If a student asks about campus buildings you don’t know, which response is best?

• A. Refuse to answer
• B. Tell them to back off
• C. Ask a student volunteer to answer
• D. Be prepared with a quick reference, offer to look it up, and guide to map or information desk.

Answer: (D)

When you’re unsure about something, the best approach is to be helpful and accurate by guiding the student to reliable resources. Being prepared with a quick reference, offering to look it up, and directing them to a map or the information desk shows you’re resourceful and supportive.

This response demonstrates professionalism: you don’t guess, you verify, and you help the student navigate campus efficiently. It also keeps the interaction positive and builds trust, since the student sees you’re committed to getting them correct information and pointing them to official sources.

Other approaches fall short because they shut down the conversation or provide no reliable help—refusing to answer feels dismissive, telling them to back off is disrespectful, and asking another student to answer could spread uncertainty if the information isn’t verified. The prepared, proactive route balances honesty about what you don’t know with immediate, practical assistance.