Should I drop a class if my professor is pressuring me to do so?
November 7, 2013 1:59 PM Subscribe
One of my professors is pressuring me to drop his class because he "has concerns" about my ability to complete the course. I'm a straight A student, I missed a month of class due to an emergency hospitalization, and I need this class to graduate. Help me figure out what to do.
I'm a college senior taking a required course for my major that is only offered once per semester. I had to miss around a month of class due to an emergency hospitalization and various physical ailments that resulted from a serious sports injury. I have extensive documentation for what happened from both my doctors and my parents.
The professor in this course is the chair of the department and, as far as I can see, he is an extremely bitter and angry man who does not like me. I have reason to believe that he's racist given private remarks he has made to me in class and in office hours. That said, I need this class to graduate in May. He claims that "I'm failing" and that he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades. I can't say much to the Dean about the situation because the two are close friends; my parents are major donors to the school and could probably call in a favor, but I'd rather not file charges or do anything that would jeopardize my graduation (let alone with honors). The point is that I'm an excellent student, all of my other professors have been extremely accommodating of my illness in scheduling make-up exams and paper extensions, I've been accepted into a competitive graduate school, and my feeling is that he fully intends to give me a poor mark.
Should I drop this course and delay my graduation by a year? Should I just suck it up and try to make the best of the situation?
I'm a college senior taking a required course for my major that is only offered once per semester. I had to miss around a month of class due to an emergency hospitalization and various physical ailments that resulted from a serious sports injury. I have extensive documentation for what happened from both my doctors and my parents.
The professor in this course is the chair of the department and, as far as I can see, he is an extremely bitter and angry man who does not like me. I have reason to believe that he's racist given private remarks he has made to me in class and in office hours. That said, I need this class to graduate in May. He claims that "I'm failing" and that he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades. I can't say much to the Dean about the situation because the two are close friends; my parents are major donors to the school and could probably call in a favor, but I'd rather not file charges or do anything that would jeopardize my graduation (let alone with honors). The point is that I'm an excellent student, all of my other professors have been extremely accommodating of my illness in scheduling make-up exams and paper extensions, I've been accepted into a competitive graduate school, and my feeling is that he fully intends to give me a poor mark.
Should I drop this course and delay my graduation by a year? Should I just suck it up and try to make the best of the situation?
You say that he "claims" that you're failing, but do you have any reason to believe him? That is, have you taken tests and/or written any papers for the class that have been graded? Also, I find it odd that he is threatening to forcibly lower all your other course grades as well, regardless of how your other professors decide to grade you. Definitely seek out your ombudsman or academic adviser.
posted by scody at 2:09 PM on November 7, 2013
posted by scody at 2:09 PM on November 7, 2013
How much did you communicate with this professor about your need for accommodation during and just after your hospitalization? The times my college professor friends have had the most trouble is when students drop off the face of the Earth and then turn up with requests for leniency after having maintained radio silence. So, I'd say if you reel it in a bit and figure out where you might have made a misstep, and then try to address that with the professor, you'll be much more likely to prevail here. (Which is not to say that you're at fault for being hospitalized - just that you're trying to put out a grease fire by splashing water on it.)
Generally speaking, do not pass go, do not complain to the Dean, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT have your parents call in to complain on your behalf, and figure out how to get through to this professor that you actually *do* care about his class, that your delinquency was due to documented illness, that you're sorry if/that you dropped any particular balls in the process, and that you are confident that you can do the work to his satisfaction. If that still doesn't work, then I'd say go talk to the Ombuds and also possibly Disability Services about what the procedure is for accommodations for medical issues.
posted by jph at 2:09 PM on November 7, 2013 [5 favorites]
Generally speaking, do not pass go, do not complain to the Dean, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT have your parents call in to complain on your behalf, and figure out how to get through to this professor that you actually *do* care about his class, that your delinquency was due to documented illness, that you're sorry if/that you dropped any particular balls in the process, and that you are confident that you can do the work to his satisfaction. If that still doesn't work, then I'd say go talk to the Ombuds and also possibly Disability Services about what the procedure is for accommodations for medical issues.
posted by jph at 2:09 PM on November 7, 2013 [5 favorites]
You should definitely talk to someone else in a position of authority.
You wrote that ... he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades. I would email him, telling him that you are too upset by what you believe he said to you (quote the above) to meet him in person and discuss it further, and ask him to confirm that you've understood correctly what he said. Keep a copy of that email and any response you get to it.
posted by aroberge at 2:10 PM on November 7, 2013 [6 favorites]
You wrote that ... he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades. I would email him, telling him that you are too upset by what you believe he said to you (quote the above) to meet him in person and discuss it further, and ask him to confirm that you've understood correctly what he said. Keep a copy of that email and any response you get to it.
posted by aroberge at 2:10 PM on November 7, 2013 [6 favorites]
You need to enlist the help of a third party. If your school has an ombudsperson/ombudsman, that is the first place to go. An ombudsperson's job is to deal with exactly these kinds of dilemmas in a fair and impartial manner. If there is no ombudsperson, try talking to another faculty member - preferably one outside of this department - whom you trust to keep this matter confidential. Start low on the food chain - do not start complaining to deans or the school president or get your parents to pull strings.
You also need to keep this on a professional level at the outset. Your school ought to have a policy regarding grading and evaluation when a student has missed a substantial amount of time because of a verified medical emergency. The important thing here is to first determine your rights, and what your professor's duties and responsibilities, according to the university's protocols and guidelines. Do not personalize this matter at the outset. Whether the professor is bitter, vindictive, or even racist is, at this juncture, not relevant (though it might be down the line).
posted by googly at 2:10 PM on November 7, 2013 [6 favorites]
You also need to keep this on a professional level at the outset. Your school ought to have a policy regarding grading and evaluation when a student has missed a substantial amount of time because of a verified medical emergency. The important thing here is to first determine your rights, and what your professor's duties and responsibilities, according to the university's protocols and guidelines. Do not personalize this matter at the outset. Whether the professor is bitter, vindictive, or even racist is, at this juncture, not relevant (though it might be down the line).
posted by googly at 2:10 PM on November 7, 2013 [6 favorites]
If you haven't, you really need to talk to someone in Administration. I had to miss a chunk of a quarter due to a hospitalization when I was in graduate school, and the Dean of Students, as well as a Dean in my division, informed my professors. I didn't get A's in those courses, but I worked my ass off and I did well.
Also, documentation from your parents is not going to help. Whether he likes you, is bitter, angry, racist, or whatever is largely irrelevant at this point. Stick to finding out in what exact way you are failing and what you can do about it, and who you need to talk to to ensure that your absence is properly accommodated for.
posted by sm1tten at 2:11 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, documentation from your parents is not going to help. Whether he likes you, is bitter, angry, racist, or whatever is largely irrelevant at this point. Stick to finding out in what exact way you are failing and what you can do about it, and who you need to talk to to ensure that your absence is properly accommodated for.
posted by sm1tten at 2:11 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was in exactly the same situation myself, during my undergrad, and was able to overcome my professor's "concerns" by having the Dean of Students involved in the process. At my school the Dean of Students is separate from the President of the school, your school may be different. The Dean's office backed my absence as excused and wrote to anyone who had questions or concerns.
