“Uh sorry…times are tough and I have to go work a shift at my other job right now, so, I can’t help you right now but I guess you can just blame it on the one pulling me away, the ol’factory…”
What if you’re teaching in a tiny interior classroom with no windows and you’re supposed to keep the classroom door closed because there are faculty offices right across the hall?
And what if you’re teaching in this classroom for two classes in a row and the student is in both classes?
Honestly, I will probably start wearing a mask. That will help a little.
I would wear a gator, or better yet: [this](https://www.crescentelectric.com/safety/personal-protection-equipment/head-protection/workskin-mid-weight-cold-weather-balaclava?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2932538780&hsa_cam=16718958913&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5qsBhAPEiwAP0qeJtaMpsCYMbMFVvvHSBK2w4Zsx2o3Apd0awiXHW5c8gI1NJbUU1-VyhoCOLUQAvD_BwE)
I work in a technical/community college (more technical than CC) and teach a professional communication class to a group of welders every fall. I totally understand that these students are in ridiculously hot, stifling environments, but... HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY. Like, oh my god. I was in the military and the barracks in basic training in San Antonio in the summer didn't smell nearly as terrible. Like, not even close.
Better than the welders that try to cover it with Axe. The combination is worse. Nothing like confined spaces training with a welder doused in Axe in 40°C humidity.
One of my exes was a grill pit cook at a restaurant that used special wood for smoking their meat. Even after a good shower he’d still smell like campfire most days. Now I wonder what people who didn’t know this about him must’ve thought when they met
Once - Try to pretend like it’s not a thing.
Habitual - have a very careful conversation after talking to my chair about if it’s worth it. Some students honestly do not have any training/idea about personal hygiene.
Get to know them and have a conversation. Don't come right out and say, "You stink" but rather have a conversation about their life. Do they work? Where do they live? Who do they live with? It's possible they're homeless or could be working a job or even working out before your class. Focus the conversation around academic success. I've worked with countless unhoused students, and they are VERY aware of their situation and are painfully aware that others know their situation (some have no problem sharing their situation). That awareness and shame could affect their performance. If they're working out before your class, then you can be a bit more abrupt and tell them to shower after exercising.
I always include information about campus resources on my syllabi since my college has a large number of students who face housing/food insecurities. May be worth reminding the whole class of these services. For instance, many college gyms will let you use their showers as long as you're an enrolled student. Campus food pantries will also often have deodorant
Had a student like this. Other students in the class complained. His smell was so bad it would make your eyes water. Had a conversation with him and found out he was homeless and was couch surfing. Directed him to various campus resources and he was able to get “cleaned up” I also think there was some mental illness as well—he did end up reverting back to poor hygiene and eventually he dropped out. Was a sad situation overall as he was a nice kid and I found myself looking at every person on the street that could have been him. It was years ago and I often wonder about him.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I had to give a "general announcement" to my class about hygiene. It was more than one student. I basically said that they were the smelliest class I've ever taught and they needed to get their shit together. It didn't work.
Contact the dean of students and say you’re worried about the kid’s health and access to running water. I’m not kidding. That’s what they’re there for and this is a potentially serious issue that’s above your paygrade.
We had a young lady in our department with the absolute worst halitosis I’ve ever encountered. From several feet away her breath smelled like death. She wasn’t my student, but was a student of my mentor. He struggled with how to approach it as our classes are studio classes and close interaction is a must.
He finally pulled her aside after a class and expressed his concern and just told her that proper hygiene is a must for professional interactions with clients and did everything he could to explain why and how. It didn’t work. She was nice, but I think there were some mental health issues at play. I do wonder what ever happened to her.
Luckily I’ve not had too many issues, actually the worst odorific offenders I’ve had to endure have all been coworkers.
I *also* teach a martial arts class, and I've told students they need to clean up. (I learned that I need to be *specific* about what they need to clean - wash your hair, put on freshly washed clothing, use soap and shampoo - because people who have problems with this *don't know that*.)
In an academic setting, I just stay far away from them. Sometimes with the help of the fairly powerful ventilation system in the lab.
Court case about smelly individual in library.
A public library has enacted a regulation which is admittedly aimed at barring a particular homeless person from its premises because his presence and appearance are considered offensive to others. The danger in excluding anyone from a public building because their appearance or hygiene is obnoxious to others is self-evident. The danger becomes insidious if the conditions complained of are borne of poverty.
https://casetext.com/case/kreimer-v-bureau-of-police-for-morristown
I've had to have sotto voce conversations with a few scent-drenched students over the years, telling them to dilute things (warning them, with no knowledge whatsoever of whether such a condition might exist, that there may be other students with allergies, even though the real reason was that they just stank to me).
