<p>
</p>
<p>As an example, RPI told us they have an “early warning system” where if you miss class for a week, your prof is supposed to inform someone who will check in with you. I guess that means they are supposed to take attendance even in huge lecture classes – maybe they do it electronically using those clicker devices? Or maybe this just includes smaller classes and your smaller recitation sections for larger classes; I don’t know the details.</p>
<p>I would guess that a school with fewer kids per RA would be more likely to have an RA notice odd or dangerous behavior. And schools with smaller classes would be more likely to have an instructor who would notice and be concerned about a major change in a student’s attendance, participation or grades. </p>
<p>You call it “hovering” and for some who are just experimenting with the freedom of being away from home, it may be unwelcome. But for someone truly falling into a deep depression or having other serious problems, it can be life-saving. So I guess it comes down to finding the right balance for each kid.</p>