2.1 Uncertainty: Addressing concerns about changing circumstances
| What a student may say | How you can begin to respond | Key Resources |
|---|---|---|
| I'm scared. |
This is an unprecedented and difficult situation. It is completely normal to be scared. Could you share more with me about what’s worrying you? |
The Gold Folder - indicators of distress, with resources referrals for students |
| What is going to happen with [plans not yet solidified]? | I don’t know the details, but what I can tell you is that UC Berkeley is working on a plan to address this. It would help me to understand how this impacts you. What are you most concerned about related to [plans]? | news.berkeley.edu/coronavirus |
| The college is making new decisions and changing policies every day. Why? | Our primary concern is for the safety of our students. We are trying to make the best decisions for everyone, using the information available to us at the time. I know this feels chaotic, but the situation is changing rapidly, here and around the country. I will do my best to share updated information with you as soon as I have it. | news.berkeley.edu/coronavirus |
| I don’t know what’s going on. Why isn’t Cal telling us more about what is going on? | I know things are uncertain right now, and that’s very difficult. Here is what I can tell you about the campus planning process for this situation. | news.berkeley.edu/coronavirus |
2.2 Academic Progress: Discussing academic options and trajectories
| What a student may say | How you can begin to respond | Key resources |
|---|---|---|
| I am supposed to graduate this term. Will graduation happen? | You’ve worked so hard to get to this point and I understand how deeply important commencement is to you. I imagine it is so hard not knowing whether you'll be able to celebrate commencement in person, on campus, in the future. The latest information on the campus-wide commencement plans is on the main campus website. Hopefully we will have some updates soon about that and also other, smaller, commencement celebrations. | news.berkeley.edu/coronavirus |
| I need [X] for my major/degree, and now it’s not available. I am worried about my academic progress. | The department/campus is doing the best we can to continue offering our normal courses/opportunities to our students, but we have had to change some things because of this situation. The campus is committed to working with students to keep them on track. Let’s talk about your options / Let me connect you with someone who can go over your options with you. | |
| I’m having trouble concentrating. | This is such a tough situation. I think anyone would have trouble concentrating under these circumstances. I am here to support you. Can you tell me more about how this is impacting you? |
The Gold Folder - indicators of distress, with associated resources to refer students to |
| I need to pause my education right now to focus on my/my family’s basic needs. What are my options? | Thank you for sharing this with me. You are certainly not the only person making this same difficult decision right now. Let’s talk about your options, and how we can make it as smooth as possible for you to start courses again when your situation allows. Even during normal times, it is common for students to pause their education due to circumstances beyond their control, and then to resume their education at a later time. |
2.3 Health and Safety: Addressing public health and safety concerns
| What a student may say | How you can begin to respond | Key resources |
|---|---|---|
| I’m worried I have coronavirus or am worried about getting coronavirus. What should I do? | That concern is understandable. Here is where you can find the most up to date information from the campus about what to do next. |
University Health Services COVID-19 FAQ Your local public health department |
| I’m worried about my vulnerable family/friends. | I think many people share your concern right now. This is such a difficult situation. Can you tell me a bit more about how this worry is impacting you? |
University Health Services COVID-19 FAQ Your local public health department |
| My family member or friend is sick, or in the hospital. | I am so sorry to hear this. (Silence] How can I support you right now? |
The Gold Folder - indicators of distress, with resources to refer students to |
| My family member or friend has passed away. | I am so sorry for your loss.[Silence] How can I support you right now? |
The Gold Folder - indicators of distress, with resources to refer students to |
| The place where I'm staying is unsafe. I'm worried about what might happen if I stay where I am, but I don't know where else to go. |
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. You deserve to be safe and comfortable where you're living. I want to support you in any way I can. I also want you to know that I am a Responsible Employee and must share whatever I learn about harm related to domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or stalking, with the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination. I'm telling you this so you can decide what you'd like to share with me. I'm concerned about your safety and want to support you, whatever you decide. There are trained, confidential advocates at the PATH to Care Center who can help. The PATH to Care Center is still operating, and you have the option to speak with a confidential advocate anytime. Would you like to call them together now? [Remember, unless you are a designated Confidential Resource, you are considered a Responsible Employee. This means if someone affiliated with UC Berkeley discloses an experience of harm related to sexual violence and sexual harassment, you must share what you learn with The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). For more information, contact the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination or the PATH to Care Center.] |
