The Waiting Room

One of the biggest challenges at my college is dealing with the issues that the majority of the students face. The student demographic that attends my college are usually in the mid 20's and up, are single parents, either work or are receiving public assistance, have legal, financial, housing and transportation problems. coupled with academic deficiencies. It can be a challenge for many of the students to attend class regularly when they can't get to class because they don't have money for childcare.

I have worked with this demographic for many years. Honestly, I prefer working with these students. I think it's because I believe I am needed. I could teach at any law school, college or university and feel that I am contributing to the growth of the students. But, I think my students need to see someone like them who actually made it. It's a bigger high for me to see my students reach success. No one, not even the student, believed that they could be successful. For someone to believe in them is huge.

Lately, I have dealt with some serious issues with my students. One student is about to be homeless. Another stopped taking her anti-depressants because she can't afford to go to the doctor. Those issues are not uncommon for me to hear. But yesterday, I was actually at a loss for words.
A student came to me to tell me that another student indicated that she leaves her three year old child home alone so that she can attend class.

Whoa. That is really not OK.

I completely understand the whole childcare issue. It's wickedly expensive. And for those who want subsidized childcare, the process and wait time in Elsewhere is long, with no guarantees. But, that is still no reason to leave a child that young home alone! There are serious legal consequences at play here.

When I lived in Lake Effect Snow Central, I was a Law Guardian in the Family Court. That made me a mandatory reporter for child abuse. So, if this had happened there, I would have not choice but to report it. But now that I am living in Elsewhere, the issue is a little cloudy. I spoke to my Dean about what the policy was and what to do with this information. Obviously, doing nothing is not an option. I could not live with myself knowing what I know and doing nothing about it. Also, because I know, that means that the College knows. If anything happens, the College is on the hook. At the same time, I do not want to outright accuse the student of leaving her child home alone. Perhaps, it was a mistake or it happened just once. Even if it happened once, I want to help her avoid a potential serious situation. If this student needs assistance, I want to make sure she is pointed in the right direction.

The Dean suggested I talk to her and help her find another solution. She has one class with me and on with one of my adjunct instructors. I am willing to work with her, in that if she has to miss class because she can't find childcare, she can still keep up with her work. But, I also want to stress to her that leaving her child at home alone is So. Not. OK.

The College is supposed to hire a Director of Student Services, who will be charged with providing counseling and referrals for students who need assistance. Quite frankly, I am shocked that this was not in place when the college opened my branch two years ago. In the meantime, I suggested that all the program directors come up with a list of services that students can access. That way, when a student comes to a instructor or a director with a problem, we can at least point them in the right direction for assistance.

These problems will not go away. And given the state of affairs in this country, it's not getting better anytime soon. But, all my students want to do is have a better life for themselves and their families. I have an obligation to help them.