Thread by @Dr_Joe_McIntyre

All #Australian #Academics please note:

CENSUS DAY is fast approaching (for many Unis 31st March, some 26th March [today!])

***Please remind your students that they can withdraw before Census Date without financial or academic consequence in that course***

A million Australian have lost their jobs this week. Mostly casuals like our students. I am get heart wrenching emails from my students.

In these circumstances, students physical and mental well-being may be served by reducing sources of stress and anxiety. Like study

We love our jobs, and teaching our students. But for many of them the best thing right now may be to pause their study:

https://twitter.com/juliettemm/status/1242287780912222209

To the suggestion that we should not advertise this to our student because it may be against the the Uni's interests, I say F*Ck Off!!

Our students health and well being must be our first concern: student health before uni profit

Universities have a primary duty to protect students health.

If the choice is between my financial security and my student's lives, what choice do I really have

I reiterate, I am getting dozens of heart wrenching emails a day from students whose lives are falling apart, losing jobs, businesses, etc - and they are being crushed by the thought of approaching assignments and staying on top of their readings.

Remember this hierarchy:

Everything we do needs to be seen through this lens. Keep our students safe; minimise their stress....and if appropriate, teach them a bit

For some students, keeping on going with their studies will be one light in dark times. I have had students on zoom celebrate that one moment of social contact.

But for others it is that one pressure too many

Perhaps, dropping one course will make the difference

So PLEASE, PLEASE remind your students TODAY that if they withdraw before Census Date, they do not have to pay fees or have it recorded on transcript.

Please reach out to your students