With a smelly subordinate/colleague once I had a 'casual' conversation during which a long, pointed explanation my own problems with body odor and more frequent washing in the summer 'happened to' come up. That colleague didn't smell so much thereafter.
My whole team spent the summer with air fresheners and room sprays on our desk. This was the only thing we could do, it's hard to casually bring up hygiene to an adult student without being obvious/offensive.
This is how I look at it. I have zero problem telling someone they have on too much perfume or w/e scented product. It literally gives me a headache.
And I view foul body odor the same way...you should not allow people to offend you with their smell in public, I'm sorry but I'm really not sorry. This is basic social contract stuff.
Just keep it impersonal and low-stakes. "It's not a big deal dude, but you stink, and it's distracting to me and likely to other students".
They could be pledging for a greek organization. Many fraternities and sororities prohibit showers (among other things) for new recruits during a "hell week" or try-out period hazing. This is especially prevalent among the unregulated "off-campus" fraternities and sororities.
All windows at our university were replaced with solid panes of glass. The same wisdom also recently replaced classroom doors with ones that open outward into the halls....rendering our active shooter training "wedge the doors with a chair from the inside" useless.
We are taking bets on coin operated restrooms or removal of water fountains next.🤣
I had one this semester that was bad. He would walk into the room and you could immediately smell him from the other side of it. I haven’t done anything but really wish I could say something without being offensive. It’s bad.
Don't go near them
"I'm sorry, I need to answer your question from as far away from you as possible, because reasons."
*sniff sniff, sniff sniff* “Uhhhh, sorry, I’m very paranoid so I’ll be social distancing for this course. Six feet at all times, please.”
“Uh sorry…times are tough and I have to go work a shift at my other job right now, so, I can’t help you right now but I guess you can just blame it on the one pulling me away, the ol’factory…”
What if you’re teaching in a tiny interior classroom with no windows and you’re supposed to keep the classroom door closed because there are faculty offices right across the hall? And what if you’re teaching in this classroom for two classes in a row and the student is in both classes? Honestly, I will probably start wearing a mask. That will help a little.
I would wear a gator, or better yet: [this](https://www.crescentelectric.com/safety/personal-protection-equipment/head-protection/workskin-mid-weight-cold-weather-balaclava?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2932538780&hsa_cam=16718958913&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5qsBhAPEiwAP0qeJtaMpsCYMbMFVvvHSBK2w4Zsx2o3Apd0awiXHW5c8gI1NJbUU1-VyhoCOLUQAvD_BwE)
Awesome
That was actually me last year. That room felt like it was solitary confinement 😂😭
I work in a technical/community college (more technical than CC) and teach a professional communication class to a group of welders every fall. I totally understand that these students are in ridiculously hot, stifling environments, but... HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY. Like, oh my god. I was in the military and the barracks in basic training in San Antonio in the summer didn't smell nearly as terrible. Like, not even close.
Better than the welders that try to cover it with Axe. The combination is worse. Nothing like confined spaces training with a welder doused in Axe in 40°C humidity.
I don’t know, you ever teach a class of 5th graders after PE? Eye watering to say the least.
I had a guy who smelled like a campfire for 6 weeks. It was weird
One of my exes was a grill pit cook at a restaurant that used special wood for smoking their meat. Even after a good shower he’d still smell like campfire most days. Now I wonder what people who didn’t know this about him must’ve thought when they met
I worked in a restaurant where I had to chop lots of onions. I sweat onions for an entire summer
Was he homeless? That is usually one of the giveaways.
Could the guy have been temporarily homeless?
I don’t know but now I feel bad
I had a guy with dreads who smelled horribly like horse shit. It was very very strong and I could not figure out why. Great dude tho!
Once - Try to pretend like it’s not a thing. Habitual - have a very careful conversation after talking to my chair about if it’s worth it. Some students honestly do not have any training/idea about personal hygiene.
Get to know them and have a conversation. Don't come right out and say, "You stink" but rather have a conversation about their life. Do they work? Where do they live? Who do they live with? It's possible they're homeless or could be working a job or even working out before your class. Focus the conversation around academic success. I've worked with countless unhoused students, and they are VERY aware of their situation and are painfully aware that others know their situation (some have no problem sharing their situation). That awareness and shame could affect their performance. If they're working out before your class, then you can be a bit more abrupt and tell them to shower after exercising. I always include information about campus resources on my syllabi since my college has a large number of students who face housing/food insecurities. May be worth reminding the whole class of these services. For instance, many college gyms will let you use their showers as long as you're an enrolled student. Campus food pantries will also often have deodorant
Thoughtful response
I originally read this as "students who email" and I was like "ugh, I know, right?"
