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Problem with college professor...am I in the right?
billwill
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Alright, so I took this ridiculously easy college class this semester. I took the final last Tuesday, and she just posted my final grade for the course, which is a B+. I'm thinking what the fuck?, since I had a guaranteed A- in my head. This is the email I sent her:
I figure this should be fixed easily...I seem to be correct. A few minutes ago, however, I received this email from her:
Firstly, I only missed two days, and I know this for sure. Thats not the issue though. The problem comes from the fact that the fifteen points that were deducted is what makes the difference between an A and a B. Here is the section from her syllabus that she says I am confused on:
This seems to clearly state to me that you get three free passes without being docked points. Am I correct in my interpretation? If so, whats the best way to advance with this?
Professor Douche,
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| I'm a little confused about my final grade. It says I have a B+, but I added up all the points myself and I came out to a 92.8%.
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| There is the midterm, which is worth 50 points, the paper (25), the presentation (25), the final exam (50), and participation (100). This comes out to a total of 250 points.
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| I got 50 points on the midterm, a B+ on the paper (which would be 22 points), 23 points on the presentation, 37 on the final exam, and 100 on the participation (I only used two absences out of the allotted three, and I was involved in every class period).
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| Anyway, when you add those up, it comes out to 232 out of 250 points, which should be a 92.8%, not a B+.
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| Can you please explain why the final grade is a B+?
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| Thanks,
| BillWill
|
| I'm a little confused about my final grade. It says I have a B+, but I added up all the points myself and I came out to a 92.8%.
|
| There is the midterm, which is worth 50 points, the paper (25), the presentation (25), the final exam (50), and participation (100). This comes out to a total of 250 points.
|
| I got 50 points on the midterm, a B+ on the paper (which would be 22 points), 23 points on the presentation, 37 on the final exam, and 100 on the participation (I only used two absences out of the allotted three, and I was involved in every class period).
|
| Anyway, when you add those up, it comes out to 232 out of 250 points, which should be a 92.8%, not a B+.
|
| Can you please explain why the final grade is a B+?
|
| Thanks,
| BillWill
I figure this should be fixed easily...I seem to be correct. A few minutes ago, however, I received this email from her:
Hi BillWill,
Below is what I have recorded for you (everything was consistent with your records except the participation points and your final exam score):
Presentation: 23/25
Paper: 22/25
Midterm: 50/50
Final: 36/50
You stated 37 points but on webcampus it is recorded as 36 points.
Participation: 85/100
My records show that you were absent a total of four times throughout the semester. No points were awarded for November 24th, so I only counted three absences against your grade. In the syllabus it states that students should make-up their absences to earn their points. I did not receive any make-up homework from you.
Students are allowed three absences without being docked additional points. For every absence over three times, students are docked 5 points in addition to their participation points. That is why I stressed the importance of making-up assignments. You did not exceed the three absences because I excused you for the November 24th absence since no points were awarded that day. I think this is where you are getting confused... the allotted three absences means students can miss three times without being penalized, but this does not excuse them from making-up the assignments.
Let me know if you need anything else clarified.
Thank you,
Douche
Below is what I have recorded for you (everything was consistent with your records except the participation points and your final exam score):
Presentation: 23/25
Paper: 22/25
Midterm: 50/50
Final: 36/50
You stated 37 points but on webcampus it is recorded as 36 points.
Participation: 85/100
My records show that you were absent a total of four times throughout the semester. No points were awarded for November 24th, so I only counted three absences against your grade. In the syllabus it states that students should make-up their absences to earn their points. I did not receive any make-up homework from you.
Students are allowed three absences without being docked additional points. For every absence over three times, students are docked 5 points in addition to their participation points. That is why I stressed the importance of making-up assignments. You did not exceed the three absences because I excused you for the November 24th absence since no points were awarded that day. I think this is where you are getting confused... the allotted three absences means students can miss three times without being penalized, but this does not excuse them from making-up the assignments.
Let me know if you need anything else clarified.
Thank you,
Douche
Firstly, I only missed two days, and I know this for sure. Thats not the issue though. The problem comes from the fact that the fifteen points that were deducted is what makes the difference between an A and a B. Here is the section from her syllabus that she says I am confused on:
For participation points, students will be given a class activity worth 5 points. Class activities may range from current events, quizzes, case studies, and other various activities. These activities will be completed in class. Class activities will be a total of 100 points for this semester.
In case of an absence, contact the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements to make-up the class activity. Students will be given one week from the date of absence to make up the assignment. If the class acitivity can not be done at home, then an essay topic may be assigned in its place. Students are allowed three absences without being docked points. Students will be deducted 5 points for each absence beyond the three absences allowed.
In case of an absence, contact the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements to make-up the class activity. Students will be given one week from the date of absence to make up the assignment. If the class acitivity can not be done at home, then an essay topic may be assigned in its place. Students are allowed three absences without being docked points. Students will be deducted 5 points for each absence beyond the three absences allowed.
This seems to clearly state to me that you get three free passes without being docked points. Am I correct in my interpretation? If so, whats the best way to advance with this?
I hate you and you hate me.
billwill on
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Posts
This reads to me that you have to make up the homework or you lose the points for that and in addition if you're absent more than 3 times you lose an additional 5 points for every absence.
edit: Even if you can argue that the above isn't entirely clear, I would guess that when the teacher went over the syllabus she clarified it and if you had any questions you probably should have asked them then.
