Ignore, Reject, Answer? What to Do about Student Email Messages

 
Some of my colleagues are running courses where they ask students to write essays on science subjects. Part of the assignment is to contact a Professor in the discipline and get them to help with the scientific content of the essay. The idea is for the students to make sure they have their facts correct. A side benefit is that it gets the students in touch with active researchers.

Some of us object to this procedure on the grounds that if it became widespread there would be hundreds of students looking for Professors to help them on their assignment. Most Professors have other priorities, like teaching their own classes. To some extent, our colleagues who engage in this practice are downloading their teaching responsibilities onto others.

From 1992-2000 I ran a molecular biology course where the students had to write a major essay. They were told to do the research themselves but the instructors would be available if they need help with the interpretation of some papers. If necessary, we would put them in touch with an expert but only after the student had done enough work to ask intelligent questions on difficult material.

Here's an email message that was sent to my Sandwalk address last night. How should I respond? I don't feel comfortable ignoring the message. I will feel awkward if I refuse to help. I don't had time to answer the question—it's complicated and, besides, it's not my area of expertise.

Dear Professor Moran,

As part of a University assignment, I have been asked to email a group of experts to request their professional opinion on a particular question.

I have come to understand that a child with Dyspraxia should supplement their diet with a high dose of essential fatty acids. However, as non-Dyspraxic people age it is advised that they also should supplement their diet with these oils to combat age-related memory loss. Does this mean that people with Dyspraxia should augment their intake yet again when they age? If so, could this have an adverse effect on their health?

As your organisation came up in an internet search as being reputable, your answer to this question would be much appreciated.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this email and I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

This makes me angry. No matter what I do, I'm going to be disappointing a student who might really benefit from a reply. In my opinion the student's Professor is at fault for assigning such a task to the students.

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