PATH to Care Center (confidential); 24/7 Urgent Support Care Line: 510-643-2005. Social Services for students (confidential) |
2.4 Campus Housing: Addressing concerns related to housing and campus closures
| What a student may say | How you can begin to respond | Key resources |
|---|---|---|
| Do I have to leave campus? | The latest information on student housing is on the Student Affairs website. Academic buildings on campus closed in March; information about that is on the main campus website. Do you have questions or concerns about this? | sa.berkeley.edu/covid19/housing |
| I have nowhere to go. | The campus understands that not all students have the ability to leave campus. Your health and safety is very important. Let’s talk about your options / let me reach out to someone who can tell us what options are available. | |
| I’m far from family and have no money to get home. | I am so sorry. I imagine it’s very difficult to be far from family in this situation. Let’s talk about your options / let me reach out to someone who can tell us what options are available. |
2.5 Remote instruction: Discussing transitioning to distance learning
| What a student may say | How you can begin to respond | Key Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
I don’t have reliable internet access at home. How am I supposed to attend class? |
Thank you for sharing this with me. There are a number of students facing a similar situation. Individual instructors, along with campus leadership, are working on some solutions in the way courses are designed. In the meantime, it would be a good idea to reach out to each of your instructors to let them know that you may have difficulty accessing the materials. You can also reach out to departmental or campus advisors with questions. The Instructional Resilience website has useful information. |
Resources for Students with Technology Needs Grad Division updates for graduate students |
| I don’t know how to use the online course setup. Does it mean I can’t succeed? | Experiencing challenges during this transition is completely understandable, and not a sign that you can’t be successful under these circumstances. Remote instruction is new for many students, and many instructors. We’re all figuring this out together. Can you tell me more about the obstacles you’re facing? | |
| I’m having tech issues that are hindering my coursework. Should I just give up? |
Technological issues are a common experience, and not at all a sign that you cannot succeed. Please tell me more about what you’re experiencing. |
Resources for Students with Technology Needs |
| I was having a hard time keeping up with course material during regular courses. How will I keep up now? | I understand your concern. Can you tell me a bit more about what has been challenging for you so far in this course? I may be able to direct you to some helpful resources. | |
| My kids are out of school. I am worried about taking care of them and keeping up with my courses. | This is such a difficult situation.There are a number of students facing a similar situation. Many individual instructors, along with department and campus leadership, are working on ways to accommodate student learning under these circumstances. It would be a good idea to reach out to each of your instructors and/or TA’s to let them know that you are balancing care responsibilities with your schoolwork. They may have already planned for flexibility in their course to address this. | Student Parent Center |
| My instructors are carrying on with course assignments as though nothing has changed, or giving us more work than usual. Do they not understand what I’m going through? |
I imagine this feels very frustrating and worrisome. Many instructors are new to online courses, and may not be fully aware of the challenges that students are facing in this transition. If you feel comfortable doing so, it may be a good idea to reach out to your instructors and/or TA’s to let them know about any challenges you are having adjusting to distance learning. Would you like me to help you draft an email that addresses your concerns? This is a very tough time for those coping with illness, financial and housing concerns, relatives to take care of, etc. The campus has some resources that can help you with these things, too. |
Basic Needs Center |
| I share a computer with other members of my family, and can’t be online when classes are scheduled/use it enough to complete all of my coursework. | This must be very challenging. There are a number of students in a similar position. Individual instructors, along with campus leadership, are working on some solutions in the way courses are designed. In the meantime, it would be a good idea to reach out to each of your instructors to let them know that you may have difficulty attending class / completing assignments. | |
| I have asked one of my instructors for accommodations under these circumstances, but I have not heard back. What should I do? | I can imagine that this feels very stressful. Right now, instructors are working hard to adapt to remote instruction. This is a large and challenging undertaking, and they may be having a difficult time responding to individual student emails in a timely manner. Please know that many instructors, and school leaders, are working on solutions for accommodating students through this transition. The Disabled Students Program can assist you if your accommodation is due to a documented disability. The Academic Accommodations site also has helpful guidance. For the time being, do what you can to participate in the course, and if you haven’t heard back in a few days feel free to follow up again. I will document that we spoke about this as well. |