In the end I spent a lot of time in office hours making up work, studying, and asking questions but I stayed in the game and graduated.
I agree with some comments above about finding the root problem with this professor. If this doesn't work for you, I also agree with going to your school's disability resources department. If you meet their requirements then they will become a very powerful ally, because they can essentially enforce more time on your behalf.
posted by MansRiot at 2:12 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
In the end I spent a lot of time in office hours making up work, studying, and asking questions but I stayed in the game and graduated.
I agree with some comments above about finding the root problem with this professor. If this doesn't work for you, I also agree with going to your school's disability resources department. If you meet their requirements then they will become a very powerful ally, because they can essentially enforce more time on your behalf.
posted by MansRiot at 2:12 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hi. I teach at a college, but not your college.
You need to identify the student services and support departments that aid students in this situation. If this medical condition has been ongoing, and constitutes a temporary disability, you should (if you have not already) go to your Disability Services/Affairs office ASAP. If this does not apply, you need to identify other University advisors who aid students in this situation, or contact the chairperson of the department who oversees this instructor.
The answer to this does depend on your University. He may be required to accommodate you. However, at my institution, if a student does not declare a disability through the appropriate office, I am forbidden to provide retroactive accommodations - they cannot make up work they missed or failed before going to the correct office, only aid them after the office takes on their case. In that case, a medical withdrawal might be appropriate, so they do not fail the class, and can get a good grade later.
In some instances, taking an incomplete is recommended. In some instances, if discrimination is taking place, administrative action is required to protect the student. There are many variables here.
Please, please, PLEASE contact an advisor at your school ASAP. This is not a question for you to answer on your own, or for us to answer for you. There are services available to assist you.
posted by sock puppet of mystery! at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [26 favorites]
You need to identify the student services and support departments that aid students in this situation. If this medical condition has been ongoing, and constitutes a temporary disability, you should (if you have not already) go to your Disability Services/Affairs office ASAP. If this does not apply, you need to identify other University advisors who aid students in this situation, or contact the chairperson of the department who oversees this instructor.
The answer to this does depend on your University. He may be required to accommodate you. However, at my institution, if a student does not declare a disability through the appropriate office, I am forbidden to provide retroactive accommodations - they cannot make up work they missed or failed before going to the correct office, only aid them after the office takes on their case. In that case, a medical withdrawal might be appropriate, so they do not fail the class, and can get a good grade later.
In some instances, taking an incomplete is recommended. In some instances, if discrimination is taking place, administrative action is required to protect the student. There are many variables here.
Please, please, PLEASE contact an advisor at your school ASAP. This is not a question for you to answer on your own, or for us to answer for you. There are services available to assist you.
posted by sock puppet of mystery! at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [26 favorites]
No, I wouldn't drop the class. Frankly, you don't really need the damn grade. All you need is a D for done. If you have a 4.0 or damn near close to it, one grade in one class will NOT screw up your entire G.P.A. If you've already been accepted to grad school, then double-who-cares?
You are NOT your G.P.A. and outside of academia, no one gives one shit, let alone two what your G.P.A. was.
For sure talk to everyone who will listen. Absolutely talk to the dean, explain that he is not accomodating you for your temporary disability. Ask what accomodations would typically be made.
Document incidents of racisim, and bring them as examples.
"I just want what's fair to that end, I need to know what I need to do to pass this class. If I can't get the assistance that I'm entitled to, I will not hesitate to bring a lawsuit if what Professor Dilweed is doing is strictly based upon my race."
I have had to do things like this and even if someone is friends with his colleague, you will find that most people know that their friends are assholes and will try to make them see the light, especially if your parents are high-level contributors.
Play that card. Why the hell not?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [13 favorites]
You are NOT your G.P.A. and outside of academia, no one gives one shit, let alone two what your G.P.A. was.
For sure talk to everyone who will listen. Absolutely talk to the dean, explain that he is not accomodating you for your temporary disability. Ask what accomodations would typically be made.
Document incidents of racisim, and bring them as examples.
"I just want what's fair to that end, I need to know what I need to do to pass this class. If I can't get the assistance that I'm entitled to, I will not hesitate to bring a lawsuit if what Professor Dilweed is doing is strictly based upon my race."
I have had to do things like this and even if someone is friends with his colleague, you will find that most people know that their friends are assholes and will try to make them see the light, especially if your parents are high-level contributors.
Play that card. Why the hell not?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [13 favorites]
If your parents are major donors - like, seriously major donors, not just $1000 here and there - then you go talk to the Dean and you say something along the lines of "my family and I have always valued Posh Liberal Arts College, so I have hesitated to say anything but I am really troubled about my situation in this class."
I would suggest that you send a clarifying email to Dr. Difficult saying "As per our conversation of [date], you are urging me to drop this class because you are concerned about my ability to complete it. [Document that your other professors have been able to accommodate you and that you are an honors student.] [Something about why you would be able to do the work at a high standard despite missed class time.] I would like to look into other options for completing this class because I believe that I can complete the work at a high standard this semester." This will document the whole thing.
I assume, of course, that this is a class where you actually don't need to be there to get the benefit of the class.
Anyway, stop by the Dean's office. Talk politely to the Dean's secretary (make sure you get his actual secretary or a senior secretary, don't lay it all out to a student worker). Ask for an appointment with the Dean.
If there's money at stake, especially recurring and substantial money, the Dean will be very likely to put the arm on Dr. Difficult, absent some really academically compelling reason for you to delay your graduation.
posted by Frowner at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [9 favorites]
I would suggest that you send a clarifying email to Dr. Difficult saying "As per our conversation of [date], you are urging me to drop this class because you are concerned about my ability to complete it. [Document that your other professors have been able to accommodate you and that you are an honors student.] [Something about why you would be able to do the work at a high standard despite missed class time.] I would like to look into other options for completing this class because I believe that I can complete the work at a high standard this semester." This will document the whole thing.
I assume, of course, that this is a class where you actually don't need to be there to get the benefit of the class.
Anyway, stop by the Dean's office. Talk politely to the Dean's secretary (make sure you get his actual secretary or a senior secretary, don't lay it all out to a student worker). Ask for an appointment with the Dean.
If there's money at stake, especially recurring and substantial money, the Dean will be very likely to put the arm on Dr. Difficult, absent some really academically compelling reason for you to delay your graduation.
posted by Frowner at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2013 [9 favorites]
I would stick with the course. If you skip it this semester, you will be delayed by a year. If you take it and fail, you will be delayed by a year, but at least you would have the potential for some remedies in the grade appeal process. You are going to decide if you want to graduate in May 2014 with a less-than-great grade in this class or in May 2015 with a potentially great grade. A extra year might be worth the "with honors" distinction to you. It's your call. (I'd take the D and graduate)
I have extensive documentation for what happened from both my doctors and my parents.
