WWYD: My daughter's college professor is constantly cancelling class

[DisneyFan32WI]

She didn't want to say anything at the time because she was afraid the professor would give her a bad grade. She also has anxiety that she takes medication daily for. She often appears timid and has trouble being assertive.

No, I don't think it matters what the reason is for cancelling class. The college is obligated to provide instruction. They should have a Plan B in place for situations like this. It is now over 4 weeks of classes cancelled the are supposed to meet twice a week. They are halfway through the semester.

 

[cabanafrau]

To be blunt, it doesn't matter that she takes daily meds for an anxiety issue. This is the time and the environment for her to take steps to learn to walk through life as an adult. An infant will have a much greater difficulty mastering independent walking if they are picked up every time they fall down on their butt. Many things are learned from hauling one's own behind off the ground. Life's the same way. This is the time and the environment if those skills aren't already in place. Delaying the process is detrimental at this point.

 

[PlutoPony]

OP - so the prof canceling 4 weeks of classes isn't enough for her to get over her timidity and check in with the head of the department on this?
If so, I'd be really concerned about her ability to function in the "real world" after she graduates - I mean this in the best way possible, not sarcastic or snarky.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

She didn't want to say anything at the time because she was afraid the professor would give her a bad grade. She also has anxiety that she takes medication daily for. She often appears timid and has trouble being assertive.

No, I don't think it matters what the reason is for cancelling class. The college is obligated to provide instruction. They should have a Plan B in place for situations like this. It is now over 4 weeks of classes cancelled the are supposed to meet twice a week. They are halfway through the semester.

Has she said that the cancellations are causing her issues with learning the subject matter?

 

[book_junkie]

She didn't want to say anything at the time because she was afraid the professor would give her a bad grade. She also has anxiety that she takes medication daily for. She often appears timid and has trouble being assertive.

No, I don't think it matters what the reason is for cancelling class. The college is obligated to provide instruction. They should have a Plan B in place for situations like this. It is now over 4 weeks of classes cancelled the are supposed to meet twice a week. They are halfway through the semester.

Has she talked to her guidance councilor? Or someone on campus about it that she trusts that's in a position to advise her? Since it's March, I'm thinking it's her second semester there, so hopefully there's someone she can talk to? Even if it's the RA of the dorm? Other students in the class? Send emails?

 

[PlutoPony]

If she's not comfortable going to the head of the department, her academic advisor would be the next best place to go imho. And frankly I'd have started with them weeks ago - especially if this is a required class in my major. The advisor should be a non-threatening type person whose interest is on her graduating.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

The classes being cancelled are heightening her anxiety because she feels she won't be prepared for the next paper, the next quiz, finals, final grade, moving on to the next class, graduation, etc. She is a 4.0 student, but it comes with a hefty price!
This is how the anxiety works. It isn't just the issue at hand. It's about a series of things to follow. I am very proud that she has taken the step to be away at college. It's all about baby steps.
I'll suggest having her talk with her academic counselor. She does meet with her once a semester.

 

[gwynne]

The classes being cancelled are heightening her anxiety because she feels she won't be prepared for the next paper, the next quiz, finals, final grade, moving on to the next class. She is a 4.0 student, but it comes with a price!
This is how the anxiety works. It isn't just the issue at hand. It's about a series of things to follow. I am very proud that she has taken the step to be away at college. It's all about baby steps.
I'll suggest having her talk with her academic counselor. She does meet with her once a semester.

So what is your long term life goal for her?

 

[PlutoPony]

So there's a correlation (or trade-off) of her being a 4.0 student and her anxiety?
What happens if she doesn't maintain a 4.0? Does she lose a scholarship, diminish her chance of getting into grad school? If nothing like that, seems like getting something under a 4.0 for a change could actually be a growth experience. And hence letting her handle this - or not - could ultimately be a really good thing in more ways than one

 

[nugov2]

Just curious and sorry if it has been answered, but is this just a basic gen ed class?

I think this is the 11th hour for your dd as far as learning to deal wit problems that come up. I am very close to my mom and could see sharing with her the way she is with you, even forwarding an email, BUT this is where she would tell me that it is my responsibility to do something about it if I don't like it and anxiety or not, timid or not she has to learn how to handle this situation even if it means just choosing to quietly accept it. Calling the school and trying to solve her problems for her just makes her coping skills worse and will do more harm than good. She is in the grown up world and needs to carry out any plan to deal with this situation on her own.

 

[leebee]

Most colleges don't have "guidance councilors" but every student has an advisor. If your DD is so bothered, she could go talk to her advisor about this. There is also the department chairperson, who probably already knows this prof is canceling classes, as well as the reason for it. If she's worried about going alone or having it held against her by the prof, suggest she talk to the other students in the class and see if they, too, want to do something about this as a group. Don't tell her to go to the Dean, and DON"T call the Dean for her.

Also... I am pretty sure the college won't agree that they are responsible for "providing instruction." They will tell you they are responsible for providing access to education and it's your DD's responsibility to obtain the knowledge provided by this access. This is how college classes work. It's why colleges can offer classes in a variety of format/platforms- independent studies, student research, online courses, as well as physical classes- because the responsibility for obtaining education is on the student. It's not like in high school, where they tell you specifically what you need to know to pass the test. Your DD has a syllabus, handouts, reading assignments, homework assignments. I'd suggest she keep up with the work that was originally assigned for the dates of the cancelled classes- no sense in being behind on the days when the prof IS there- and if the lack of lecture really bothers her, SHE needs to handle it (through the department chairperson).

