Our professor informed us that if we complete our third exam with a B average, we are excused from the Final. I finished with a B average, but he has informed that I have to take the Final anyway because of too many absences. Firstly, I had several absences due to medical procedures, which I gave him proof of and which he made photocopies of for his records. With those squared away as excused absences, I would not be exceeding absences. Secondly, he has made out as if he is only adhering to the department's policy, but nowhere in the department's policy does it say anything that would lead him to have to force me to take the Final. Third, he tells me that the policy doesn't distinguish between excused and unexcused absences... so why did he insist on proof of my medical procedures so that they would be excused if they really aren't? I don't get it and I worked very hard to maintain a B average in this class. I feel that I'm being dealt with unfairly. Am I right or wrong?
2007-04-28 14:13:35 · 11 answers · asked by Blackadder 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I have taken all three exams in his class and worked damned hard on every one of them... I haven't missed any exam or assignment in that class... I am finishing with a B average...
2007-04-28 14:21:41 · update #1
I am a professor and I would never excuse a student from an exam. My advice to you is to go to the dean and file a formal complaint. Excused absences are valid. It is time for this professor to not be invited back next semester.
2007-04-28 14:18:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
First of all, welcome to the real world. Excused absences are no excuse. All this garbage about excused and unexcused is just hogwash, because the purpose of an absence policy is to say that you haven't been around enough to learn anything. He simply doesn't want to pass you on if you're clueless. The point of education is that you're supposed to learn stuff. If you have just figured out how to "game" the system, it's the job of every self-respecting prof to try to stop you. So, yes, you're wrong. It doesn't matter whether you have an excuse or not. Excuses are no excuse. You need to get over that whole attitude...it makes you sound like you're still in high school.
He was wrong to promise you that he would let you skip the Final, but you didn't say if the absence policy was noted in the syllabus or something. If it was, or if he'd said something about that too, then you don't have a leg to stand on. And, as rarely as you've been to class, I doubt if you know what the policies of the class are anyway.
2007-04-28 14:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by skip742 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been in a similar situation and I have kept a good grades, not skipped any days for any reason and still had to take the final tests anyway. The reason I was given however was that the school administration decided that the teachers had not given enough tests during the semester so, all of us who had good grades, ended up having to take it anyway.
As harsh as it may sound, the fact is that it does not matter whether you are right or wrong. You have to take the exam however unfair it may seem because he is the professor and he is the one who chooses if your excuses are valid or unless there's a policy that CLEARLY states otherwise. Then and only then, can you argue for not taking the exam.
I mean normally you WOULD have to take the exam regardless of your B grade average. Being excused from it for getting good grades is merely a privilege (or so it seems). It doesn't seem to be like a mandatory agreement of some sort.
However... I DO feel that you were dealt with unfairly. You are right. Unfortunately, being right apparently does not excuse you, and did not excuse me either, of taking that final exam.
2007-04-28 14:28:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Girl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I suppose if this "finish with a B - don't take the final" policy is written down anywhere (syllabus), then you're right. However, if it's just up to the instructor's discretion, then if the teacher says you have to take the final - then you'll have to take the final.
Also, try to remember WHY you're in college - not to make grades and just get by... you're there to GET AN EDUCATION and learn - so taking the final is just part of learning.
Personally, I would never let students out of a final exam. I guess I'm just a hard-nose, huh?
2007-04-28 16:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by seadreamer164 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though he excused your absences, you still missed a considerable amount of the class. If the class has a lot of student participation, then he needs to know that you still learned everything that you should have.
He asked for the proof of medical procedures because if you were missing that much class unexcused, he would have kicked you out of the class. You are actually quite lucky that he has been so understanding.
2007-04-28 14:25:12 · answer #5 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, you are in college, and whatever the professor says in his classroom generally goes. Read the syllabus and see what his attendance policy is. But I wouldn't hold your breath. Colleges and universities are not there to cater to anyone, regardless of why they can't attend class. If you don't put in the time, that can't be undone. Be happy with a B or do really well on the final and get an A.
2007-04-28 16:45:18 · answer #6 · answered by Kelli G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While it may be true that you have excused absences, he may include participation as part of his final grading. So in this case, you are wrong. While it may seem unfair, you still should take the final.
If it really bothers you that much, go talk to him about it and explain your side and listen to his side as well. If you still feel that it is unjust, talk to the Dean of Students about it.
2007-04-28 14:23:55 · answer #7 · answered by Lillian M 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are wrong.
If you're not there and you don't take tests, he has no
way of guaging your performance.
He may have wanted proof of your medical procedures
for other reasons than having to do with whether or not
you should take the final.
Many teachers (in fact *MOST* teachers) use
participation as part of how they factor a grade.
Indeed some who claim that they don't, actually
do but think of it differently.
Sounds to me like you won't have any problem with
the final anyways, so what's the problem?
2007-04-28 14:16:48 · answer #8 · answered by Elana 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the dept chair would or won't do something would or won't look at your grade would or won't look at something of the class grades instructor has no standards to apply bell curve... what are you going to do if this backfires & you lose the curved grade (whether you are the sole student this occurs to)?
2016-10-04 01:47:20 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same rules applied at my school.
don't miss so many days next time !
I haven't missed a day of school in 4 years
2007-04-28 14:18:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