This is quite likely irrelevant to the grade you receive. If you think he is racist or bitter or angry, that is certainly irrelevant. Some aspects of your grade, such as class participation, are probably going to be justifiably lowered if you weren't there to earn them. If you missed a third of the class, you have to expect that your grade is going to take a hit in areas like class participation and missed quizzes and tests. If I were teaching a class with any sort of component of class attendance or participation, I, too, would fully intend to adjust your grade in accordance with whatever attendance policy I set forth in the syllabus.
I don't know what university you attend and its appeals policy, but grade policy generally gives much deference to professors in awarding grades in the manner they see fit. It will be hard for you to be sympathetic because of a sports injury. (and even less sympathetic if you drop, "and did I mention my big time donor parents?") Your professor doesn't seem like the nicest guy in the world, but I do not know that you can get anyone to make him be.
posted by Tanizaki at 2:18 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have extensive documentation for what happened from both my doctors and my parents.
This is quite likely irrelevant to the grade you receive. If you think he is racist or bitter or angry, that is certainly irrelevant. Some aspects of your grade, such as class participation, are probably going to be justifiably lowered if you weren't there to earn them. If you missed a third of the class, you have to expect that your grade is going to take a hit in areas like class participation and missed quizzes and tests. If I were teaching a class with any sort of component of class attendance or participation, I, too, would fully intend to adjust your grade in accordance with whatever attendance policy I set forth in the syllabus.
I don't know what university you attend and its appeals policy, but grade policy generally gives much deference to professors in awarding grades in the manner they see fit. It will be hard for you to be sympathetic because of a sports injury. (and even less sympathetic if you drop, "and did I mention my big time donor parents?") Your professor doesn't seem like the nicest guy in the world, but I do not know that you can get anyone to make him be.
posted by Tanizaki at 2:18 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Some things sound a little fishy here. Clarity is required. I, personally, wouldn't get anyone else involved, nor concern yourself with his apparent bitterness, anger, or racism until these pragmatic issues are settled:
1. The first thing you should do is check the syllabus to see what the explicit policies are about missed classes and the grade break-down. If attendance is no more than 10% of the grade, or even if it's 25% (which would be high) then you could argue that you should not fail the class unless you also did badly on tests/assignments.
2. Did you miss exams and assignments/papers? If so, that might be why you're failing. Did your professor know what was going on while you were absent? If not, you have to realize that this was a serious misstep on your part, you should have informed him (along with your other professors). If he did know, then he probably would have told you how he wanted to handle it, right?
3. If you didn't inform him of your absence or the reason for it, and you missed a lot of work, and now he's pissed off, then you've put yourself in a pretty bad spot. If all of those things are true, then you need to apologize profusely for having been so irresponsible and try to work with him to set deadlines to make up the work you missed. If he's not amenable to such a course of action, then I would consider asking the Dean for help, but the situation may be out of hand already.
There's a lot of unanswered questions about what happened up until this point. Without knowing what you communicated to him and when, or whether you've missed assignments without making other arrangements with him explicitly, it's impossible for anyone to give you helpful advice. If you can answer some of these questions, we can be more helpful to you.
posted by clockzero at 2:19 PM on November 7, 2013 [17 favorites]
1. The first thing you should do is check the syllabus to see what the explicit policies are about missed classes and the grade break-down. If attendance is no more than 10% of the grade, or even if it's 25% (which would be high) then you could argue that you should not fail the class unless you also did badly on tests/assignments.
2. Did you miss exams and assignments/papers? If so, that might be why you're failing. Did your professor know what was going on while you were absent? If not, you have to realize that this was a serious misstep on your part, you should have informed him (along with your other professors). If he did know, then he probably would have told you how he wanted to handle it, right?
3. If you didn't inform him of your absence or the reason for it, and you missed a lot of work, and now he's pissed off, then you've put yourself in a pretty bad spot. If all of those things are true, then you need to apologize profusely for having been so irresponsible and try to work with him to set deadlines to make up the work you missed. If he's not amenable to such a course of action, then I would consider asking the Dean for help, but the situation may be out of hand already.
There's a lot of unanswered questions about what happened up until this point. Without knowing what you communicated to him and when, or whether you've missed assignments without making other arrangements with him explicitly, it's impossible for anyone to give you helpful advice. If you can answer some of these questions, we can be more helpful to you.
posted by clockzero at 2:19 PM on November 7, 2013 [17 favorites]
I should actually say that the Dean of Students might be the best starting point, just to dot all your i's.
Also, do you have a faculty adviser? If this is a small college where you really have a mentor among the faculty, talk to him or her. Your adviser might even be able to sit in on a meeting with whatever Senior Academic Person in your division you end up talking to. Don't take your adviser to meet with the Dean of Students, disability administrators, etc - but if this develops into an internal, faculty vs. faculty situation, you might want to bring them.
A lot will depend on your school - a university is going to have enough policies and procedures and divisions that this may be handled purely administratively, but a small school will probably have a lot of personal stuff. Don't bring out the "my parents the major donors" until you've exhausted the administrative options.
posted by Frowner at 2:19 PM on November 7, 2013
Also, do you have a faculty adviser? If this is a small college where you really have a mentor among the faculty, talk to him or her. Your adviser might even be able to sit in on a meeting with whatever Senior Academic Person in your division you end up talking to. Don't take your adviser to meet with the Dean of Students, disability administrators, etc - but if this develops into an internal, faculty vs. faculty situation, you might want to bring them.
A lot will depend on your school - a university is going to have enough policies and procedures and divisions that this may be handled purely administratively, but a small school will probably have a lot of personal stuff. Don't bring out the "my parents the major donors" until you've exhausted the administrative options.
posted by Frowner at 2:19 PM on November 7, 2013
If your parents are major donors - like, seriously major donors, not just $1000 here and there - then you go talk to the Dean and you say something along the lines of "my family and I have always valued Posh Liberal Arts College, so I have hesitated to say anything but I am really troubled about my situation in this class."
I have a lot of respect for you, Frowner, but as a college instructor, I think this advice may not be good for this person.
OP, you should try to work this out with the instructor in good faith (and it isn't clear if that has been attempted yet) before introducing what could easily be construed as a financial threat to the institution itself to a situation that sounds very tense already. That might be interpreted by reasonable people as ethically wrong and could end badly.
And one more thing, from the OP's initial comments:
my parents are major donors to the school and could probably call in a favor, but I'd rather not file charges
File charges? No offense, OP, but what are you thinking? What "charges" would you file because a professor has indicated that you're not doing well in their course, exactly?
posted by clockzero at 2:29 PM on November 7, 2013 [19 favorites]
I have a lot of respect for you, Frowner, but as a college instructor, I think this advice may not be good for this person.
OP, you should try to work this out with the instructor in good faith (and it isn't clear if that has been attempted yet) before introducing what could easily be construed as a financial threat to the institution itself to a situation that sounds very tense already. That might be interpreted by reasonable people as ethically wrong and could end badly.
And one more thing, from the OP's initial comments:
my parents are major donors to the school and could probably call in a favor, but I'd rather not file charges
File charges? No offense, OP, but what are you thinking? What "charges" would you file because a professor has indicated that you're not doing well in their course, exactly?
posted by clockzero at 2:29 PM on November 7, 2013 [19 favorites]
Does your school have an Ombudsman's office? If so, make an appointment to talk with them.