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Wow - just chiming in to agree with PPs who say that this is a good time to let your daughter figure this stuff out on her own. What happens when (hopefully) she finds a job and her boss calls in sick once or twice or is in constant meetings and not reachable. Will she crumble under the weight of wondering if her work is up to snuff? Or will she think outside the box and go to another authority figure to get validation? Or maybe she will take it upon herself to have a little autonomy? Please try to let her grow up ... please.

 

[Marlyn]

My advice is to wait for Parent Professor Conferences or leave a message for the Professor to call you at home. And when your daughter takes a class that some of the lectures are given by a Grad Student or a paper is graded by a Grad Student, I can't wait for that post.

Parent professor conference? Is that an actual thing or are you being funny? I have two kids in university and I've not heard of anything like that. I would feel awkward going to such a thing.

I have one child who attends university in another country, and one who goes locally and lives at home. Even with the one who lives at home, I only know whether or not he goes to class but not what actually happens when he's at class. The only way I know whether or not he goes is if his truck is parked in front of the house or not. As for the one in another country....couldnt tell you what's going on, except what he tells me. I pay the bills...that's all I'm involved with,

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

It's a 300 level course in her major. She is very academic focused. She isn't your typical young adult at college who likes to get involved in clubs, parties, social events, etc. You can find her at the library or studying. She places her own pressures with maintaining a high GPA.

 

[gwynne]

It's a 300 level course in her major. She is very academic focused. She isn't your typical young adult at college who likes to get involved in clubs, parties, social events, etc. You can find her at the library or studying. She places her own pressures with maintaining a high GPA.

Have you considered that college is a place for personal growth? She will not be able to maintain perfection. It's not possible. Maybe now is the time to start learning about this, with some support.
FWIW, I don't believe there is a "typical" young adult. Some are more social, some are more quiet. Neither is better or worse.

 

[PlutoPony]

She places her own pressures with maintaining a high GPA.

Sounds like her own pressures may be detrimental to her own mental health and happiness.

What does she want you to do? Just make it go away or does she have specific ideas about what she wants you to do for her?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

To be blunt, it doesn't matter that she takes daily meds for an anxiety issue. This is the time and the environment for her to take steps to learn to walk through life as an adult. An infant will have a much greater difficulty mastering independent walking if they are picked up every time they fall down on their butt. Many things are learned from hauling one's own behind off the ground. Life's the same way. This is the time and the environment if those skills aren't already in place. Delaying the process is detrimental at this point.

Why we are starting now with my daughter.

OP--of your daughter is concerned her grade will be compromised, she should be able to go up the chain of command. Since this class cancelling affects other students (for good or for bad), there would be no need for her to be singled out.

And of the prof has HR's okay for what he/she is doing--she can at least stand up for herself and see of the dept can come up with a solution.

I understand your point that she should have the opportunities to attend lectures given that this course is not designed as an independent study course.

You didn't mention what her specific issue is? If she just doesn't like that class is cancelled, that isn't going to be enough when pitted against the likelihood the cancellations are justified. Is she concerned she is going to fail?

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

She has a counselor back here at home she works with for 1.5 hours each week. Perhaps she can focus on some of the college issues with him when she gets back in May. Not having someone to guide and support her during the school year is why she relies on us as parents for situations that are difficult for her to get through on her own. We really aren't sure WHAT she actually needs help with half the time. Sometimes it seems like advice, and other times it seems like she'd rather have us take care of initiating action.

 

[cabanafrau]

It's a 300 level course in her major. She is very academic focused. She isn't your typical young adult at college who likes to get involved in clubs, parties, social events, etc. You can find her at the library or studying. She places her own pressures with maintaining a high GPA.

That's not as unusual or special as you might like to believe. End of the day, whatever her reality is, she has to learn how to live her life within it, under her own steam. Period. Presumably she's studying to have a career. One doesn't work to achieve the credentials in life to be a butcher, a baker or candlestick maker and have mom on hand to oversee the rest. The butcher has to go home, mow the lawn, deal with the cable guy, make dinner, etc. It would be a horrible shock to the system to only learn those kind of life realities when you're beginning your career.

 

[Flight]

We pay out of state tuition, and my daughter's professor is constantly sending out last minute emails about cancelling class. One reason was he was called out of town, but the rest are vague. I'd say that this semester alone, 7 classes have been cancelled. The class meets two times per week. That is over 3 weeks worth of class cancelled so far, and the semester doesn't end until May!

We pay $20,000 a year for her to get an education. The professor isn't making up any of these cancelled days. I'm angry!

A college advertises itself as a place for young men and women to attend in order to learn from the excellent professors on staff. Very large sums of money are paid for that privilege.

But it seem there is little actual learning because a professor is continually absent from the classroom. This is a classroom where significant money was paid to attend. A classroom where promises were made that an education would be given.

The result - A chorus of condemnation for a parent's concern. Not that the student is being denied the education that was promised by the promoters of this school. Not that money paid for an education that is not forthcoming. No. Instead an endless discussion of helicopter parents. These is little condemnation of college that does not provide what is expected and required.