<p>I like the way yayverily put it in post 92 (in addition to enjoying the screen name).</p>
<p>If people think “doing” something about a grade = intervening about it, that’s helicoptering. If people think “doing” something about it = “punishing,” that could be considered infantilizing. I don’t think that those of us who appreciate RECEIVING unsolicited grades are talking about such responses. I think we’re talking the same kind of caring awareness (and then some) as we would have about a beloved friend in whom we saw warning signs. And even awareness is not necessarily a call to action. It’s just information. If you have some kind of scruples about it, don’t open the envelope (if you believe you know the contents of all envelopes addressed to you, from your S’s or D’s U, or perhaps you have X-ray vision). If you open such an envelope & discover to your horror a breach in FERPA laws, you will not be in violation of the law, the U will. They sent it. You can always report them if you further then choose to sabotage your S’s or D’s college career out of greater concern for federal mandates than the student’s peace at the college. </p>
<p>Especially when it comes to the topic of depression, it is important for others to become aware of the sufferer’s manifestations, as (1) it is not always obvious to oneself, and (2) there are social pressures in college to disregard it. (Refer to Minna Sandmeier & many others like her.)</p>