(An Ombudsman is someone who investigates complaints. I knew my college had such an office, but I had no idea what they did until well after graduation when I heard this term through government work and asked.)
posted by tckma at 2:31 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
(An Ombudsman is someone who investigates complaints. I knew my college had such an office, but I had no idea what they did until well after graduation when I heard this term through government work and asked.)
posted by tckma at 2:31 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you are a student athlete Athletics should intervene on your behalf, or tell you where to turn. If not, the Dean of Students is a good starting point.
I do think the documentation is relevant in that I would give you extra time or accommodations to make up the work you missed. Incomplete is another possibility. The truth is anything is possible, all the more so if he's the chair. Student athletes and other students get injured all the time.
Two points:
1) Why did he say you are failing? Is it due to your absences, missed work, or quality of work? Sometimes when I've been in his shoes I've forced students to drop when they have a bad attitude (I'm super-accommodating unless I think of the student the way this prof seems to think of you). Please tell us why he says you are failing.
2) Do not get your parents involved. Donors or not, they don't have a role in this process. Under federal law if you're 18 we can't even discuss your grades with your parents. The law treats you as a grownup, so handle this on your own.
3) This will get sorted. You have plenty of time. He's sending you a wakeup call.
In short, there is definitely someone in your school whose job it is to help you through. If you'd like memail me and I can look at your school's website and see who I think the right office is. I'm a professor but not yours, and I can't do anything beyond that. Good luck.
posted by vincele at 2:31 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
I do think the documentation is relevant in that I would give you extra time or accommodations to make up the work you missed. Incomplete is another possibility. The truth is anything is possible, all the more so if he's the chair. Student athletes and other students get injured all the time.
Two points:
1) Why did he say you are failing? Is it due to your absences, missed work, or quality of work? Sometimes when I've been in his shoes I've forced students to drop when they have a bad attitude (I'm super-accommodating unless I think of the student the way this prof seems to think of you). Please tell us why he says you are failing.
2) Do not get your parents involved. Donors or not, they don't have a role in this process. Under federal law if you're 18 we can't even discuss your grades with your parents. The law treats you as a grownup, so handle this on your own.
3) This will get sorted. You have plenty of time. He's sending you a wakeup call.
In short, there is definitely someone in your school whose job it is to help you through. If you'd like memail me and I can look at your school's website and see who I think the right office is. I'm a professor but not yours, and I can't do anything beyond that. Good luck.
posted by vincele at 2:31 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
OP, was the hospitalization for psychiatric reasons? I'm not sure if it changes anyone's answers, but month-long hospitalizations for medical reasons are quite unusual for college-age people. I'm just saying this might not be due to a "sports injury" where the OP was just sitting in bed with a foot up in traction and could have been communicating with professors and doing coursework while in the hospital. In which case the disability office might be of much more relevance here.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 2:32 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 2:32 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
Echoing what others have said - check your school's academic policies (student handbook, etc.) regarding absences due to illness. Likewise, consult whoever handles disability services, most likely part of Student Affairs. Check in with the Dean of Students (head of student affairs) before going to your academic dean (dean of the school).
Also - review your course syllabus. It should outline how you earn your grade. If grades are based solely on quizzes and exams, he can't mark your grade down for absence. Does the syllabus (or school policy, which would supercede the syllabus) allow for students (with excused absences due to documented illness) to make up quizzes or exams? If so, you may need to specifically point out the policy as stated in the syllabus and/or handbook and go up the chain to convince your professor that it's not optional.
Finally - instead of dropping now and waiting until next Fall to take the class again, is it possible to get approval for an independent study course in the Spring that would substitute for this specific course requirement, thus allowing you to complete your program and graduate on time?
posted by trivia genius at 2:33 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also - review your course syllabus. It should outline how you earn your grade. If grades are based solely on quizzes and exams, he can't mark your grade down for absence. Does the syllabus (or school policy, which would supercede the syllabus) allow for students (with excused absences due to documented illness) to make up quizzes or exams? If so, you may need to specifically point out the policy as stated in the syllabus and/or handbook and go up the chain to convince your professor that it's not optional.
Finally - instead of dropping now and waiting until next Fall to take the class again, is it possible to get approval for an independent study course in the Spring that would substitute for this specific course requirement, thus allowing you to complete your program and graduate on time?
posted by trivia genius at 2:33 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
OP, you should try to work this out with the instructor in good faith (and it isn't clear if that has been attempted yet) before introducing what could easily be construed as a financial threat to the institution itself to a situation that sounds very tense already. That might be interpreted by reasonable people as ethically wrong and could end badly.
Perhaps I'll clarify - OP, I'm taking you at your word that this is a school where there's already some significant corruption*. A school where a chair is threatening your other course grades (note that the OP says that the chair is planning to lower their other grades if they persist in this class) and where the Dean is so buddy-buddy with the chair that the OP feels like they can't make a complaint - that's a bad scene, but not impossible, sadly. My immediate assumption was that this was a small rich liberal arts school where there's not a lot of administration and where you can really get crushed if a faculty member doesn't like you, and where faculty members get entrenched and develop screwed up grudges. (I went to a small rich liberal arts school of just this kind and experienced, actually, two really wildly unprofessional things via a homophobic administration - things that now, working for a properly run school, make me wish I'd been more aggressive.)
But if this isn't the case, yes, clockzero is right that you shouldn't bring in the "my parents the donors" angle if you can avoid it.
I do stand by the "document all this via sending an email to Dr. Difficult" bit, though.
*I work at a large university; if you were here I'd have different advice.
posted by Frowner at 2:40 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
Perhaps I'll clarify - OP, I'm taking you at your word that this is a school where there's already some significant corruption*. A school where a chair is threatening your other course grades (note that the OP says that the chair is planning to lower their other grades if they persist in this class) and where the Dean is so buddy-buddy with the chair that the OP feels like they can't make a complaint - that's a bad scene, but not impossible, sadly. My immediate assumption was that this was a small rich liberal arts school where there's not a lot of administration and where you can really get crushed if a faculty member doesn't like you, and where faculty members get entrenched and develop screwed up grudges. (I went to a small rich liberal arts school of just this kind and experienced, actually, two really wildly unprofessional things via a homophobic administration - things that now, working for a properly run school, make me wish I'd been more aggressive.)
But if this isn't the case, yes, clockzero is right that you shouldn't bring in the "my parents the donors" angle if you can avoid it.
I do stand by the "document all this via sending an email to Dr. Difficult" bit, though.
*I work at a large university; if you were here I'd have different advice.
posted by Frowner at 2:40 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
I would stay in the class. The worst case scenario is you have to retake the class and don't graduate on time anyway.
Also... how is this one professor going to lower ALL of your course grades? Is he teaching all of your other courses as well? Not sure I understand that part.
I would talk to someone in administration about the school's policy on extended absences due to medical reasons. Some colleges will accommodate you re: missed work and others will have a policy that says you're shit out of luck and "recommend" you drop the class.