Disabled Students Program (DSP) |
| I have asked one of my instructors for accommodations under these circumstances, but was denied my request. What should I do? | I am sorry to hear that. That must have been really difficult to hear. Please tell me more about the accommodations you are needing. The Disabled Students Program may be able to help you, or there may be ways that we can work to get your needs met without the instructor’s participation. |
Disabled Students Program (DSP) |
| Some other students in the zoom class session have been making xenophobic comments and using offensive screen names; class feels unsafe to me |
I am sorry to hear that and will take steps immediately to make sure this doesn’t happen again. You deserve a safe and respectful classroom environment and it is my responsibility as an instructor to do what I can to ensure this. <Follow up with a message to class; learn how to manage zoom sessions> If someone is able to identify the individual or feels targeted themselves the student or the faculty member may make a report to the zoom misuse email, or Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, or Student Conduct and it will be reviewed for further action. |
Instructional Resilience Resources The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) |
2.6 Financial Insecurity: Addressing the impact of financial hardship
|
What a student may say |
How you can begin to respond |
Key resources |
|---|---|---|
|
I lost my job. |
I am so sorry. I know this is a difficult situation. How are you doing? Can you tell me a bit more about how this is impacting you? The campus has resources, such as the Basic Needs Center, that can help with things like food. |
Student Affairs COVID-19 updates (including financial aid) |
|
I am homeless or worried about becoming homeless during this situation. |
I know this is a scary situation. Your health and safety are very important. Can you tell me more about your situation? I will do my best to connect you with resources to help. |
Student Affairs COVID-19 updates (including housing) |
|
I am hungry or I don’t have enough to eat. |
I’m sorry you’re going through this. There are other students who are experiencing this too. Let me connect you with some campus/community resources to help with food insecurity. |
2.7 Self-Talk: Coping with what YOU need in times of uncertainty
Faculty and staff are trying to support students while facing their significant challenges of their own. Many of you are juggling caregiving responsibilities while trying to work from home. Many of you have financial stresses and fears about yourself and your loved ones. If there was a straightforward solution for continuing to be productive while coping with these stressors, you would have found it by now. Here are some suggestions for having these conversations with yourself:
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What you may be thinking |
A response to consider |
Key resources: |
|---|---|---|
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My students are struggling with serious issues like food and housing insecurity, and the loss of a loved one. I don’t know how to help them. |
It is true that you cannot save your students from going through this difficult time. But in situations of great adversity and uncertainty, your support can have the most impact. Remember what you can do: acknowledge that the student is experiencing a true hardship; express your care and concern for them and their situation; connect students to resources on your campus or in your community that provide support for essential needs. |
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I have too many students, and I can’t respond to all of the questions and concerns I’m getting. |
This is a difficult and extraordinary situation. Most faculty and staff are feeling overwhelmed by this situation at times, in their work and in their personal lives. In our experience, students can understand that staff have full plates of their own. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can let students know, perhaps with an email autoreply or very quick response email, that you may not be able to respond in a timely fashion but you do want to hear from students, and you are working to get information and pass on students’ concerns. |
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I am feeling overwhelmed. I am afraid I am getting burned out. |
This is completely understandable. You are doing important, challenging, and difficult work to support students through this ordeal. There is no easy solution for this situation, for the students or for you. You might consider using these same strategies for yourself: Normalize, for yourself, the experience of finding the current situation difficult and upsetting. Have self-compassion for your own concerns and challenges. Remember that these are highly unusual times and college leadership, staff, instructors, and students are learning how to handle it, together. Address your own concerns to the extent that is possible. Remind yourself that the situation is changing quickly, and that solutions are changing as circumstances change. Wait for updated information as plans continue to unfold. You can’t solve all of your own problems any more than you can solve students’ problems, but you can give yourself permission to feel how you are feeling and do the best you reasonably can, under your own constraints. |
Be Well at Work- Employee Assistance |