Can we get on probation?

Question

I had an instructor insult me the other day when all I did was go to her for help. I didn't say anything to her about it then but I plan to say something once the final grade is in and I did not give her a good eval when the school asked to rate the class. I think her behavior was totally unwarranted and that is all I want to tell her. I was just wondering if I can get put on probation for this?

Answer 1

No - probation is for academic performance, not behavior. You cannot be put on academic probation for complaining about anything.

However, I would suggest that you reconsider your reaction to her comment a little bit. If she said, "You are an idiot and don't deserve to be here," then yes, what she said was inappropriate, and putting the comment in the evaluations was the right thing to do. I find, though, that on the few occasions that students have complained that I, or one of my colleagues, have insulted them, the problem was with their interpretation of what we said, rather than what we really said. For example, years ago I told a student, at the beginning of the semester when I didn't know anyone yet, that her paper was so beautifully written that I had googled it to make sure it wasn't plagiarized (and it was not). I meant that as a compliment on her writing, but she took it as an attack on her character. Most of my colleagues can tell similar stories. Sometimes we use the wrong words, just as you do.

Answer 2

Don't tell her a thing. That will not serve any good purpose. Go see a department head or an academic dean and report her. That probably won't do much, unless several other students have also reported her in the past. In any case, don't say anything to her about it, since that promotes conflict and in such a situation, you would wind up being the clear loser.

Answer 3

I think I understand what you are talking about but you should of been a little more specific on the question.