FWIW, I've never, ever passed a class where the professor recommended I drop. They were generally right that the uphill work required to pass with too expensive, especially with the added stress of recovering from illness. This is especially true of the professor didn't seem to like me anyway and wasn't really willing to work with me.
However, because you're about to graduate anyway and have already been accepted into a graduate school I would say stick it out. Check into your college's grade-replacement policy in case you do fail and need to retake; most of them will let you re take the class and replace the grade anyway.
posted by Autumn at 2:40 PM on November 7, 2013
Also... how is this one professor going to lower ALL of your course grades? Is he teaching all of your other courses as well? Not sure I understand that part.
I would talk to someone in administration about the school's policy on extended absences due to medical reasons. Some colleges will accommodate you re: missed work and others will have a policy that says you're shit out of luck and "recommend" you drop the class.
FWIW, I've never, ever passed a class where the professor recommended I drop. They were generally right that the uphill work required to pass with too expensive, especially with the added stress of recovering from illness. This is especially true of the professor didn't seem to like me anyway and wasn't really willing to work with me.
However, because you're about to graduate anyway and have already been accepted into a graduate school I would say stick it out. Check into your college's grade-replacement policy in case you do fail and need to retake; most of them will let you re take the class and replace the grade anyway.
posted by Autumn at 2:40 PM on November 7, 2013
Depending on your college, there might be a few other people to get involved.
A Dean of Students typically deals with out-of-class issues (like your hospitalization) and should be brought in as you've specified. However, do you have an Academic Dean? This could be anyone from the person who would be the provost/second in command at a larger school to someone whose title is specifically "academic dean." This is someone who is typically a level above your departmental adviser, who can make exceptions to the academic rules that say that you need to drop a class by a certain date, be readmitted after being on academic probation, etc.
Do you have an adviser (for your overall degree or major)? Let that person know.
This professor is the department chair; otherwise I would suggest getting the department chair involved. Does this professor have a division head?
Bottom line: there are ALWAYS other people involved up the chain of command. Make sure you have another advocate in your meetings with you; I'd even ask to record the meetings just to make sure you get the information correct.
posted by Madamina at 2:48 PM on November 7, 2013
A Dean of Students typically deals with out-of-class issues (like your hospitalization) and should be brought in as you've specified. However, do you have an Academic Dean? This could be anyone from the person who would be the provost/second in command at a larger school to someone whose title is specifically "academic dean." This is someone who is typically a level above your departmental adviser, who can make exceptions to the academic rules that say that you need to drop a class by a certain date, be readmitted after being on academic probation, etc.
Do you have an adviser (for your overall degree or major)? Let that person know.
This professor is the department chair; otherwise I would suggest getting the department chair involved. Does this professor have a division head?
Bottom line: there are ALWAYS other people involved up the chain of command. Make sure you have another advocate in your meetings with you; I'd even ask to record the meetings just to make sure you get the information correct.
posted by Madamina at 2:48 PM on November 7, 2013
I'm confused—do you mean the course is only offered once per year, rather than once per semester as stated? If it's only once per semester (meaning every semester?), couldn't you drop it now and take it in the spring?
If you mean once per year, then you should stay in the class, and escalate your situation to a dean or ombudsman if that's unacceptable to the professor.
I also don't understand how he could influence your other course grades. And what is your actual percentage/grade in the course currently, beyond "F"—is that information available to you? Can you clarify?
posted by limeonaire at 2:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you mean once per year, then you should stay in the class, and escalate your situation to a dean or ombudsman if that's unacceptable to the professor.
I also don't understand how he could influence your other course grades. And what is your actual percentage/grade in the course currently, beyond "F"—is that information available to you? Can you clarify?
posted by limeonaire at 2:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm going to come at this a little more cynically than a lot of other posters. I've been on the teaching side of similar situations a few times, and I think your situation may depend a lot on what your actions were in the immediate wake of your hospitalization.
If you got in touch with your professor as soon as reasonable to let him know what was up, that's one thing. For students who did that (even Severe Concussion Guy managed it), our teaching staff was prepared to bend over backwards to help. If you dropped off the face of the earth until you were on your feet and coming back to classes, welp. The one mitigating factor I can see is treehorn+bunny's speculation that the injury might have resulted in a psychiatric hospitalization where you straight-up didn't have access to ways to contact the professor.
Absolutely check your syllabus, as others have suggested. If your institution is like the ones I have experience with, your professor is bound by school policy to adhere to the syllabus when it comes to grades. But you may not like what you find. Professors I've worked with tend to have a statute of limitations in their syllabus for how long you have to notify them of issues you're having and get an exam rescheduled. Or that you can't pass the class, period, if you outright miss an exam without similar notice/rescheduling. If either of these situations is the case, you may be hard up. For students in that situation, our recommendation that they drop was intended to be a kindness -- where I taught, a withdrawal (even a late one) is less catastrophic on your transcript than an F is.
Please, for the love of little pickles, do not threaten to file charges. First of all, what in the heck for? Second, I have been involved on the teaching side of an academic situation that ended in legal threats from bigwig parents, and it made everything much worse for the student in question. We had been inclined to help her out and try to get her back into good standing, up to that point, at which point we all rolled our eyes and dug our heels in to do only the bare minimum we had to according to school and course policy.
Basically, it may be the case that the professor is legitimately annoyed with you and not inclined to go above and beyond the call when he's not strictly obligated to, and you may not have a leg to stand on there depending on the situation. That said, somehow threatening your other course grades (what the hell?) is way, way over the line and should be addressed through your school's ombudsman ASAP.
posted by dorque at 2:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [14 favorites]
If you got in touch with your professor as soon as reasonable to let him know what was up, that's one thing. For students who did that (even Severe Concussion Guy managed it), our teaching staff was prepared to bend over backwards to help. If you dropped off the face of the earth until you were on your feet and coming back to classes, welp. The one mitigating factor I can see is treehorn+bunny's speculation that the injury might have resulted in a psychiatric hospitalization where you straight-up didn't have access to ways to contact the professor.
Absolutely check your syllabus, as others have suggested. If your institution is like the ones I have experience with, your professor is bound by school policy to adhere to the syllabus when it comes to grades. But you may not like what you find. Professors I've worked with tend to have a statute of limitations in their syllabus for how long you have to notify them of issues you're having and get an exam rescheduled. Or that you can't pass the class, period, if you outright miss an exam without similar notice/rescheduling. If either of these situations is the case, you may be hard up. For students in that situation, our recommendation that they drop was intended to be a kindness -- where I taught, a withdrawal (even a late one) is less catastrophic on your transcript than an F is.
Please, for the love of little pickles, do not threaten to file charges. First of all, what in the heck for? Second, I have been involved on the teaching side of an academic situation that ended in legal threats from bigwig parents, and it made everything much worse for the student in question. We had been inclined to help her out and try to get her back into good standing, up to that point, at which point we all rolled our eyes and dug our heels in to do only the bare minimum we had to according to school and course policy.
