Several years ago, a colleague wrote a letter not unlike the one you, Chris, cite from a known university benefactor. It was written only after several polite refusals such as those used by David. This letter read, Admissions Committee, ______ University School of Medicine: Mr. Herbert _____ has asked me to write a letter in support of his application for admission to your program. I have known Herbert for several years and he is quite tall. Sincerely, _______
I don't know how the committee responded, if they did. D --------------- >>> "Christopher D. Green" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 11/19/08 1:39 PM >>> Once, when I was on a hiring committee, I saw a letter of reference (from a person well-known to the university as a benefactor and Board member) that read, simply: "<So-and-so> has asked me to write him letter of reference in support of his application for <such-and-such a position>. Please consider this to be such a letter. Sincerely,..." Nothing untoward was said. Everyone knew exactly how to interpret it. Perhaps you could try that. Regards, Chris Green York U. Toronto ========== 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? > > David T. Wasieleski, Ph.D. > Professor > Department of Psychology and Counseling > Valdosta State University > Valdosta, GA 31698 > 229-333-5620 > http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski > > "The only thing that ever made sense in my life > is the sound of my little girl laughing through the window on a summer > night... > Just the sound of my little girl laughing > makes me happy just to be alive..." > --Everclear > "Song from an American Movie" > --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
