This fall, I have a student who seems unfamiliar with showering and deodorant. I haven’t said anything, hoping that the issue is just a one-off and that it will resolve itself. However, we’re quickly approaching the end of my patience, and I’m not sure how to proceed.
Everyone has a deodorant malfunction from time to time. Obviously, no one is going to be personally identified, even in a private email. My best idea so far is a general class announcement via the LMS that it’s been brought to my attention that we may have a problem and for everyone to please double check their hygiene before coming to class.
Have any of you all ever had to deal with this? Any suggestions?
Yeah, I’m not sure how specific to be. I am sure that this cannot continue for the rest of the semester.
I used to teach in a department with a wider variety of cultures. It was sometimes an issue there, but student who had been here longer generally took them aside after the first day and had a talk about US expectations. Our student ombudsman was also a no-nonsense and direct person who could take care of the situation in a short conversation. I don’t have that skill.
If the general announcement doesn’t work, I suppose I could always drag in the counselors. They seem to feel underutilized.