Basically, it may be the case that the professor is legitimately annoyed with you and not inclined to go above and beyond the call when he's not strictly obligated to, and you may not have a leg to stand on there depending on the situation. That said, somehow threatening your other course grades (what the hell?) is way, way over the line and should be addressed through your school's ombudsman ASAP.
posted by dorque at 2:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [14 favorites]
Frowner's point about extant corruption is troubling. It seems like that's being said because of what the OP said here:
He claims that "I'm failing" and that he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades.
The part about the professor and Dean being close is difficult to evaluate, but it's less significant than this apparent threat. Please clarify the following for us.
Is your professor saying that he will change grades that you're getting in other courses, or is he saying that he will lower grades for various assignments in his course? "Course grades" is somewhat ambiguous here.
This professor has absolutely no right to change another professor's assigned grades because you're not doing well in his class, it doesn't matter if he's the chair of the department. I'm not even sure how that would work: the professor of a class assigns grades based on performance in that class, not on the basis of how their department chair feels about the student in question. If he's threatening you in that way, you should get that threat in writing and lodge a formal complaint on that basis alone, because that's totally, outrageously unprofessional, and would constitute an unjustifiable abuse of his power.
posted by clockzero at 3:02 PM on November 7, 2013 [5 favorites]
He claims that "I'm failing" and that he fully intends to lower my grade at the end of the semester due to the missed classes and to lower *all* of my course grades.
The part about the professor and Dean being close is difficult to evaluate, but it's less significant than this apparent threat. Please clarify the following for us.
Is your professor saying that he will change grades that you're getting in other courses, or is he saying that he will lower grades for various assignments in his course? "Course grades" is somewhat ambiguous here.
This professor has absolutely no right to change another professor's assigned grades because you're not doing well in his class, it doesn't matter if he's the chair of the department. I'm not even sure how that would work: the professor of a class assigns grades based on performance in that class, not on the basis of how their department chair feels about the student in question. If he's threatening you in that way, you should get that threat in writing and lodge a formal complaint on that basis alone, because that's totally, outrageously unprofessional, and would constitute an unjustifiable abuse of his power.
posted by clockzero at 3:02 PM on November 7, 2013 [5 favorites]
Step 1:
Contact Disability Services and the dean of students. Explain the situation as you've outlined it here, leaving out everything that has to do with your parents. Ask for advice.
Step 2:
Dear Professor X,
After our conversation the other day, I wanted you to know how sorry I am not to have fully communicated with you about my hospitalization earlier this semester. That was my mistake, and if I could, I would definitely prefer to take you up on your suggestion that I re-take the course next year.
Unfortunately, if I withdraw from the course now, I will not be able to graduate on time. I've already been accepted to the graduate program at X University, and withdrawing from your course would put that offer in jeopardy. Therefore, I really have no choice but to stay in the class. I understand this will impact my grade, but I want you to know I am absolutely committed to passing the class, and this will be my number one priority going forward. Additionally, I will provide any documentation of the illness that would be useful to you, and I will re-do any work you're willing to accept. I've also been in touch with both the disability services office and the student dean, so let me know if you'd like any confirmation or information from them.
Thank you so much for being understanding.
All best,
Anonymous.
Step 3:
Refuse any other suggestions you should drop out of the class. Show up every day. Work your ass off and behave impeccably. Take pride in your work ethic and your stubbornness.
Step 4:
Document all communication between you and the professor. Save every email, and if you meet with him in person, take notes immediately afterwards. If he does anything even remotely shady, especially involving even the slightest hint of racism, forward that shit to the Dean.
Step 5:
Pass the class.
Step 6:
Graduate. Be happy. Move on with your life.
posted by pretentious illiterate at 3:17 PM on November 7, 2013 [10 favorites]
Contact Disability Services and the dean of students. Explain the situation as you've outlined it here, leaving out everything that has to do with your parents. Ask for advice.
Step 2:
Dear Professor X,
After our conversation the other day, I wanted you to know how sorry I am not to have fully communicated with you about my hospitalization earlier this semester. That was my mistake, and if I could, I would definitely prefer to take you up on your suggestion that I re-take the course next year.
Unfortunately, if I withdraw from the course now, I will not be able to graduate on time. I've already been accepted to the graduate program at X University, and withdrawing from your course would put that offer in jeopardy. Therefore, I really have no choice but to stay in the class. I understand this will impact my grade, but I want you to know I am absolutely committed to passing the class, and this will be my number one priority going forward. Additionally, I will provide any documentation of the illness that would be useful to you, and I will re-do any work you're willing to accept. I've also been in touch with both the disability services office and the student dean, so let me know if you'd like any confirmation or information from them.
Thank you so much for being understanding.
All best,
Anonymous.
Step 3:
Refuse any other suggestions you should drop out of the class. Show up every day. Work your ass off and behave impeccably. Take pride in your work ethic and your stubbornness.
Step 4:
Document all communication between you and the professor. Save every email, and if you meet with him in person, take notes immediately afterwards. If he does anything even remotely shady, especially involving even the slightest hint of racism, forward that shit to the Dean.
Step 5:
Pass the class.
Step 6:
Graduate. Be happy. Move on with your life.
posted by pretentious illiterate at 3:17 PM on November 7, 2013 [10 favorites]
If you fail, can't you take the class again next semester? Have you asked the prof what you need to do to pass? Have you talked to your folks about the situation?
posted by kat518 at 3:21 PM on November 7, 2013
posted by kat518 at 3:21 PM on November 7, 2013
Some anecdata - I both played a college sport and was a science major. There's not a whole lot of population overlap between those two things. I ran into problems, especially when I was taking senior level/graduate courses in my major, with professors who would have issues with the fact that I would have to miss classes/tests in order to travel across the country 'for a game'.
One math professor in particular refused to give me a makeup midterm for a test that I'd told her on the first week of class would be a problem. When I had the athletic department intervene (via a Dean, although I didn't make that decision) she gave me a makeup test that math graduate student friends of mine couldn't complete on a day's timescale, much less the hour allotted. The end result was I got a C in the class, which at that point knocked me out of contention for valedictorian but didn't really lower my GPA all that much. Or affect my ability to go to graduate school when I decided to. In retrospect I can see that if I'd needed the grade I should have just dropped the class and taken it later. But the C didn't kill me that much for what I wanted to do.
Now I'm a professor and I have several colleagues that are completely anti-athletics. So I can see the same behavior from the other side. Academics, especially the ones with tenure, are often not reasonable people.
tl/dr: My experience says that you can't win this. Walk away or take the hit.
posted by overhauser at 3:39 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
One math professor in particular refused to give me a makeup midterm for a test that I'd told her on the first week of class would be a problem. When I had the athletic department intervene (via a Dean, although I didn't make that decision) she gave me a makeup test that math graduate student friends of mine couldn't complete on a day's timescale, much less the hour allotted. The end result was I got a C in the class, which at that point knocked me out of contention for valedictorian but didn't really lower my GPA all that much. Or affect my ability to go to graduate school when I decided to. In retrospect I can see that if I'd needed the grade I should have just dropped the class and taken it later. But the C didn't kill me that much for what I wanted to do.
