‘Hello, just circling back!’ Not responding to emails is common across higher education but bad for morale

As the academic year came to a close in May 2026, the correspondent sent an email to 12 college administrators, expressing gratitude for their efforts throughout the year. However, only a few administrators acknowledged the email. This was not the only instance where emails went unanswered. The correspondent also emailed 10 colleagues with whom they had been meeting, inviting them to plan fall events.

Only two colleagues responded, while the other eight did not. This phenomenon is not uncommon in higher education, as email has become the primary mode of communication in colleges, universities, and most workplaces. Unanswered emails can make people feel ignored or disrespected, leading to a negative campus climate. Research shows that not responding to emails can negatively impact both the sender and the broader college community.

While there may be valid reasons for not acknowledging or responding to an email, such as missing it in a spam folder, research indicates that not responding to emails can have detrimental effects. Students entering college may find email slow and outdated compared to texting, and may not understand proper email etiquette. Faculty often discuss email etiquette with students and include guidelines in their course syllabi.

However, students may expect quick responses from professors, even if they do not respond promptly themselves. The problem is not limited to faculty-student interactions, as researchers found that not responding to emails in general is a widespread issue. Faculty and staff often feel the same pressure to manage their inboxes, and unanswered emails from faculty can signal a lack of respect for their work.

To address this issue, universities can focus on promoting proper email etiquette and helping students understand the importance of timely responses.