Having difficult conversations with students comes with the teaching territory. Whether interactions are online or face-to-face, the following resources provide faculty with information and resources to have those difficult conversations in a way that promotes student success.
Eight-Point Process for Difficult Conversations
According to this resource by Magna Publications, the following outline can help guide difficult conversations with students. Additional information about GSC-specific resources has been added in italics.
- Describe the behavior and its impacts If the behavior is related to academics, refer to your syllabus and assignment rubrics to help guide the dialog; if the behavior is a student conduct issue, refer to the appropriate Student Handbook
- Listen to the student’s perspective and response
- Discuss appropriate behavior
- Discuss resources to promote success There are numerous resources for student success – explore https://www.granite.edu/current-students/ for all Student Affairs and Student Services resources
- Reiterate or set parameters for future behaviors
- Share consequences for noncompliance
- Summarize the conversation
- Inform of any follow up:
- Document the conversation and plan
- Decide who you will inform You should inform your hiring supervisor and the student’s advisor of the situation; your hiring supervisor can help you determine whether Student Affairs needs to be informed.
- Check in with the student