Now I'm a professor and I have several colleagues that are completely anti-athletics. So I can see the same behavior from the other side. Academics, especially the ones with tenure, are often not reasonable people.
tl/dr: My experience says that you can't win this. Walk away or take the hit.
posted by overhauser at 3:39 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
Ombuds office right away, and keep records of all of your interactions with this person going forward. Save every email, communicate in writing whenever possible, and take notes (visibly) if you meet in person. Consider sending follow up emails if you have a conversation in person; many posters above have given you good drafts for how to do so.
If your other professors are being accommodating, is there one of them you trust enough to ask for advice? Perhaps one who wrote rec letters for you for grad school?
Also, yes, be sure your work in the class is impeccable. Make up what work you can as soon as you can. Whatever you do, keep going to class and doing the work going forward; even if you do end up dropping the course or taking an incomplete, it'll be that much less you have to learn anew next time around. (Also, if you're going to gradschool... nobody gives a crap about your undergrad grades, really. Just finish.)
posted by nat at 3:55 PM on November 7, 2013
If your other professors are being accommodating, is there one of them you trust enough to ask for advice? Perhaps one who wrote rec letters for you for grad school?
Also, yes, be sure your work in the class is impeccable. Make up what work you can as soon as you can. Whatever you do, keep going to class and doing the work going forward; even if you do end up dropping the course or taking an incomplete, it'll be that much less you have to learn anew next time around. (Also, if you're going to gradschool... nobody gives a crap about your undergrad grades, really. Just finish.)
posted by nat at 3:55 PM on November 7, 2013
Another professor here. At my college, we have 3 weeks of class left, plus final exams. I would consider a student who had missed a month of class and was currently failing to have very little chance of catching up in time to pass the class. Depending on the circumstances, I might consider an incomplete, but at my college, incompletes are generally considered only for students who have completed most of the semester and have problems at the very end of the semester.
I have a student who had a baby in the middle of this semester. She (obviously) let me know beforehand, kept up with the work to the best of her ability while out of class, kept me posted about her recovery, and worked hard to make up labs and exams when she came back. Some of this was outside of the guidelines in my syllabus, but I was glad to work with her because she was clearly trying hard to stay in the class. In other words, it is possible to deal with a medical absence in the middle of the semester, but I am gathering from your question that you did not do these things.
What evidence can you bring that you informed the college and professor of your absence? How does the procedure you followed in informing them match with the college and syllabus guidelines? What evidence can you bring that you tried to keep up while out of class? What evidence can you bring of the work you have done to catch up since you have been back? These are the questions a Dean of Students, Academic Dean, or Ombudsperson will ask. Consider them carefully.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [7 favorites]
I have a student who had a baby in the middle of this semester. She (obviously) let me know beforehand, kept up with the work to the best of her ability while out of class, kept me posted about her recovery, and worked hard to make up labs and exams when she came back. Some of this was outside of the guidelines in my syllabus, but I was glad to work with her because she was clearly trying hard to stay in the class. In other words, it is possible to deal with a medical absence in the middle of the semester, but I am gathering from your question that you did not do these things.
What evidence can you bring that you informed the college and professor of your absence? How does the procedure you followed in informing them match with the college and syllabus guidelines? What evidence can you bring that you tried to keep up while out of class? What evidence can you bring of the work you have done to catch up since you have been back? These are the questions a Dean of Students, Academic Dean, or Ombudsperson will ask. Consider them carefully.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:59 PM on November 7, 2013 [7 favorites]
My edit window is long gone, but I meant to type that the uphill battle to pass the class was too extensive.
posted by Autumn at 4:04 PM on November 7, 2013
posted by Autumn at 4:04 PM on November 7, 2013
"File charges? No offense, OP, but what are you thinking? What "charges" would you file because a professor has indicated that you're not doing well in their course, exactly?"
I assume that means "formal complaints," rather than "criminal charges."
"I'm not sure if it changes anyone's answers, but month-long hospitalizations for medical reasons are quite unusual for college-age people. I'm just saying this might not be due to a "sports injury" where the OP was just sitting in bed with a foot up in traction and could have been communicating with professors and doing coursework while in the hospital."
When I broke my leg, I was in the hospital for ten days unable to communicate except by third party, then was drugged out of my gourd for the next two and a half weeks or so. A serious broken bone can lay you up for that long.
posted by klangklangston at 5:16 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
I assume that means "formal complaints," rather than "criminal charges."
"I'm not sure if it changes anyone's answers, but month-long hospitalizations for medical reasons are quite unusual for college-age people. I'm just saying this might not be due to a "sports injury" where the OP was just sitting in bed with a foot up in traction and could have been communicating with professors and doing coursework while in the hospital."
When I broke my leg, I was in the hospital for ten days unable to communicate except by third party, then was drugged out of my gourd for the next two and a half weeks or so. A serious broken bone can lay you up for that long.
posted by klangklangston at 5:16 PM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]
So totally random, probably won't work, but nonetheless worth exploring option: can you take the course either next semester or next summer or maybe even online(?) at another school and then transfer the credits?
It works for someone I know. He failed a class only offered once a year that was a pre req for many other classes. He managed to take the course in his hometown small college (might have even been community college) over the summer, transferred the credits to his big state school and was able to stay on track with his degree.
posted by whoaali at 5:29 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
It works for someone I know. He failed a class only offered once a year that was a pre req for many other classes. He managed to take the course in his hometown small college (might have even been community college) over the summer, transferred the credits to his big state school and was able to stay on track with his degree.
posted by whoaali at 5:29 PM on November 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
1. The racist stuff is out of bounds and breaks Federal law. I would look into how you could get this guy reported.
2. This is up to you, but missing a month of class is a big deal. Hopefully I am never ever a racist shithead about it, but I would suggest to a student that they drop the course, but get a medical something or another that allows them to apply the credit hours to another semester.
3. What does the syllabus say? If you submit the work, will you get credit, as per the syllabus? Under the ADA, if you need some accommodation because of your medical issues you should get it.
I dunno. If I was financially comfortable and waiting a year to graduate was a downer but didn't hurt me in any practical way, I would drop the class and take it with somebody else. If I was on fire to graduate, well, I would approach the college counseling folks and see how to approach it. I would do that anyway, but I guess the question is, if you do have to kiss up to this poor excuse of a human being, how do you do that and maintain your rights?
posted by angrycat at 6:01 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
2. This is up to you, but missing a month of class is a big deal. Hopefully I am never ever a racist shithead about it, but I would suggest to a student that they drop the course, but get a medical something or another that allows them to apply the credit hours to another semester.
3. What does the syllabus say? If you submit the work, will you get credit, as per the syllabus? Under the ADA, if you need some accommodation because of your medical issues you should get it.
