Student Reference

Faculty and staff members may receive reference requests from students or alumni who are seeking employment, housing, volunteer work, and scholarship and related opportunities; the faculty member or staff member may serve as a reference or decline to do so. If the faculty member or staff member chooses to serve as a reference, the following procedure is to be followed:

• The student is responsible for initiating a Request for a Letter of Recommendation or Verbal Reference form.
  • The form must be signed by the student to grant permission for the faculty or staff member to serve as a reference and to acknowledge their understanding of what information will or will not be disclosed.
  • The form must also be signed by the faculty or staff member to confirm their agreement with the details of what will or will not be shared.
• The student and faculty or staff member should mutually agree on the topics of discussion. There should be a clear conversation between both parties about what will be said, how it will be communicated, and what will be withheld.
  • The following are guidelines for this discussion (The reference should be contained to information observed in class, student groups, etc.):
    • Proficiency with tools and equipment
    • Quality of class projects
    • Work ethic
    • Observance of safety procedures
    • Ability to work independently and in teams
    • Honors and awards earned
    • Official graduate status (only if verified through the Registrar's Office)
      • The reference should not divulge:
        • GPA
        • Specific attendance patterns
        • Personal information
        • Other institutions where the student may be applying
        • Anything that could harm, defame, or cause the student to be viewed as unemployable in any way

Note: Faculty or staff members may not serve as a reference for a student worker. A student worker’s request for a reference must be forwarded to Human Resources.

Alumni

In cases where alumni no longer have access to the Dunwoody network, faculty should download a blank copy of the form and send it to them as an attachment. Once the completed form is returned and added to the student's record, faculty can follow the steps outlined above for reference.