And so it starts ..... ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH

[GiantSteps]

NC as I need to let off steam or I'll explode. And I could do with a view opinions about a response.

So, WWYD?

I received an email yesterday from a 3rd year student telling me that because their parents had a non-negotiable other commitment out of the country, this student will not be attending the first week of term scheduled classes.

Because - ohhhhh the snowflakery this student's parents won't be available to transport the student & stuff to my university town.

Arrrgggghhh

This is a 3rd year student - over 21 - no registered learning/physical disabilities (well, I do not have any note from student services about anything I need to be aware of) and they are unable to transport belongings for a WEEK In.a Suitcase.On.A.Train.

Please tell me I'm not BU to be hopping mad about this? I work in a department where the 1st week actually involves important stuff including working research groups for the rest of the term etc etc etc.

And what email should I send other than:

"You little tosser you are over 21. Get yourself here with a suitcase."

It is the student's responsibility and their loss. I wouldn't sweat it! Even if it is a poor excuse

I would just send an icily polite reply.

"Thank you for this update. If you are unable to attend classes, you will need to make your own arrangements to catch up in your own time. I look forward to seeing you on x date."

Or ignore.

Tell them it is unacceptable and they will have to make arrangements. Does the uni/union produce any sort of helpsheet about travel between uni and home? PA attach it to the email.

I told our admin person, and she pursed her lips, and said "I will have words." It'd scare me if she had words with me.

I'm waiting for another colleague who's running lab-style sessions (9 hours) in that first week to respond - my colleague will be doing a lot more with them in week 1 than I will, and will be right pissed off, I expect.

I just can't get over the patheticness of the student. They seem unable to conceptualise: suitcase-> train->be in class.

I think even 'having words' is an element of spoon feeding though. So they can't work a way to get there, their loss. I wouldn't care at all, it's their responsibility to catch up.

It's not your problem.
You can remind them what they missing out on, and that these are unlikely to be concisdered acceptable mitigating circumstances for absence, and then let them get in with it.

I suppose I'm just gobsmacked at the idea of a 21 year old not able to get themselves and a suitcase to university on their own.