Psychology program adjusts after professor’s medical emergency

October 14, 2026 - 17:18

Psychology students and faculty have spent several weeks adjusting to course changes and limited information after Professor of Psychological Science Donald Evans experienced a medical emergency on Sept. 9. The situation raised concerns about communication that eventually reached the Student Government Association.

Minutes from the Student Government Association meeting on Sept. 23 noted that students were very frustrated with the lack of information regarding the status of their classes. According to those records, students felt left in the dark about whether courses would continue, who would take over instruction, or how their grades would be handled for the remainder of the semester.

In the weeks that followed, the department worked to reassign courses and bring in substitute instructors. Some students reported that the transition was uneven, with different classes receiving different levels of updates. Faculty members also faced the challenge of covering material without disrupting the overall curriculum.

The incident has prompted discussions about how the university communicates during unexpected absences. Student representatives have suggested creating a clearer protocol for notifying students when a professor is unavailable for an extended period. Department officials have not released further details about Evans's condition or his expected return date.