We all understand that unexpected circumstances arise and you may not be able to attend your scheduled session on time or at all. The students, MECC staff and PEP administration appreciate your patience and participation in helping the logistics go smoothly when these little bumps happen! Please let us know if you have any questions or need help navigating the system.
What if I’m late for class?
We ask that you plan on arriving to MECC early for each class session. It helps to maintain WashU’s professional reputation with the Department of Corrections staff and ensures that you can get to class on time.
If you are ever running late, you should call the prison to let them know and ask them to “hold” your students. We all understand that emergencies happen.
You should keep the main number for the prison (636) 257-3322 programmed into your phone so you can call from the road. An operator will answer and you should ask them to get a message to the officers in the “Education Annex” (day classes) or in “Programs” (night classes). You should explain that you are a WashU professor or tutor, that you are still coming for class or tutoring, and that you are requesting that they please hold your students instead of sending them back to the housing units.
If you do not do this, it is likely that your students will be sent away. The MECC staff will have to try and call your students up again after you arrive, which would take up more class time and may cause logistical problems for the MECC staff.
Canceling a Class or Tutoring Session
The procedure for canceling your session may vary depending on when you’re canceling: the day of your session, the day before your session, or more than one day before your session. See the options below and feel free to email us if you have any questions.
I am canceling on…
the day of my scheduled session
Call MECC (636) 257-3322. You should ask for the Education Annex and tell them that you will not be able to attend your scheduled session and you need to cancel it. If the Annex is closed when you are calling, explain the situation to the operator and ask for guidance on whom to contact. You may want to get the name of the person to whom you are talking. [e.g., “Can I ask whom I’m talking to?” “John? Thank you so much, John, for all your help. I really appreciate it.”]
2. Email a confirmation.
SAMPLE EMAIL:
TO: Gregory.J.Smith@doc.mo.gov; prisonedproject@wustl.edu; rhenke@wustl.edu
SUBJECT: TODAY: Canceling Session [your last name] [time]
Dear Mr. Smith,
Unfortunately, I am not able to attend my scheduled session at MECC today at [time] for [study hall or class] in [room you regularly in meet]. I apologize for the late notice.
I just called into the prison to inform [name of person/department you talked to] of this cancellation.
Thank you for all your help and flexibility. Please let me know if I need to anything further.
All best,
I am canceling on…
the day before my scheduled session
1. Notify PEP and our IAC via email.
SAMPLE EMAIL:
TO: Gregory.J.Smith@doc.mo.gov; prisonedproject@wustl.edu; rhenke@wustl.edu
SUBJECT: [date and time] Canceling [study hall or class]
Dear Mr. Smith,
Unfortunately, I am not able to attend my scheduled session at MECC tomorrow, [date and time] for [study hall or course name] in [room you regularly in meet]. I apologize for the late notice.
Please let me know if you need anything further from me. If I do not hear back from you by the end of the day, I will call the prison first thing tomorrow morning to ensure that the officers are notified of the cancellation.
Thank you for all your help and flexibility.
All best,
2. If you have not received email confirmation from Mr. Smith, as soon as you are able the morning of your session, please call MECC (636) 257-3322. You should ask for the Education Annex and tell them that you will not be able to attend your scheduled session and you need to cancel it. If the Annex is closed when you are calling, explain the situation to the operator and ask for guidance on whom to contact.
I am canceling…
more than one day before my scheduled session
1. Notify PEP of your cancellation.
SAMPLE EMAIL:
TO: prisonedproject@wustl.edu; rhenke@wustl.edu
SUBJECT: [month/day] Canceling [study hall or course name] [time]
Hi,
Unfortunately, I am not able to attend my scheduled session at MECC on [date(s) and times] for [study hall or course name].
Would you please inform the prison of this schedule change? And, let me know if there is anything further I need to do on my end.
Thank you,
Note: if it is two or three days before your scheduled session, you may want to include in your email a request for confirmation of the cancellation.
2. PEP will cancel your session for you.