Do you think a college professor has the right to do this?

[Witch Mountain]

During my undergrad I had a few teachers move finals. So teachers can move classes. (In these cases it was a matter of a small class of 10 or so students and the teacher told us that if we didn't want a Friday final so we could leave early we could find another time that worked for all of us and she would move it.)

Last semester, I had this. I'm enrolled in classes on both campuses and two finals were scheduled for the same time (one class actually met from 6-9pm and the final for the other class, which met during the day, had a final scheduled for 8-10 pm!). I spoke to both professors as soon as I got the syllabi to explain I had an issue and followed up with emails.

I took one in that professor's office the morning it was scheduled, then took the daytime class final at 8pm that night. There was a potential third conflict, but the professor noted on the syllabus that she already had conflicts in the finals schedules between the two campuses (she's on of the few that teaches at both in my major) and as a result, she was offering the final during class sessions the last week of classes.

It's been my experience, but I'm not speaking for all students, that when you approach a prof with a situation and the way you would like to solve it, they're far more willing to work with you. In my recent school journey, I've only had one mildly inflexible professor and even he was willing to work with students who approached him before something would conflict.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

But this is community college so I dont think it has to adhere to a Jesuit philosophy.

I graduated from a Jesuit school and many of my profs had attendance policies as well. A lot didnt but the ones that did did not appear to be less tolerant...they just ran their class differently.

Not sure if I am reading this wrong, or need to go back, but my son goes to a Jesuit H.S. LATENESS is NOT tolerated at all. They are taught that commitment to oneself is most important. And what's not tolerated is being late to any class.

If I read this wrong and you are all stating that a Jesuit College would not be tolerant of this policy of coming in late, disregard my post.

Also, no such thing as being late at the Jesuit college here either. Actually whereas my daughter attends a local university and has a more open policy her friends at the Jesuit college must sit through all classes and are not exempt for any reason.

 

[Mkrop]

Not sure if I am reading this wrong, or need to go back, but my son goes to a Jesuit H.S. LATENESS is NOT tolerated at all. They are taught that commitment to oneself is most important. And what's not tolerated is being late to any class.

If I read this wrong and you are all stating that a Jesuit College would not be tolerant of this policy of coming in late, disregard my post.

Also, no such thing as being late at the Jesuit college here either. Actually whereas my daughter attends a local university and has a more open policy her friends at the Jesuit college must sit through all classes and are not exempt for any reason.

Sorry if this was confusing, I was repsonding to a pp who said that tolerance is taught at Jesuit colleges when someone else said that tolerance isnt alway in the real world.

I was pointing out that athough I went to a Jesuit school, that yes taught tolerance, there were still professors who had attendance policies, and many who did not, yet tolerance was still taught.

I dont know if that is any clearer.

 

[RitaZ.]

It's been my experience, but I'm not speaking for all students, that when you approach a prof with a situation and the way you would like to solve it, they're far more willing to work with you. In my recent school journey, I've only had one mildly inflexible professor and even he was willing to work with students who approached him before something would conflict.

Ditto.

I had a similar situation this term. One final exam is scheduled for late morning and the other for early afternoon on the same day, at two different campuses which are 40 to 45 minutes apart. I would have had to pick up my kids from school sometime between the two finals. I talked to one of the professors about it and turns out that several other students had a similar conflict. So, she discussed it with the class and decided to hold 2 final exam sessions to accommodate all the students.

 

[LisaR]

I just had to comment on this because we just encountered a very similar story today.

DD is dual enrolled at our local community college. This is the last week of regular classes and finals are next week. One of her classes does not have a final so the last day was yesterday. Their final grades are already posted online.

My DD has this one student in that class plus she is in one of her Tuesday/Thursday classes. The student came into class today and was livid. Her final grade in the other class is a B yet she got A's on every single paper. She met with the professor this morning before her classes and he said he gave her a B because she chose to come into almost every single class late from day 1. She explained to him that she took the bus and sometimes it was delayed. She couldn't take an earlier bus because she had to get her own child on the school bus. I don't know if she was nice when she spoke to him or if she had an attitude. His response was that she had 16 weeks to let him know why she was always late and she chose not to until it was too late. My DD said she was practically in tears but refused to admit that it was her responsibility to at least notify the professor. One would think she would also consider registering for a later class next semester so she can get there in time. She doesn't have any trouble getting to the T/Th class because that starts later.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Sorry if this was confusing, I was repsonding to a pp who said that tolerance is taught at Jesuit colleges when someone else said that tolerance isnt alway in the real world.

I was pointing out that athough I went to a Jesuit school, that yes taught tolerance, there were still professors who had attendance policies, and many who did not, yet tolerance was still taught.

I dont know if that is any clearer.

I admit I was totally confused. Having a child growing up in a Jesuit lifestyle and seeing how they operate, I can totally attest that being late for class is NOT why they teach tolerance at all. Actually it is totally the opposite for his school and what he is learning. His Jesuit teaching of tolerance would totally keep him from ever walking in late to a class and being disrespectful and his professor's are much harder on him even in High School than DD's college professor's are on her.

 

[TheLists09]

Gotta say as a former adult student, finished my BA at 31, and working off and on again on my masters. No matter how quiet one thinks they are slipping into class, it's disruptive. This type of thing should be discussed well beforehand, and I would say the rest of her class should be aware too, in a more generalized way. It's not just disruptive to the professor.

 

[crashbb]

Another post made me re-think this - could the student actually be Papa Deuce? BCB appears to be his online doppleganger...

I had no idea that BCB was PD.

Given that BCB posts pictures from PD's photobucket account (hover over the picture in the bar thread), I don't think that there is any question about it!

