Thread by @FlyBehaviour

In Academia, people aren’t always supported when they need it. I want to share what @WesternU did when my husband died right after the pandemic shutdown. It should be shared with other uni’s as a model for empathy and proactive care when someone is in crisis.
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#AcademicChatter

My husband died, suddenly and traumatically, a week into shutdown. Myself and our 3 kids had intense grief and trauma when anxiety was already high, all services were closed, everyone was isolated, and travel was nearly impossible. This could easily have sent us over the edge.
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Immediately, my Chair @WesternuBio contacted the Dean @WesternuScience and the head of HR. In <24h they had special permission to bring my parents over the closed border into Canada, plane tickets paid by the uni, and a car to drive over the border from the airport.
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I had 5 months full pay leave. Teaching and service was taken over by peers. My grad students each had a temporary ‘surrogate supervisor’. I did not have to ask/beg for any of this – it was coordinated, then I was asked if I was ok with the suggested changes.
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They waived the counseling 12 session limit for us, set us up with excellent people, and are direct-billing it to the uni so we don’t have to deal with paperwork. They also offered free counseling to each of my grad students. I did not have to ask for or coordinate this.
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Since outside interactions were risky during shutdown, they had someone bring us groceries each week so that I did not have to expose my family to the risk of being out in public. **For 3 months**. I did not have to ask for this – they saw a potential need and offered.
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My Chair phoned to check in on how we were doing. My Dean phoned. The head of HR came by. Each conscientiously making sure the timing was good for me. I received a lovely condolence card from the uni president. Genuine concern and empathy permeated these interactions.
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And even now, 7 mo later, my Chair checks in, adjusts work commitments without hesitation when I ask. She trusts that if I ask it’s because it’s what I need, then makes it happen. And that feels like a gift. But...it shouldn’t. It should be standard practice everywhere.
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Thoughtful proactive support is how uni’s should respond to someone in need. It doesn’t have to be crisis level to warrant this. It is their interest, too. Without support, I could have slipped off the edge. Instead, I’m doing ok, which means I’ll continue to be productive.
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When I desperately needed their A game, @WesternU brought their A+ game. The incredible level of thoughtfulness and proactive support went (and continues to go) beyond what I would have thought an employer would bring. And for that I will be eternally grateful.
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I have, and will continue to be, critical of areas where my uni can improve. But @WesternU's level of compassion and support in a crisis was truly remarkable. Universities – strive to be the type of place that gets a faculty member to write you a love letter like this.
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