Yeah the attendance thing would be pointless, since I can't prove that it was only two days.
I guess I'll try and see if I can turn in the make up assignments by Tuesday since there was a misunderstanding. You have to admit its poorly worded though, right?
Forced attendance in college is bullshit, but oh well. Sorry man.
As a student and also a former teacher, I can tell you that in any institution later than high school where you can BS your way out of almost anything, it is a student's responsibility not only to read the syllabus, but also to make sure they understand what's on it. I've sat in many a classroom and watched students cry about the syllabus at the end of the term, and it just seems like a ridiculous ploy for points to me. I don't think I've ever seen a teacher give in to it because it was in front of the students in writing all term and they could have sought clarification at any time. So I don't really think you're in the right or going to win here.
My advice to you is to do what I do: If you ever need to miss a class, especially one where the teacher takes attendance and there's an assignment every day, email your teacher that day explaining that you're sorry for your absence in class (X emergency came up/I was in a car accident/I had the plague), asking what you missed, and if there's any work you can make up. It will help you know where you stand with the work from the day, and give you something to point to if you need it later.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
However, all my classes have involved the tutors going through everything in the first lecture of term, so I'd be surprised if this topic was not addressed then. Best of luck.
That's silly. College is very much learning how to deal with professors and especially administration not holding up their end of a bargain.
having seen it from the other end, students are also whining fucking maggots about half the time. Even, perhaps especially, "good" students, who tend to be anal-retentive and grades obsessed.
If you want this salvaged, op, you need to come up with a good reason why, and take the blame on yourself, not passive-aggressively target her "wording" or politely suggest she change her syllabus. Begging favors from someone in a position of authority is not a good time to get pedantic. Tell her you misread the thing, your housing/scholarship/lack of paternal beatings centers on this particular grade (which I'm assuming it does or you wouldn't care about this in the first place) and could you please turn the makeup homeworks in now? Mention that you do not and will not make a habit out of this and you understand that the end of term sucks for her. You might also mention that you were enjoying the class so much you didn't think participation was an area you needed to worry about, unless that's totally inconsistent with your behavior and would therefore be morbid ass-kissing.
For bonus points, do the homework tonight and have it in hand when you ask if possible.
I host a podcast about movies.
This assumes of course you can get them/do them in a very timely fashion. (re: Today)
Fundamentally though I don't see how it's worth that much to you. The difference between a B+ and an A- in terms of GPA is miniscule, especially since it sounds like this was an out-of-major course you took to fill a req up.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
On a personal note, I think it's crazy to ask for assignments every day in a college class.
Truth.
The way to work with professors is not to make excuses and not to treat them like they're out to fuck you over. If you've never graded uni work before, you would be astonished at the bullshit your fellow classmates will come up with to try and get out of work or get higher grades. It is these people that are fucking it up for you, it becomes almost impossible to tell the lies from the truth, which just galvanizes the professor to taking a hard line against everyone.
The way I intend to teach is basically set out in the first class "The Law". Any question about "The Law" are to be asked then, otherwise "The Law" is to be interpreted as I originally thought it was. My hope is that I can then refer all the bullshitters to that, and only have honest people talking to me. I know this is probably a naive hope.
The way to work with professors is not to go in there saying "you're a douche", but to offer solutions that present good faith. This separates you from the liars. Asking to make up the work is a good start.
I read it as having activities in class every day, not as having homework.
If it doesn't cost you a passing grade, I'd say it's better to hold your tongue and take what you got. Even if you had right entirely on your side, going up against a tenured professor on grades is a bitch.
That being said, it's always a good idea to ask before about misunderstandings long before it gets to this point. With a class like this where attendance is worth so much of your mark (40%), you really need to get permission before missing any of them.
And no, she's not on tenure. She's a GA.
She's incredibly hot, so I can't stay mad at her. Gave me something to look at during class, and for that I am grateful. Its probably the only reason I didn't miss more than three classes.
For your sake I really hope she doesn't read PA. Man, this thread could become epic pretty instantly.
It is a little awkward phrasing. I'd add the bolded words to clear it up.
As for your situation, when she replies to your email, just be apologetic and offer to do whatever you can to make it up. :winky:
One can only hope.
I agree with the general consensus here that at the end of the day you are left to the discretion of the professor, and it probably isn't in anybody's interest to make a big issue out of this when it is the difference between a B+ and A- at stake. Now, if you're like me and it was the difference between a 58% and a 60%, when there were only two assignments, both written and subjectively graded, in the entire course - THAT'S when you start bringing the wrath of God down on the professor, the university, your local state and federal representatives (whom I knew well enough to get them to make a few phone calls), and whoever else can pull the strings. The prof in my case was obstinate, and at the end of the day I just got the grade removed from my transcript by the head of department so I would go away, and had to take another class. But I also was instrumental in keeping the professor from being kept on. Glorious retribution...
If you are that worried about your grade, you should be able to complain that the syllabus didn't make clear that you needed to do any make-up work for those first three absences.
sure i made mistakes in adding or whatnot, which if pointed out to me i would happily change. But for someone who just felt entitled. they get the brush off. If a teacher has daily assignments that you hand in for points, and you missed class, doesn't it seem like common sense that you would still need to hand in the assignment. I would have denied you so hard for not having read the sylabus at the start of the class.
So you did terribly in the class and because of that you raised hell and somehow got the professor in trouble. Am I missing something here?
If you're not planning on doing really well at something, make sure you know somebody important?