Of course, you could simply not respond to the request. If they do follow it up with a phone call, the best thing is to simply say that you prefer not to be a reference, and leave it at that.
Had a student a while ago who insisted that I provide a reference, and threatened to sue if I didn't. Ticked me off to the point where I sent a brutally honest and thoroughly documented letter of reference, including the threat of legal action! Needless to say I never heard from a lawyer. On Nov 19, 2008, at 8:47 AM, David Wasieleski wrote: > Hey all. Today I received an email from someone asking for a > reference for a former student of mine who is applying for the job. > The emails asks of course for information on her aptitude and work > ethic. Without going into all the gory details, this student ended > up as a thesis student of mine and actually displayed significant > problems with work ethic (e.g., going off to Las Vegas for four > days with less than two weeks to get her thesis done to graduate on > time, and then expecting me to respond overnight to a draft sent to > me). Since her graduation the student asked if I would serve as a > reference, and I suggested that given all that had happened, others > would serve better as a reference for her. So this email comes as a > dismaying surprise. I of course do not plan to respond to it via > email but by phone. I don't know that I want to simply state that I > don't want to serve as a reference. But clearly this puts me in a > bind regarding what to say when I do make that phone call. Has > anyone else dealt with similar circumstances? Paul Brandon Emeritus Professor of Psychology Minnesota State University, Mankato [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