I dunno. If I was financially comfortable and waiting a year to graduate was a downer but didn't hurt me in any practical way, I would drop the class and take it with somebody else. If I was on fire to graduate, well, I would approach the college counseling folks and see how to approach it. I would do that anyway, but I guess the question is, if you do have to kiss up to this poor excuse of a human being, how do you do that and maintain your rights?
posted by angrycat at 6:01 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
and yeah, I wouldn't escalate if you can help it. having parents throwing elbows around is probably a bad move if this guy is already embittered and sufficiently empowered. and yeah, the racism stuff aside, i usually have a student a semester who disappears for several weeks and then comes back without a good excuse for their lack of communication. it's not good, and you should have your ducks in a row in terms of whether or not you were in a place/ too fucked up to communicate.
posted by angrycat at 6:11 PM on November 7, 2013
posted by angrycat at 6:11 PM on November 7, 2013
I urge you not to escalate this in a way that could be seen as confrontational. You have a lot to lose here and, if the professor is at all politically competent, you will lose.
First, your allegations of racism will almost be dismissed unless you can document it with written evidence (eg, an email where the professor used racial slurs). Unfortunately, a lot of people make up allegations when they're facing a negative outcome. You have to have hard proof if you don't want to be seen in this way. (nb, I know a lawyer whose entire job is using video evidence to get HUNDREDS of these false allegations dismissed every year).
Second, it's hard to imagine a professor going out of his way to ruin your life by "changing" your grades and telling you ahead of time. What's the upside for him? Even if he hated you, it would be a lot easier to downgrade some of your assignments and just give you an F. Telling you would be incredibly stupid if there wasn't a reasonable explanation for this.
Third, getting your parents involved will make your situation much worse, not better. If your parents are MAJOR donors, the professor will have already told the dean what is about to transpire. A good administration will never interfere in a professor's grading decisions, but a savvy professor will always give the higher ups if there's a potential financial problem on the horizon (eg, if you're about to fail the school's quarterback before the bowl game). In fact, if your parents even called FERPA laws would force both the dean and professor to confirm that you were enrolled in the class, but would legally bind them from not discussing your grades. It's illegal to discuss grades with a parent.
To be honest: the professor, asshole though they may be, seems to have given you an out. He has offered to let you drop the class which, I'm betting, is probably what school policy says should happen for an excused month-long absence. Take him up on it. Drop the class, defer grad school for one year, and finish college by taking the high road.
posted by eisenkr at 10:38 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
First, your allegations of racism will almost be dismissed unless you can document it with written evidence (eg, an email where the professor used racial slurs). Unfortunately, a lot of people make up allegations when they're facing a negative outcome. You have to have hard proof if you don't want to be seen in this way. (nb, I know a lawyer whose entire job is using video evidence to get HUNDREDS of these false allegations dismissed every year).
Second, it's hard to imagine a professor going out of his way to ruin your life by "changing" your grades and telling you ahead of time. What's the upside for him? Even if he hated you, it would be a lot easier to downgrade some of your assignments and just give you an F. Telling you would be incredibly stupid if there wasn't a reasonable explanation for this.
Third, getting your parents involved will make your situation much worse, not better. If your parents are MAJOR donors, the professor will have already told the dean what is about to transpire. A good administration will never interfere in a professor's grading decisions, but a savvy professor will always give the higher ups if there's a potential financial problem on the horizon (eg, if you're about to fail the school's quarterback before the bowl game). In fact, if your parents even called FERPA laws would force both the dean and professor to confirm that you were enrolled in the class, but would legally bind them from not discussing your grades. It's illegal to discuss grades with a parent.
To be honest: the professor, asshole though they may be, seems to have given you an out. He has offered to let you drop the class which, I'm betting, is probably what school policy says should happen for an excused month-long absence. Take him up on it. Drop the class, defer grad school for one year, and finish college by taking the high road.
posted by eisenkr at 10:38 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
" my parents are major donors to the school and could probably call in a favor, but I'd rather not file charges or do anything that would jeopardize my graduation (let alone with honors)."
If your parents indeed are major donors it is unlikely that the school will want to risk losing future donations from them. If your parents call the dean just as "concerned parents" - not implying any attempts to punish the school or anything, and they just ask him what it is that might cause you to get a poor grade (whether it's tests, unnattendance, etc) at the very least the Dean will become aware that the child of a major donor is at risk of failing this course. This may be enough to get him to look into what's going on in the course and try to convince this professor to lay off a bit. Also as long as your parents say things right it should make it look like you merely came to them concerned that you may not be able to pass- not that you blamed the professor.
posted by manderin at 12:18 AM on November 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
If your parents indeed are major donors it is unlikely that the school will want to risk losing future donations from them. If your parents call the dean just as "concerned parents" - not implying any attempts to punish the school or anything, and they just ask him what it is that might cause you to get a poor grade (whether it's tests, unnattendance, etc) at the very least the Dean will become aware that the child of a major donor is at risk of failing this course. This may be enough to get him to look into what's going on in the course and try to convince this professor to lay off a bit. Also as long as your parents say things right it should make it look like you merely came to them concerned that you may not be able to pass- not that you blamed the professor.
posted by manderin at 12:18 AM on November 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am startled that people here are suggesting you play the major donor card. That's just immoral: why should you get special treatment because your parents are wealthy? Yuck.
Play by the rules. Eisenkr is essentially right: do not turn this into a war. Your account seems coloured by your dislike of the professor and so I would start by being sure of your facts: e-mail the professor to say you're not sure you understood what he was advising you to do, and ask him to recap. Then check your syllabus, go to the Dean of Students/Ombusdperson, etc. But don't go in saying "this professor is racist and is threatening me and I am considering filing charges." Just tell them your situation --mainly, that you've been accepted to grad school and so you want to graduate this year-- and ask for their advice about what to do.
Good luck.
posted by Susan PG at 3:35 AM on November 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
Play by the rules. Eisenkr is essentially right: do not turn this into a war. Your account seems coloured by your dislike of the professor and so I would start by being sure of your facts: e-mail the professor to say you're not sure you understood what he was advising you to do, and ask him to recap. Then check your syllabus, go to the Dean of Students/Ombusdperson, etc. But don't go in saying "this professor is racist and is threatening me and I am considering filing charges." Just tell them your situation --mainly, that you've been accepted to grad school and so you want to graduate this year-- and ask for their advice about what to do.
Good luck.
posted by Susan PG at 3:35 AM on November 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
I just wanted to drop in a reminder to make sure you think through all the options. One of my majors had a capstone senior seminar requirement with a faculty member with whom I didn't happen to get along very we'll. So I dropped the course at his recommendation in the first week.
However, our department also had an alternative process where you could do an independent study instead of taking the senior seminar. So I did that instead, with another faculty member as mentor. As far as I know, I was the only one of about 20 majors my year that took that option. I got an A.
posted by Jahaza at 5:30 AM on November 8, 2013
However, our department also had an alternative process where you could do an independent study instead of taking the senior seminar. So I did that instead, with another faculty member as mentor. As far as I know, I was the only one of about 20 majors my year that took that option. I got an A.
posted by Jahaza at 5:30 AM on November 8, 2013
Invoking the names of your donor parents would be morally execrable. As a professor and administrator, I would do whatever I could to see that such tactics would fail.
posted by reverend cuttle at 11:16 AM on November 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by reverend cuttle at 11:16 AM on November 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
« Older Should I fight to get my dad into a better rehab... | A guitar and a bottleneck. Amplifier optional. Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 2:01 PM on November 7, 2013 [22 favorites]