I am a female grad student and I switched schools to get away from a horrid professor. Even though I complained to the dept chair at the old school nothing was done. So I left. Now this professor feels he has the upper hand I guess, so he is bad mouthing me in the profession, at conferences, and to his (and my) colleagues. People seem to be intimidated by him. He is self-serving man who feeds on the energy of the young that surround him. Filled with envy and hatred, he has nothing to lose by causing scandal and gossip--in fact, he seems to court it. How shall I proceed?
Head down and mouth shut?
2007-02-01 10:11:38 · 6 answers · asked by Emily A 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I can relate, the one and only time I have ever complained about a Prof., it was dismissed. I only have myself to blame, because I kept my complaint clean, blaming it on communication problems(which of course there were, among other things) but I failed to mention he was a womanizing pig! Not that it would of done any good, most (chairs, deans and Prof's) don't have the balls to fire or go up against one of their own. They give all these rights to students, for what? For the student to be classified as "irate", with a stigma of being a trouble maker. Give me a break! These so called Prof.'s climb the ladder at the expense of their students. Sure, you may find a rare gem, that may step in and help, but It usualy comes down to one famous line... " I agree with you , so and so does not have the best reputation, but your spinning your wheels for nothing, becasue he/she can't be touched", and you know for d-m sure, they don't want to be the one to take the pole out of their a--! Let's see I had to W from Chem.,blow more $ and graduate late, just to retake it and get an A, now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the W class was taught by an a--------! Because how the hell do you explain the A?, and no I wasn't doing the teacher.(lol) I can laugh about it now, as you will, but it will always hit a soar spot!
At least take some solice in my answer knowing, they do know the bad seeds of the bunch! And the gossip , well your right, it does go around, I heard the remarks...and some of the stupid as-es liston. I wasn't taken seriously becasue of my 2.5 average at their school, meanwhile I was holding a 3.8 @the university, and working 50+ hours. Not to mention my personal status, which I won't get into, but they held that against me, as well, for which they can go to he--! My private life is off limits! By the way I'm a health science student, with a keen interest in the law. I just may switch majors and come back as an attorney(LOL) between the college kids and baby boomers back in school these days, I may just make more $ teaching a lesson, to these a------, not to mention, I love a good fight! Don't you dear keep your head down, and your mouth shut
Emily, we have come along way since then!
Good luck at grad school.
2007-02-01 16:51:27 · answer #1 · answered by Aces 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of nightmare folks like this in every field. Everyone knows who they are, and no one takes their blathering seriously. As a matter of fact, they are regarded with contempt.
Any professor who would expend energy (and hot air) by badmouthing a former graduate student would be regarded by his peers as a jerk.
I would bet that peers in his field are assuming he is probably either:
1) trying to cover his butt in regard to an upcoming sexual harassment charge or
2) still wounded that a student rejected his advances or
3) both.
You need not dignify his unprofessional behavior with any sort of response. Just keep doing your own work, find some (possibly female) mentors, and proceed. Do not let this miserable excuse for a professor interfere with your life or work in any way.
One thing you can do, however, is to speak to a current trusted (preferably tenured) mentor, and let that professor know of your concern. Let him or her deal with it. You are a graduate student, and are as yet unable to deal with the big dogs on their own turf without risk to yourself.
I wish you every success.
2007-02-01 10:23:05 · answer #2 · answered by X 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is slander / defamation. Slander / defamation is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation.
His comments are causing you an adverse effect since it can effect your job and your way of life. Talk to him about that and talk to a lawyer. While he may be "self-serving", a pending lawsuit will keep him in check.
2007-02-01 10:17:15 · answer #3 · answered by flbtigger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that's funny. Pretty much the exact same thing happened to me. Did you go to MSU?
I switched to completely different topic in the same field - no one from the different fields talk to each other, they don't have much in common besides needing the same skill set. You might want to try that - worked great for me.
2007-02-01 11:41:25 · answer #4 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough decision, he could be hurting your future career opportunities with his politicking. Unless you can ignore it and allow your work to speak for itself, I'd give thought to sending the dean a registered, notarized letter asking him to address the situation.
2007-02-01 10:18:51 · answer #5 · answered by tain 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sue'n him for Harassment could always help bring his ego down, and give him a bad reputation.
2007-02-01 10:23:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