips for Leading Productive Community Conversations (Including sample meeting agendas)
- Sample Communication Templates
- Addressing Difficult Events in the Classroom from MIT Teaching and Learning Lab
- Video Resources:
- Helping Students Cope with Loss – David Randall, Senior Associate Dean and Chief of Staff for Student Life, shares concrete steps and resources faculty can use to help students after a tragedy or loss in the community.
- Supporting Students Through an Election – David Randall, Senior Associate Dean and Chief of Staff for Student Life, discusses resources for faculty and staff to support students leading up to and following the 2020 election.