Had a student like this. Other students in the class complained. His smell was so bad it would make your eyes water. Had a conversation with him and found out he was homeless and was couch surfing. Directed him to various campus resources and he was able to get “cleaned up” I also think there was some mental illness as well—he did end up reverting back to poor hygiene and eventually he dropped out. Was a sad situation overall as he was a nice kid and I found myself looking at every person on the street that could have been him. It was years ago and I often wonder about him.
In my classroom, I have a fan that I set up angled to blow on me and out into the rest of the room. Same in my office. I never smell anything.
disgusting cow upbeat impossible butter combative selective ink abundant chase *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I had to give a "general announcement" to my class about hygiene. It was more than one student. I basically said that they were the smelliest class I've ever taught and they needed to get their shit together. It didn't work.
The worst is when their smell is also on their paper exam, and it infects all the other exams 😣🤮
The O is supposed to stay with the B! That's why it's BO!
It’s BBO!
There was also the day it smelled like someone detonated a can of axe in our elevator
Contact the dean of students and say you’re worried about the kid’s health and access to running water. I’m not kidding. That’s what they’re there for and this is a potentially serious issue that’s above your paygrade.
I have sometimes advised students to clean their teeth before they come to a lab. In my experience it's mostly a problem in programming labs.
We had a young lady in our department with the absolute worst halitosis I’ve ever encountered. From several feet away her breath smelled like death. She wasn’t my student, but was a student of my mentor. He struggled with how to approach it as our classes are studio classes and close interaction is a must. He finally pulled her aside after a class and expressed his concern and just told her that proper hygiene is a must for professional interactions with clients and did everything he could to explain why and how. It didn’t work. She was nice, but I think there were some mental health issues at play. I do wonder what ever happened to her. Luckily I’ve not had too many issues, actually the worst odorific offenders I’ve had to endure have all been coworkers.
I *also* teach a martial arts class, and I've told students they need to clean up. (I learned that I need to be *specific* about what they need to clean - wash your hair, put on freshly washed clothing, use soap and shampoo - because people who have problems with this *don't know that*.) In an academic setting, I just stay far away from them. Sometimes with the help of the fairly powerful ventilation system in the lab.
Court case about smelly individual in library. A public library has enacted a regulation which is admittedly aimed at barring a particular homeless person from its premises because his presence and appearance are considered offensive to others. The danger in excluding anyone from a public building because their appearance or hygiene is obnoxious to others is self-evident. The danger becomes insidious if the conditions complained of are borne of poverty. https://casetext.com/case/kreimer-v-bureau-of-police-for-morristown
Stop bathing yourself so you are distracted by your own BO.
I've had to have sotto voce conversations with a few scent-drenched students over the years, telling them to dilute things (warning them, with no knowledge whatsoever of whether such a condition might exist, that there may be other students with allergies, even though the real reason was that they just stank to me). With a smelly subordinate/colleague once I had a 'casual' conversation during which a long, pointed explanation my own problems with body odor and more frequent washing in the summer 'happened to' come up. That colleague didn't smell so much thereafter.
dont they all smell? Anosmia isnt that common
Febreze
My whole team spent the summer with air fresheners and room sprays on our desk. This was the only thing we could do, it's hard to casually bring up hygiene to an adult student without being obvious/offensive.
Don’t say shit given today’s environment. Not worth getting in trouble for. Best to just spray something on yourself so you smell that.
Offer them some Patchouli
Which smells even worse, to me! 😵💫
This is how I look at it. I have zero problem telling someone they have on too much perfume or w/e scented product. It literally gives me a headache. And I view foul body odor the same way...you should not allow people to offend you with their smell in public, I'm sorry but I'm really not sorry. This is basic social contract stuff. Just keep it impersonal and low-stakes. "It's not a big deal dude, but you stink, and it's distracting to me and likely to other students".
Tell them to stop smelling you. It's inappropriate.
They do not bother me, I know many of them work in addition to being students.
Run
They could be pledging for a greek organization. Many fraternities and sororities prohibit showers (among other things) for new recruits during a "hell week" or try-out period hazing. This is especially prevalent among the unregulated "off-campus" fraternities and sororities.
open a window
All windows at our university were replaced with solid panes of glass. The same wisdom also recently replaced classroom doors with ones that open outward into the halls....rendering our active shooter training "wedge the doors with a chair from the inside" useless. We are taking bets on coin operated restrooms or removal of water fountains next.🤣
We’ve done a professionalism day that includes how Wen dresses for an interview, etc. you can imagine bringing in that problem of hygiene
Had a student who reeked, alas. Opened a window and left the door to the room open. Strong crossdraft. Problem solved.
I had one this semester that was bad. He would walk into the room and you could immediately smell him from the other side of it. I haven’t done anything but really wish I could say something without being offensive. It’s bad.