 

[Mkrop]

I admit I was totally confused. Having a child growing up in a Jesuit lifestyle and seeing how they operate, I can totally attest that being late for class is NOT why they teach tolerance at all. Actually it is totally the opposite for his school and what he is learning. His Jesuit teaching of tolerance would totally keep him from ever walking in late to a class and being disrespectful and his professor's are much harder on him even in High School than DD's college professor's are on her.

I agree this was how I was taught....I would not arrive to class late and if something out of my control made me late, I definitely would be asking the teacher to work with me. I would hope for mutual respect from both sides.

 

[bgirldeb]

Given that BCB posts pictures from PD's photobucket account (hover over the picture in the bar thread), I don't think that there is any question about it!

 

[FireDancer]

Given that BCB posts pictures from PD's photobucket account (hover over the picture in the bar thread), I don't think that there is any question about it!

You'd think someone who was going to use multiple screen names would at least sign up for a second free photobucket account.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I admit I was totally confused. Having a child growing up in a Jesuit lifestyle and seeing how they operate, I can totally attest that being late for class is NOT why they teach tolerance at all. Actually it is totally the opposite for his school and what he is learning. His Jesuit teaching of tolerance would totally keep him from ever walking in late to a class and being disrespectful and his professor's are much harder on him even in High School than DD's college professor's are on her.

As the poster who brought up Jesuit schools, my post and the point I was making had NOTHING to do with being late or much to do with the thread in general. I was simply replying to a poster who said colleges do not teach tolerance or fairness and that it is not the role of a college to do so. I pointed out that teaching those values is within the mission of the Society of Jesus, i.e. the Jesuits, and incorporated in their values. It had nothing to do with excusing lateness at all.

Sorry for the confusion...

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

As the poster who brought up Jesuit schools, my post and the point I was making had NOTHING to do with being late or much to do with the thread in general. I was simply replying to a poster who said colleges do not teach tolerance or fairness and that it is not the role of a college to do so. I pointed out that teaching those values is within the mission of the Society of Jesus, i.e. the Jesuits, and incorporated in their values. It had nothing to do with excusing lateness at all.

Sorry for the confusion...

Hey no need to worry (not that you are or should be, jeepers, I need sleep), I totally admit I was the one who was confused. I'm usually an afternoon poster who had to be up really early this morning... Not that it should be an excuse. I was too early for class!!

 

[Cinderella94]

Given that BCB posts pictures from PD's photobucket account (hover over the picture in the bar thread), I don't think that there is any question about it!

You'd think someone who was going to use multiple screen names would at least sign up for a second free photobucket account.

I'm so glad other people noticed that too!

 

[kaytieeldr]

How can the instructor change the class schedule after the semester's started? That could impact students' other classes.

Relatively small morning class, and her mother got very ill during the term. She needed to take a week off, and we as a class voted whether to extend the class time, or add a week. The extra time was preferred by more people.

 

[kamik86]

I just had to comment on this because we just encountered a very similar story today.

DD is dual enrolled at our local community college. This is the last week of regular classes and finals are next week. One of her classes does not have a final so the last day was yesterday. Their final grades are already posted online.

My DD has this one student in that class plus she is in one of her Tuesday/Thursday classes. The student came into class today and was livid. Her final grade in the other class is a B yet she got A's on every single paper. She met with the professor this morning before her classes and he said he gave her a B because she chose to come into almost every single class late from day 1. She explained to him that she took the bus and sometimes it was delayed. She couldn't take an earlier bus because she had to get her own child on the school bus. I don't know if she was nice when she spoke to him or if she had an attitude. His response was that she had 16 weeks to let him know why she was always late and she chose not to until it was too late. My DD said she was practically in tears but refused to admit that it was her responsibility to at least notify the professor. One would think she would also consider registering for a later class next semester so she can get there in time. She doesn't have any trouble getting to the T/Th class because that starts later.

I also have to wonder why this was this big of a deal... I can't think of a reason why a B instead of an A is that bad. I had this happen with one professor in undergrad but this was a professor I couldn't stand and had no reason to bring it up. If it was the difference between a C and a D then yes definitely bring it up. If you are getting reimbursed from work and they have the common policy to only pay if you get a B or above and it is between a B and a C ok bring it up. But I can't think of any reason why an A or B makes a difference.

 

[Jennasis]

You'd think someone who was going to use multiple screen names would at least sign up for a second free photobucket account.

thank GOD somebody else noticed that. I thought I was losing my mind....not that I haven't.

 

[dngnb8]

BTW, this is a community college class we are talking about, not Ivy League or anything.

Does the campus maintain an accreditation? You realize that classes at community colleges transfer to universities, right? Those transferable credits are because they are approved level of education. Just because it isnt in the Ivy League, doesnt mean it is second class. Especially today in this economy. Community Colleges are there for those who cant get scholarships or have parents to pay their way.

To me, it just sounds like a professor that is too full of himself.

Maybe, but to me it sounds like youre rationalizing because of your relationship with the student.

 

[MusiqChic99]

It's rude that she is late.

There is a reason that they put times on classes....even in college.

 

[disneyfan67]

Given that BCB posts pictures from PD's photobucket account (hover over the picture in the bar thread), I don't think that there is any question about it!

Heck, I told you folks about 15 pages ago BCB was PD in disguise. I didn't need proof of the photo bucket account to confirm that. Anyone who has been here for a few years, familiar his posts and his posting method could spot him under any screen name. Put it this way people, if this was a CSI episode, Gil Grissom would have figured out who Papa Deuce was in the first two minutes of show. You wouldn't have even made it past the opening song.